Tag: Saddleback Summer Adventures

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 24, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Mt. Abram Bike Park Now Open:

    For those thrill seekers, you’re in luck! Mt. Abram’s Bike Park is now open! For all the important information surrounding the bike park, tickets, and trail reports, head over to their website, linked below.

    mtabram.com

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Plus, check out our Featured Events page where we dive deeper into the events we don’t want you to miss!

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Best Of Maine 2024 VotingMay 15June 15Every Day
    Trails In The Valley @ Lost ValleyMay 17October 25Every Friday
    Mt. Abram Bike Park Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Sugarloaf Golf Course Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    The Pub @ Saddleback Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Rangeley Birding FestivalJune 7June 9Three Days
    Black Mountain of Maine Golf TournamentJune 15June 15One Day
    White Nose Pete Fly Fishing FestivalJune 15June 15One Day
    43nd Annual Sugarloaf Ski Club Classic Golf TournamentJune 21June 21One Day
    2nd Annual WinterKids Mountain Mayhem @ Mt. AbramJune 22June 22One Day
    Hallie’s Hustle 5K Run/Walk @ Black Mountain of MaineJune 23June 23One Day
    Sunday River Scenic Lift Rides OpenJune 27October 13Every Day

    Sugarloaf Golf Course / Tin Mountain Roundup:

    Sugarloaf Golf Course will open on Friday, May 24, for the season. The golf page is filled with great information golfers need. Plus, don’t miss the Tin Mountain Roundup happening all weekend at the course. Any golfer who brings three or more canded, non-perishable foods, you will be able to play 18 holes for just $49, with cart included, during the course’s opening weekend. Preview the course and book your tee time with the link below:

    sugarloaf.com

    Trails In The Valley:

    Lace up your running shoes and drive to Lost Valley tonight for their first Trails In The Valley event, a weekly running club that takes place every Friday at 6:00pm. Led by our experienced run leaders, Paula & Jason, this group trail experience is absolutely free and open to all. Learn more about this event on their website, linked below.

    lostvalleyski.com

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    New Merchandise:

    We’ve just added more merchandise to our webiste. Perfect for Father’s Day… which is coming right up! Check out a list of great gifts for a fellow skier.

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    Pleasant Mountain announced The Summit Express. After 86 years, the mountain will finally add a high-speed, detachable quad to their lift lineup. The lift, which is a Doppelmayr refurbished High-Speed Quad, will take skiers and riders up to the top in under 5 minutes. The lift came from Sunday River’s Jordan Express lift and will be installed this summer.

    Read all the stats about this exciting lift on their website.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Advertisements

    Best Of Maine 2024:

    It’s that time of year again to start voting for the best places in Maine. Voting ends on June 15, but you can vote every day until then. Here is a rundown of the things you might be interested in:

    Golf Course – Travel & Play:

    – Sugarloaf Golf Course

    Ski Mountain – Travel & Play:

    – Camden Snow Bowl
    – Pleasant Mountain
    – Saddleback Mountain
    – Sugarloaf
    – Sunday River

    Statewide Lift Construction:

    Across the state, there are three mountains that are installing chairlifts. Pleasant Mountain is installing a refurbished Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad, BigRock Mountain is installing a new Doppelmayr Quad, and Lost Valley is installing a used Hall Double Chair.

    Please Note: Due to lift construction, hiking at Pleasant Mountain is currently prohibited.

    Pleasant Mountain:

    As of Wed, May 22

    On Wednesday, Pleasant Mountain posted a video to their Instagram account showing them blowing up part of the Jack Spratt trail to make way for a road so Doppelmayr can safely transport components of the new lift to the summit station.

    BigRock Mountain:

    As of Mon, April 1

    Since receiving the delivery of chairs and cushions on April 1, the mountain hasn’t posted any new information surrounding the new lift.

    Lost Valley:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Lost Valley posted some pictures of progress as well as a video that explained what’s happening. Currently, crews are working to remove the existing bearings to replace them before building the lift. This will help maintenance as bearings typically last 7-10 years.

    Advertisements

    The Pub At Saddleback Opens Today:

    The Pub at Saddleback is now open for the summer. With a new menu, which you can view using the link below, will have you itching to come up to Saddleback. Make note of the new summer hours below.

    Thursday – Saturday: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
    Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

    saddlebackmaine.com

    NEW Featured Events Page:

    Check out the latest page on the website: Featured Events. This is a page where we share the big events happening at Maine ski areas that you don’t want to miss! Check it out below:

    mainelyskiing.com/featured-events

    Advertisements

    Adding Their 3rd Double:

    Lost Valley in Auburn will be installing a used Hall Double on the Coyote Trail marking 3 double chairs at the ski area. The lift comes from Connecticut’s Mt. Southington and will fill a much-needed void on the left side of the mountain. Chair #3 will be installed this summer.

    The Trails Are Going Higher:

    The Bike Park Crew at Saddleback have been quietly at work on some upper mountain terrain. The mountain’s marketing team posted to Facebook on Wednesday that they will offer a double black diamond downhill track that will follow the fall line of Lower Tightline. You can access the new trail, named Bronco, near the base of the Kennebago Quad. To get up to the start of the trail, you’ll need to use pedal power, but the post hinted at more information soon. Stay tuned… To view the trail and read the full post, click the link below.

    facebook.com/saddlebackmaine

    Advertisements

    Summer Activities Page:

    As the days get warmer, we’re starting to think about summer activities. There’s a lot to do in the Western Maine mountains during the “off-season”, and we want to lay it all out for you. Click over to the Summer Activities page to see the rundown, linked below!

    mainelyskiing.com

    A More Comfortable Ride:

    BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill will be installing a brand new Doppelmayr Quad this summer. The new lift, which will have the same name as the double that currently sits in its place, will be called Gemini. BigRock started fundraising for the project back in 2021 but has secured enough for the payment to Doppelmayr. The surveying took place last summer, and construction is expected to start in the spring.

    Read more on this project and donate to help BigRock make the Northern Maine ski experience even better on their website below.

    bigrockmaine.com

    Advertisements

    Season Pass Sale:

    Many resorts have already made their 2024-25 season passes available for purchase. If you want the best deal with the best perks, you need to purchase now. Plus, look to see if purchasing a pass means you can ski the rest of this season with it! For all the pass info and pricing, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    Start preparing for next season by stocking up on the best gear! Pro tip: Search around your local shops for amazing deals on winter appeal during the summer.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

    Last Chair:

    With some rain and thunder storms rolling in near the end of the week, we saw some intresting weather. The good news is that’s gone and the weekend is still going to be great!

    Weather:

    We’re looking forward to a great Memorial Day Weekend in the Mountains of Maine. With the majority of summer activities starting or resuming this weekend, there isn’t going to be a shortage of things to do. Keep an eye on the weather as Monday is looking like some rain near the end of the day. Fingers crossed it moves out to Monday night or Tuesday.

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:Monday:
    High:64   65   70   61   
    Low:45   42   50    51   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Remember and Honor ❤️🤍💙

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 17, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Sunday River Golf Course Now Open:

    Today is Sunday River Golf Course’s Opening Day. The course will be open this weekend before closing Mon-Thurs, reopening for good on Friday, May 24. Book tee times by following the link below.

    sundayriver.com

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Plus, check out our Featured Events page where we dive deeper into the events we don’t want you to miss!

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Sunday River Golf Course Opening DayMay 17May 17One Day
    Trails In The Valley @ Lost ValleyMay 17October 25Every Friday
    Mt. Abram Bike Park Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Sugarloaf Golf Course Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    The Pub @ Saddleback Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Rangeley Birding FestivalJune 7June 9Three Days
    Black Mountain of Maine Golf TournamentJune 15June 15One Day
    White Nose Pete Fly Fishing FestivalJune 15June 15One Day
    43nd Annual Sugarloaf Ski Club Classic Golf TournamentJune 21June 21One Day
    2nd Annual WinterKids Mountain Mayhem @ Mt. AbramJune 22June 22One Day
    Hallie’s Hustle 5K Run/Walk @ Black Mountain of MaineJune 23June 23One Day
    Sunday River Scenic Lift Rides OpenJune 27October 13Every Day

    Trails In The Valley:

    Lace-up your running shoes and drive to Lost Valley tonight for their first Trails In The Valley event, a weekly running club that takes place every Friday at 6:00pm. Led by our experienced run leaders, Paula & Jason, this group trail experience is absolutely free and open to all. Learn more about this event on their website, linked below.

    lostvalleyski.com

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    This week, Pleasant Mountain announced The Summit Express. After 86 years, the mountain will finally add a high-speed, detachable quad to their lift lineup. The lift, which is a Doppelmayr refurbished High-Speed Quad, will take skiers and riders up to the top in under 5 minutes. The lift came from Sunday River’s Jordan Express lift and will be installed this summer.

    Read all the stats about this exciting lift on their website.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Advertisements

    Mt. Abram Bike Park Opening Day:

    For those thrill seekers, you’re in luck! Mt. Abram’s Bike Park is opening on Friday, May 24. For all the important information surrounding the bike park, tickets, and trail reports, head over to their website, linked below.

    mtabram.com

    Sugarloaf Golf Course / Tin Mountain Roundup:

    Sugarloaf Golf Course will open on Friday, May 24, for the season. The golf page is filled with great information golfers need. Plus, don’t miss the Tin Mountain Roundup happening all weekend at the course. Any golfer who brings three or more canded, non-perishable foods, you will be able to play 18 holes for just $49, with cart included, during the course’s opening weekend. Preview the course and book your tee time with the link below:

    sugarloaf.com

    Advertisements

    Statewide Lift Construction:

    Across the state, there are three mountains that are installing chairlifts. Pleasant Mountain is installing a refurbished Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad, BigRock Mountain is installing a new Doppelmayr Quad, and Lost Valley is installing a used Hall Double Chair.

    Pleasant Mountain:

    As of Fri, May 10

    On Friday, Pleasant Mountain posted some pictures of the mountain receiving a new Haul Rope from Fatzer.

    BigRock Mountain:

    As of Mon, April 1

    Since receiving the delivery of chairs and cushions on April 1, the mountain hasn’t posted any new information surrounding the new lift.

    Lost Valley:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Lost Valley posted some pictures of progress as well as a video that explained what’s happening. Currently, crews are working to remove the existing bearings to replace them before building the lift. This will help maintenance as bearings typically last 7-10 years.

    Saddleback’s The Pub Open Soon:

    The Pub at Saddleback will be open for the summer on Friday, May 24. With a new menu, which you can view using the link below, will have you itching to come up to Saddleback. Make note of the new summer hours below.

    Thursday – Saturday: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
    Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Advertisements

    NEW Featured Events Page:

    Check out the latest page on the website: Featured Events. This is a page where we share the big events happening at Maine ski areas that you don’t want to miss! Check it out below:

    mainelyskiing.com/featured-events

    Get Ready For Summer:

    As the days get warmer, we’re starting to think about summer activities. There’s a lot to do in the Western Maine mountains during the “off-season”, and we want to lay it all out for you. Click over to the Summer Activities page to see the rundown, linked below!

    mainelyskiing.com

    Advertisements

    A More Comfortable Ride:

    BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill will be installing a brand new Doppelmayr Quad this summer. The new lift, which will have the same name as the double that currently sits in its place, will be called Gemini. BigRock started fundraising for the project back in 2021 but has secured enough for the payment to Doppelmayr. The surveying took place last summer, and construction is expected to start in the spring.

    Read more on this project and donate to help BigRock make the Northern Maine ski experience even better on their website below.

    bigrockmaine.com

    Season Pass Sale:

    Many resorts have already made their 2024-25 season passes available for purchase. If you want the best deal with the best perks, you need to purchase now. Plus, look to see if purchasing a pass means you can ski the rest of this season with it! For all the pass info and pricing, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Advertisements

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    Start preparing for next season by stocking up on the best gear! Pro tip: Search around your local shops for amazing deals on winter appeal during the summer.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

    Last Chair:

    With the weather we’ve had this past week, the summer events and activities are starting to ramp up again. While many locals refer to this time as “mud season” the warm temps and sunshine should dry everything up nicely.

    Weather:

    With the temps in the 70’s today, get out and enjoy the warm weather – maybe it’s a tee time at Sunday River. While Saturday will bring rain, Sunday is back with sunny skies and temps in the mid 60’s. We’re looking at a great weekend ahead. Maybe pack some bugspray to avoid the black flies.

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:70   61   66   
    Low:51   50   48   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Enjoy the sunshine!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 10, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Sugarloaf Marathon:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K is happening on Sunday, May 12. Just because the event registration has closed doesn’t mean you can’t go support the runners! For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Plus, check out our Featured Events page where we dive deeper into the events we don’t want you to miss!

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Mother’s Day Event @ Jordan SpaMay 11May 11One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon & 15KMay 12May 12One Day
    Mother’s Day Brunch @ Sunday RiverMay 12May 12One Day
    Sunday River Golf Course Opening DayMay 17May 17One Day
    Mt. Abram Bike Park Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Sugarloaf Golf Course Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    The Pub @ Saddleback Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Rangeley Birding FestivalJune 7June 9Three Days
    Black Mountain of Maine Golf TournamentJune 15June 15One Day
    White Nose Pete Fly Fishing FestivalJune 15June 15One Day
    43nd Annual Sugarloaf Ski Club Classic Golf TournamentJune 21June 21One Day
    2nd Annual WinterKids Mountain Mayhem @ Mt. AbramJune 22June 22One Day
    Hallie’s Hustle 5K Run/Walk @ Black Mountain of MaineJune 23June 23One Day
    Sunday River Scenic Lift Rides OpenJune 27October 13Every Day

    Mother’s Day Activities:

    Sunday River is packing this weekend full of events for the moms! On Saturday, they are opening the Jordan Spa for moms and on Sunday, Mother’s Day Brunch. Learn more on their events page, linked below.

    sundayriver.com

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    This week, Pleasant Mountain announced The Summit Express. After 86 years, the mountain will finally add a high-speed, detachable quad to their lift lineup. The lift, which is a Doppelmayr refurbished High-Speed Quad, will take skiers and riders up to the top in under 5 minutes. The lift came from Sunday River’s Jordan Express lift and will be installed this summer.

    Read all the stats about this exciting lift on their website.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Advertisements

    Sunday River Golf Course Opening Date:

    Time to tee off at Sunday River! The Sunday River Golf Course opens on Friday, May 17. Fore all the important information and to book a tee time, click over to their website.

    sundayriver.com

    Statewide Lift Construction:

    Across the state, there are three mountains that are installing chairlifts. Pleasant Mountain is installing a refurbished Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad, BigRock Mountain is installing a new Doppelmayr Quad, and Lost Valley is installing a used Hall Double Chair.

    Pleasant Mountain:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Pleasant Mountain posted some pictures of the progress. Currently, the towers are all down as well as the drive/return terminals.

    BigRock Mountain:

    As of Mon, April 1

    Since receiving the delivery of chairs and cushions on April 1, the mountain hasn’t posted any new information surrounding the new lift.

    Lost Valley:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Lost Valley posted some pictures of progress as well as a video that explained what’s happening. Currently, crews are working to remove the existing bearings to replace them before building the lift. This will help maintenance as bearings typically last 7-10 years.

    Advertisements

    NEW Featured Events Page:

    Check out the latest page on the website: Featured Events. This is a page where we share the big events happening at Maine ski areas that you don’t want to miss! Check it out below:

    mainelyskiing.com/featured-events

    Get Ready For Summer:

    As the days get warmer, we’re starting to think about summer activities. There’s a lot to do in the Western Maine mountains during the “off-season”, and we want to lay it all out for you. Click over to the Summer Activities page to see the rundown, linked below!

    mainelyskiing.com

    Advertisements

    A More Comfortable Ride:

    BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill will be installing a brand new Doppelmayr Quad this summer. The new lift, which will have the same name as the double that currently sits in its place, will be called Gemini. BigRock started fundraising for the project back in 2021 but has secured enough for the payment to Doppelmayr. The surveying took place last summer, and construction is expected to start in the spring.

    Read more on this project and donate to help BigRock make the Northern Maine ski experience even better on their website below.

    bigrockmaine.com

    Season Pass Sale:

    Many resorts have already made their 2024-25 season passes available for purchase. If you want the best deal with the best perks, you need to purchase now. Plus, look to see if purchasing a pass means you can ski the rest of this season with it! For all the pass info and pricing, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Advertisements

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    Start preparing for next season by stocking up on the best gear! Pro tip: Search around your local shops for amazing deals on winter appeal during the summer.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

    Last Chair:

    After a week without skiing, the summer events and activities are starting to ramp up again soon. While many locals refrere to this time as “mud season” the warm temps and sunshine should dry everything up nicely.

    Weather:

    It’s looking like a great weekend on the weather side of things with temps in the 50’s. While Mother’s Day is looking cloudy, the warm temps will be nice for getting outside – maybe to watch a part of the Sugarloaf Marathon!

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:57   53   54   
    Low:35   36   38   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Wishing All The Moms Happy Mother’s Day!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (May 3, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!

    Mountain Report:

    Mountain NameTrails OpenPercent Open
    Saddleback0 / 680%
    Sugarloaf73 / 17641%
    Sunday River0 / 1390%
    Pleasant Mountain0 / 470%

    Trail of the Day: Bridle Chain (Sugarloaf)

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Plus, check out our Featured Events page where we dive deeper into the events we don’t want you to miss!

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Lost Valley Open HouseMay 4May 4One Day
    Sugarloaf’s Closing DayMay 5May 5One Day
    Mother’s Day Event @ Jordan SpaMay 11May 11One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon & 15KMay 12May 12One Day
    Mother’s Day Brunch @ Sunday RiverMay 12May 12One Day
    Mt. Abram Bike Park Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Sugarloaf Golf Course Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    The Pub @ Saddleback Opening DayMay 24May 24One Day
    Rangeley Birding FestivalJune 7June 9Three Days
    Black Mountain of Maine Golf TournamentJune 15June 15One Day
    White Nose Pete Fly Fishing FestivalJune 15June 15One Day
    43nd Annual Sugarloaf Ski Club Classic Golf TournamentJune 21June 21One Day
    2nd Annual WinterKids Mountain Mayhem @ Mt. AbramJune 22June 22One Day
    Hallie’s Hustle 5K Run/Walk @ Black Mountain of MaineJune 23June 23One Day
    Sunday River Scenic Lift Rides OpenJune 27October 13Every Day

    Closing Weekend at Sugarloaf:

    On Sunday, May 5, Sugarloaf will send the final chair of the season up the SuperQuad at 3:50 p.m. They’ll have live music on The Beach from Jordan Kaulbach on Saturday 12pm-3pm and the Beach Bar open 12pm-4pm Friday through Sunday. Learn more below.

    sundayriver.com

    Open House at Lost Valley:

    Don’t miss Lost Valley’s Open House happening on Saturday, May 4, from 11:00-3:00. With vendors, music, and food, you won’t want to miss this event! Learn more by clicking the link below.

    lostvalleyski.com

    Advertisements

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    This week, Pleasant Mountain announced The Summit Express. After 86 years, the mountain will finally add a high-speed, detachable quad to their lift lineup. The lift, which is a Doppelmayr refurbished High-Speed Quad, will take skiers and riders up to the top in under 5 minutes. The lift came from Sunday River’s Jordan Express lift and will be installed this summer.

    Read all the stats about this exciting lift on their website.

    pleasantmountain.com

    Statewide Lift Construction:

    Across the state, there are three mountains that are installing chairlifts. Pleasant Mountain is installing a refurbished Doppelmayr High-Speed Quad, BigRock Mountain is installing a new Doppelmayr Quad, and Lost Valley is installing a used Hall Double Chair.

    Pleasant Mountain:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Pleasant Mountain posted some pictures of the progress. Currently, the towers are all down as well as the drive/return terminals.

    BigRock Mountain:

    As of Mon, April 1

    Since receiving the delivery of chairs and cushions on April 1, the mountain hasn’t posted any new information surrounding the new lift.

    Lost Valley:

    As of Wed, May 1

    On Wednesday, Lost Valley posted some pictures of progress as well as a video that explained what’s happening. Currently, crews are working to remove the existing bearings to replace them before building the lift. This will help maintenance as bearings typically last 7-10 years.

    Advertisements

    NEW Featured Events Page:

    Check out the latest page on the website: Featured Events. This is a page where we share the big events happening at Maine ski areas that you don’t want to miss! Check it out below:

    mainelyskiing.com/featured-events

    Get Ready For Summer:

    As the days get warmer, we’re starting to think about summer activities. There’s a lot to do in the Western Maine mountains during the “off-season”, and we want to lay it all out for you. Click over to the Summer Activities page to see the rundown, linked below!

    mainelyskiing.com

    Advertisements

    A More Comfortable Ride:

    BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill will be installing a brand new Doppelmayr Quad this summer. The new lift, which will have the same name as the double that currently sits in its place, will be called Gemini. BigRock started fundraising for the project back in 2021 but has secured enough for the payment to Doppelmayr. The surveying took place last summer, and construction is expected to start in the spring.

    Read more on this project and donate to help BigRock make the Northern Maine ski experience even better on their website below.

    bigrockmaine.com

    Season Pass Sale:

    Many resorts have already made their 2024-25 season passes available for purchase. If you want the best deal with the best perks, you need to purchase now. Plus, look to see if purchasing a pass means you can ski the rest of this season with it! For all the pass info and pricing, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Advertisements

    Sugarloaf Marathon:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K is happening on Sunday, May 12. Just because the event registration has closed doesn’t mean you can’t go support the runners! For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    Start preparing for next season by stocking up on the best gear! Pro tip: Search around your local shops for amazing deals on winter appeal during the summer.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

    Advertisements

    Last Chair:

    A part from the slightly cooler temps and some occasional thawed precipitation, this week was another one for the books. If you’re wanting to ski, this weekend is it for the 2023-24 ski season.

    Weather:

    “Hey Siri, play Final Countdown”. It’s the last weekend of the 2023-24 ski season. Make it count as Sugarloaf is closing on Sunday. When out on the hill, always be ready for spring conditions. Check the mountain lift status page before heading up to the mountain, linked below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:61   59   53   
    Low:40   39   41   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Who’s Got Last Chair?

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (April 12, 2024)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Weekly Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox at the end of every week to highlight what’s happening with your Maine ski resort!

    Mountain Report:

    Mountain NameTrails OpenPercent Open
    Saddleback
    *Closing Weekend*
    68 / 68100%
    Sugarloaf158 / 17690%
    Sunday River83 / 13960%
    Pleasant Mountain0 / 470%

    Trail of the Day: Red Devil (Saddleback)

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Plus, check out our Featured Events page where we dive deeper into the events we don’t want you to miss!

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Sugarloaf Reggae FestApril 11April 14Four Days
    Pond-A-Palooza @ Sunday RiverApril 13April 13One Day
    Closing Day @ SaddlebackApril 14April 14One Day
    Sunday River Season Pass Holder Appreciation LunchApril 14April 14One Day
    The Great Tailgate @ Sunday RiverApril 14April 14One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon Deadline to RegisterApril 15April 15One Day
    Black Mountain of Maine Season Pass Prices IncreaseApril 16April 16One Day
    ’24 East Coast Pond Skimming Championship @ SugarloafApril 20April 20One Day
    Smalls To The Wall @ Smalls FallsApril 20April 20One Day
    Saddleback Mountain Season Pass Prices IncreaseApril 22April 22One Day
    Sugarloaf Season Pass Holder BBQApril 27April 27One Day
    Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Pleasant Mountain Season Pass Prices IncraseApril 30April 30One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon & 15KMay 12May 12One Day

    Reggae Fest at Sugarloaf:

    Join Sugarloaf for the 36th Annual Sugarloaf Reggae Festival, presented by Baxter Outdoors, on April 11-14, 2024. Prepare yourself for four days of music and non-stop parties at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain with two amazing headliners: John Brown’s Body and Long Beach Dub All Stars. The biggest party on the East Coast consists of two nights of music in the King Pine room, two days of outside entertainment on The Beach, three nights of music in The Widowmaker, reggae DJs at Bullwinkle’s, and more. Learn more and register below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Sunday River Pond-A-Pooloza:

    The Pond-A-Pooloza is happening once again this year on Saturday, April 13. Registration is free, but to secure a spot, head to the Welcome Center at South Ridge Lodge between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to sign the dotted line and get your bib number. Costumes weigh heavy on your score, so come suited up in anything but a wet suit (unless you’re a wimp)! Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall scores, plus best costume and biggest splash! Learn more below.

    sundayriver.com

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    Sunday River Passholder Lunch:

    Sunday River is showing their appreation to their passholders on Sunday, April 14. Enjoy lunch on them down at the South Ridge Lodge from 11am-1pm. This event is for anyone with a 2023-24 or a 2024-25 season pass. To purchase your pass, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Going Up Is Getting Faster:

    This week, Pleasant Mountain announced The Summit Express. After 86 years, the mountain will finally add a high-speed, detachable quad to their lift lineup. The lift, which is a Doppelmayr refurbished High-Speed Quad, will take skiers and riders up to the top in under 5 minutes. The lift came from Sunday River’s Jordan Express lift and will be installed this summer.

    Read all the stats about this exciting lift on their website.

    pleasantmountain.com

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    BMOM Season Passes:

    Black Mountain of Maine Season Passes are going up in price on Tuesday, April 16. For the lowest rate, you need to purchase now! Shop passes and get the scoop below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    3rd Annual Hill Climb:

    The 3rd. Annual Hill Climb at Saddleback has recently opened for registration, so be as quick as a ski bunny and register! The Hill Climb is on Friday & Saturday, April 19-20, 2024. This event grows every year and brings in smiling faces from all over New England. It is definitely something you do not want to miss! Learn more below!

    saddlebackmaine.com

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    East Coast Pond Skimming Championship:

    Do you have what it takes to be the best in the East? Head over to Sugarloaf on Saturday, April 20, for their annual pond skimming championship. Learn more about this event by visiting their website below.

    sugarloaf.com

    NEW Featured Events Page:

    Check out the latest page on the website: Featured Events. This is a page where we share the big events happening at Maine ski areas that you don’t want to miss! Check it out below:

    mainelyskiing.com/featured-events

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    A More Comfortable Ride:

    BigRock Mountain in Mars Hill will be installing a brand new Doppelmayr Quad this summer. The new lift, which will have the same name as the double that currently sits in its place, will be called Gemini. BigRock started fundraising for the project back in 2021 but has secured enough for the payment to Doppelmayr. The surveying took place last summer, and construction is expected to start in the spring.

    Read more on this project and donate to help BigRock make the Northern Maine ski experience even better on their website below.

    bigrockmaine.com

    Season Pass Sale:

    Many resorts have already made their 2024-25 season passes available for purchase. If you want the best deal with the best perks, you need to purchase now. Plus, look to see if purchasing a pass means you can ski the rest of this season with it! For all the pass info and pricing, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

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    Sugarloaf Marathon Registration Open:

    The Sugarloaf Marathon and 15K registration is now open. Thankfully, you have time to prepare for the race, as the deadline to sign up is April 15. For more information on the races, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Photo: Maine Drone Imaging

    Mainely Skiing Gear Guide:

    It’s been a long time in the making, but I’m extremely excited to share our gear guide page with you. Complete with beginner, intermediate, and expert pages filled with the appropriate gear for each level. Check it out by clicking the link below.

    mainelysking.com/gear-guide

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    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    This past week we said farwell to Pleasant Mountain as they ended their season on Monday, April 8. Side note – for those who got to see the eclipse… WOW! On the bright side, when we return to the Bridgton Mountain next ski season, the skier experience will be totally different thanks to the high-speed quad they are installing in the off season.

    Weather:

    While the snow from earlier in the week was a nice boost, the rain we’ve gotten off and on since Wednesday has definitely hurt morale. I don’t expect the mountains to be affected that much by the rain, just be aware for spring conditions. Check the mountain lift status page before heading up to the mountain, linked below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:52   46   52   
    Low:41   33   35   
    Based out of Rangeley

    Thanks for a great season, Saddleback!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (September 15, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Maine Foliage Report:

    The Maine Foliage Report brought to you by MaineFoliage.com

    The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) fall foliage spokesperson Gale Ross has announced the start of foliage season throughout the state. The first 2023 Maine Fall Foliage Report, issued each Wednesday throughout the foliage season, reports very little color change throughout the state.

    “I like to remind folks that the color change depends on the weather as we advance into fall. We rely on the cooler temperatures and shorter days to enhance the progression of color”

    This Week’s Foliage Outlook

    “This summer, Maine received a considerable amount of rainfall which will enhance the fall colors, unlike the past two seasons when the state’s forests were impacted by summer drought. Minimal defoliation in certain tree species may impact color in some areas due to the wetter than normal summer, but it should not have a significant impact on our foliage season,” said Gale Ross, Maine’s fall foliage spokesperson.

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Brunch In The PubJuly 9September 24Every Sunday
    Northwoods Gravel Grind AfterpartySeptember 9September 9One Day
    Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ SugarloafOctober 1October 1One Day
    Sugarloaf HomecomingOctober 6October 8Three Days
    Oktoberfest 2023 @ SaddlebackOctober 7October 7One Day
    Sunday River Fall FestivalOctober 7October 8Two Days

    XTERRA Trail Run:

    Join Sugarloaf on Sep 30 – Oct 1 for the XTERRA Trail Run World Series. Sugarloaf Mountain has been chosen as the pinnacle event for the  XTERRA Trail Run World Series.  A weekend-long trail running festival that will see top elite and amateur runners compete for $10,000 in prize money and XTERRA championship crowns in both full and half marathon distances.  Live music, great food, and family entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the weekend, with 5K and 10K trail runs, and races for kids to ensure everybody can get involved. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Big Squaw Mountain Still Needs Your Help:

    Big Squaw Mountain, now called Big Moose Mountain in Greenville, Maine needs your help. The mountain has been working hard to reclaim the upper mountain trails and bring them back to skiable trails. This is only made possible due to their support on GoFundMe. The mountain has raised about 30% of their goal of $60,000. If you’ve skied here before the upper mountain closed in 2004, you know it was a special experience. You can help bring this back by donating to the mountain’s GoFundMe. Click the link below to see the money raised and donate.

    gofundme.com

    Scenic Lift Rides:

    Scenic Lift Rides are now open at Sugarloaf and Sunday River! Take a ride up the Chondola at Sunday River or the SuperQuad at Sugarloaf. Click the respective links to learn more about catching the chair.

    The Chondola is dog, kid, and grandparent-friendly, so you’ll want to pack up your whole family for this scenic adventure. Lift rides are available from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays from early July to mid-October. You can buy tickets online in advance, but will need to pick up your tickets upon arrival. You can also purchase tickets on-site at the various lodges and base areas. Lift tickets will be issued until 3:30PM or until capacity is reached. If you plan to ride the lift back to the bottom, please load before 4PM. For more information, visit the links below.

    sundayriver.com
    sugarloaf.com

    Oktoberfest 5k Signups:

    It’s that time again to start thinking about the fall. After waiting, for what seems like forever, we finally have warm weather. If you’re looking to cool down a little and think about the fall, the Saddleback 5k signups are now open.

    Registration & Timeline:
    • Registration Location: The registration area is located in front of the MAIN BASE LODGE. There is plenty of free parking.
    • Bib/T-shirt Packet pick-up will be on race day beginning at 8:30 am
    • The race begins at 10:00 AM.
    • Registration Fee $40
    • The requested T-shirt size cannot be guaranteed after September 20
    • The top 3 male/female finishers will receive prizes.
    • No dogs allowed
    • The lift will not spin for rides to the top during the 5k.  

    For more information and to sign up for the race, click the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Fall Activities:

    Check out the latest on the Summer Activities page on our website. This page gives access to all the incredible activities you can do in the mountains of Maine. From mountain biking, to hiking, swimming, and golfing, there is something for everyone. Check it out on the home page or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Saddleback Bike Park Open:

    The Saddleback Bike Park is back open! Let’s all do a little dance to stop the rain… I mean, it’s a suggestion. Anyway, the sun has come out once again, which allowed for the trails to dry up a bit and the crews to get back out and touch them up. The riding will be a little muddy still, but never-the-less fun!

    They will be spinning their South Branch Quad Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:47 pm. (We know it’s a weird time). This is to maximize your time outside and ride the newest summer project for yourself. During the winter months, when the mountain is spinning all six of their lifts, closing at 3:40 pm isn’t that big of a deal – there are other ways to ski until 4:00 pm. With this, however, the lift is moving slightly slower to allow the use of foot traffic.

    The MTB crew is only getting started, and there are already plans to grow. In the meantime, check out their progress and purchase a pass to see for yourself by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Sugarloaf Making Progress:

    The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.

    The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails: Bucksaw, Feller Buncher, Chipper, Hatchet, Whistle Punk, Beaver Tail, Knot Bumper, Gandy Dancer, Cutter, West Mtn. Crosscut, Twitcher, and Yarder. Although the difficulty ratings haven’t come out yet, I expect it to be around greens and blues with some blacks mixed in to keep things interesting.

    Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.

    facebook.com/sugarloaf

    sugarloaf.com

    The Barker 6 Mix:

    Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr and is set to be complete by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.

    As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.

    sundayriver.com

    Facebook Video

    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    With all the rain we’ve gotten recently, please make sure to drive carefully when coming up to the Rangeley area. Some roads are flooded or washed out entirely in parts of Rangeley, Oquossoc, Bryan, Farmington, Farmington Falls, Jay, Wilton, and more. Drive safe, Mainely Skiers!

    Weather:

    Tropical Storm Warning! Most of Eastern, Central, and Southern Maine are in the Tropical Storm Warning. Remember to take the necessary precautions to prepare and plan for the storm.

    Other than Saturday being the day of the storm, the other days look good for some time outside. It’s time to get out because Life is Better Outside!

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:64 57 70
    Low:53 49 51
    Based out of Rangeley

    Stay safe, everyone!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (September 1, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Saddleback is Maine’s Favorite Mountain:

    This just in – Saddleback Maine has been named Downeast Magazine’s Best Of Maine for the Ski Mountain category. This is the second year in a row the mountain has received such a title. Saddleback has been using the “Maine’s Favorite Mountain” slogan since they won the nomination last year around this time and will be able to hold on to the title for another year. Congratulations Saddleback.

    Photo: Saddleback Maine

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Brunch In The PubJuly 9September 24Every Sunday
    Northwoods Gravel Grind AfterpartySeptember 9September 9One Day
    Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ SugarloafOctober 1October 1One Day
    Sugarloaf HomecomingOctober 6October 8Three Days
    Oktoberfest 2023 @ SaddlebackOctober 7October 7One Day
    Sunday River Fall FestivalOctober 7October 8Two Days

    XTERRA Trail Run:

    Join Sugarloaf on Sep 30 – Oct 1 for the XTERRA Trail Run World Series. Sugarloaf Mountain has been chosen as the pinnacle event for the  XTERRA Trail Run World Series.  A weekend-long trail running festival that will see top elite and amateur runners compete for $10,000 in prize money and XTERRA championship crowns in both full and half marathon distances.  Live music, great food, and family entertainment will keep the energy high throughout the weekend, with 5K and 10K trail runs, and races for kids to ensure everybody can get involved. For more information and to sign up, click the link below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Scenic Lift Rides:

    Scenic Lift Rides are now open at Sugarloaf and Sunday River! Take a ride up the Chondola at Sunday River or the SuperQuad at Sugarloaf. Click the respective links to learn more about catching the chair.

    The Chondola is dog, kid, and grandparent-friendly, so you’ll want to pack up your whole family for this scenic adventure. Lift rides are available from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays from early July to mid-October. You can buy tickets online in advance, but will need to pick up your tickets upon arrival. You can also purchase tickets on-site at the various lodges and base areas. Lift tickets will be issued until 3:30PM or until capacity is reached. If you plan to ride the lift back to the bottom, please load before 4PM. For more information, visit the links below.

    sundayriver.com
    sugarloaf.com

    Oktoberfest 5k Signups:

    It’s that time again to start thinking about the fall. After waiting, for what seems like forever, we finally have warm weather. If you’re looking to cool down a little and think about the fall, the Saddleback 5k signups are now open.

    Registration & Timeline:
    • Registration Location: The registration area is located in front of the MAIN BASE LODGE. There is plenty of free parking.
    • Bib/T-shirt Packet pick-up will be on race day beginning at 8:30 am
    • The race begins at 10:00 AM.
    • Registration Fee $40
    • The requested T-shirt size cannot be guaranteed after September 20
    • The top 3 male/female finishers will receive prizes.
    • No dogs allowed
    • The lift will not spin for rides to the top during the 5k.  

    For more information and to sign up for the race, click the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Sunday River Updates Snowmaking Projects:

    On a facebook post made today by Sunday River, they explain the progress on the Broadway trail as it undergoes a major snowmaking upgrade. They shared a photo along with a link to their blog where they go into more detail about the automated snowmaking plan as well as other updates happening around the 8 peaks. Check it out in the link below.

    sundayriver.com

    Summer Activities:

    Check out the latest on the Summer Activities page on our website. This page gives access to all the incredible activities you can do in the mountains of Maine. From mountain biking, to hiking, swimming, and golfing, there is something for everyone. Check it out on the home page or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Saddleback Bike Park Back Open:

    The Saddleback Bike Park is back open! Let’s all do a little dance to stop the rain… I mean, it’s a suggestion. Anyway, the sun has come out once again, which allowed for the trails to dry up a bit and the crews to get back out and touch them up. The riding will be a little muddy still, but never-the-less fun!

    They will be spinning their South Branch Quad Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:47 pm. (We know it’s a weird time). This is to maximize your time outside and ride the newest summer project for yourself. During the winter months, when the mountain is spinning all six of their lifts, closing at 3:40 pm isn’t that big of a deal – there are other ways to ski until 4:00 pm. With this, however, the lift is moving slightly slower to allow the use of foot traffic.

    The MTB crew is only getting started, and there are already plans to grow. In the meantime, check out their progress and purchase a pass to see for yourself by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Sugarloaf Making Progress:

    The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.

    The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails: Bucksaw, Feller Buncher, Chipper, Hatchet, Whistle Punk, Beaver Tail, Knot Bumper, Gandy Dancer, Cutter, West Mtn. Crosscut, Twitcher, and Yarder. Although the difficulty ratings haven’t come out yet, I expect it to be around greens and blues with some blacks mixed in to keep things interesting.

    Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.

    facebook.com/sugarloaf

    sugarloaf.com

    The Barker 6 Mix:

    Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr and is set to be complete by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.

    As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.

    sundayriver.com

    Facebook Video

    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    With all the rain we’ve gotten recently, please make sure to drive carefully when coming up to the Rangeley area. Some roads are flooded or washed out entirely in parts of Rangeley, Oquossoc, Bryan, Farmington, Farmington Falls, Jay, Wilton, and more. Drive safe, Mainely Skiers!

    Weather:

    Wow! I don’t know what you guys did but here is our first good weather weekend for a few years! Joking aside, we’re forecasting some partly sunny skies all weekend with warm weather on tap. It’s time to get out because Life is Better Outside!

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:71 76 77
    Low:47 56 58
    Based out of Rangeley

    Enjoy the great weather!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (August 18, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Barker Express Chair Sale:

    As Sunday River is right in the thick of the new Barker 6 construction, the old chairs had to get out of the way to make way for new Doppelmayr 6 person chairs. One heck of an upgrade if you ask me! Sunday River sold the 120 chairs and the process went to charity – three in fact. They announced they raised $112,767 total. That means Sunday River proudly presented $17,589 to Maine Adaptive, The River Fund Maine, and the MSAD 44 Daycare Initiative. Click the link below to read the full press release.

    sundayriver.com

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Brunch In The PubJuly 9September 24Every Sunday
    Northwoods Gravel Grind AfterpartySeptember 9September 9One Day
    Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ SugarloafOctober 1October 1One Day
    Sugarloaf HomecomingOctober 6October 8Three Days
    Oktoberfest 2023 @ SaddlebackOctober 7October 7One Day
    Sunday River Fall FestivalOctober 7October 8Two Days

    Scenic Lift Rides:

    Scenic Lift Rides are now open at Sugarloaf and Sunday River! Take a ride up the Chondola at Sunday River or the SuperQuad at Sugarloaf. Click the respective links to learn more about catching the chair.

    The Chondola is dog, kid, and grandparent-friendly, so you’ll want to pack up your whole family for this scenic adventure. Lift rides are available from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays from early July to mid-October. You can buy tickets online in advance, but will need to pick up your tickets upon arrival. You can also purchase tickets on-site at the various lodges and base areas. Lift tickets will be issued until 3:30PM or until capacity is reached. If you plan to ride the lift back to the bottom, please load before 4PM. For more information, visit the links below.

    sundayriver.com
    sugarloaf.com

    Oktoberfest 5k Signups:

    It’s that time again to start thinking about the fall. After waiting, for what seems like forever, we finally have warm weather. If you’re looking to cool down a little and think about the fall, the Saddleback 5k signups are now open.

    Registration & Timeline:
    • Registration Location: The registration area is located in front of the MAIN BASE LODGE. There is plenty of free parking.
    • Bib/T-shirt Packet pick-up will be on race day beginning at 8:30 am
    • The race begins at 10:00 AM.
    • Registration Fee $40
    • The requested T-shirt size cannot be guaranteed after September 20
    • The top 3 male/female finishers will receive prizes.
    • No dogs allowed
    • The lift will not spin for rides to the top during the 5k.  

    For more information and to sign up for the race, click the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Sunday River Updates Snowmaking Projects:

    On a facebook post made today by Sunday River, they explain the progress on the Broadway trail as it undergoes a major snowmaking upgrade. They shared a photo along with a link to their blog where they go into more detail about the automated snowmaking plan as well as other updates happening around the 8 peaks. Check it out in the link below.

    sundayriver.com

    Summer Activities:

    Check out the latest on the Summer Activities page on our website. This page gives access to all the incredible activities you can do in the mountains of Maine. From mountain biking, to hiking, swimming, and golfing, there is something for everyone. Check it out on the home page or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Saddleback Bike Park Closed For Rain:

    This week, Saddleback posted to their various social media accounts explaining how they need to close the downhill mountain biking as of rain. If you’ve been following along with these weekly updates and watching the weather, you know it’s been a wet one this summer. They claim they need time for the trails to dry out, and for crews to work to repair sections of trails that got hit the hardest with rain. Not to fear though – they did give a date on when the bike park will be open. It’s Thursday, August 24.

    They will be spinning their South Branch Quad Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:47 pm. (We know it’s a weird time). This is to maximize your time outside and ride the newest summer project for yourself. During the winter months, when the mountain is spinning all six of their lifts, closing at 3:40 pm isn’t that big of a deal – there are other ways to ski until 4:00 pm. With this, however, the lift is moving slightly slower to allow the use of foot traffic.

    The MTB crew is only getting started, and there are already plans to grow. In the meantime, check out their progress and purchase a pass to see for yourself by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Sugarloaf Making Progress:

    The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.

    The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late December – early January with 12 trails: Bucksaw, Feller Buncher, Chipper, Hatchet, Whistle Punk, Beaver Tail, Knot Bumper, Gandy Dancer, Cutter, West Mtn. Crosscut, Twitcher, and Yarder. Although the difficulty ratings haven’t come out yet, I expect it to be around greens and blues with some blacks mixed in to keep things interesting.

    Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.

    facebook.com/sugarloaf

    sugarloaf.com

    The Barker 6 Mix:

    Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr and is set to be complete by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.

    As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.

    sundayriver.com

    Facebook Video

    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    With all the rain we’ve gotten recently, please make sure to drive carefully when coming up to the Rangeley area. Some roads are flooded or washed out entirely in parts of Rangeley, Oquossoc, Bryan, Farmington, Farmington Falls, Jay, Wilton, and more. Drive safe, Mainely Skiers!

    Weather:

    This weekend looks a little shakey to be outside. Thankfully, if we can avoid. therain, it shoud make way for some partly sunny skies with warm temps. It’s time to get out because Life is Better Outside!

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:72 65 75
    Low:54 54 61
    Based out of Rangeley

    Have a great weekend!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (August 11, 2023)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Summer Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Oquossoc Day:

    It’s that time again for Oquossoc Day! Head over to Oquossoc next Saturday, August 12, for a day of family fun. See he full event schedule below. *Please note events could get added or removed without notice

    • 10:00am – 4:00pm Art & Antique Show and Sale at Outdoor Heritage Museum
    • 10:00am – 12:00pm Cornhole Tournament at Oquossoc Cove
    • 10:00am – 1:00pm Tom Ball Band Live in the Village
    • 10:00am – 2:00pm Car Show at Oquossoc Marine
    • 11:00am Dog Show at Oquossoc Grocery
    • 1:00pm Boat Parade at Oquossoc Cove Marina
    • 2:00pm The Maine Attraction Water Ski Show Team at Oquossoc Cove
    • 3:30pm – 5:00pm Happy Hour & Raffle Drawing at Portage Tap House

    See ya on Saturday!

    Know Be”fore” You Go:

    Time to tee off, Mainely Skiers! All golf courses are open and looking good. Your location tells you a lot about where you’re next round will be played, but I can assure you that where ever you go, you’ll have a great time out on the course. When outside, remember to bring sunscreen, bug spray, water, and tick repellent. It’s also a good idea to wear pants to protect yourself against ticks. Do tick checks often and always.

    mainelyskiing.com/golfing

    Upcoming Events:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page, which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Brunch In The PubJuly 9September 24Every Sunday
    Oquossoc DayAugust 12August 12One Day
    BiKaRu Race in RangeleyAugust 13August 13One Day
    Northwoods Gravel Grind AfterpartySeptember 9September 9One Day
    Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ SugarloafOctober 1October 1One Day
    Sugarloaf HomecomingOctober 6October 8Three Days
    Oktoberfest 2023 @ SaddlebackOctober 7October 7One Day
    Sunday River Fall FestivalOctober 7October 8Two Days

    Recent Trip To Saddleback:

    If you follow us on Facebook and Instagram, (Shamless plug, we know) you might have seen some photos from Saddleback taken last weekend. While Saddleback wasn’t the only stop, I sent the drone up to do a little checking around – without disturbing the wedding party that was there too of course. Take a look at some of the recent pictures. The good news is, the lifts will be there for us in the winter. Head over to the Mountain Lifts Page to see the live countdown.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Scenic Lift Rides:

    Scenic Lift Rides are now open at Sugarloaf and Sunday River! Take a ride up the Chondola at Sunday River or the SuperQuad at Sugarloaf. Click the respective links to learn more about catching the chair.

    The Chondola is dog, kid, and grandparent-friendly, so you’ll want to pack up your whole family for this scenic adventure. Lift rides are available from 10AM-4PM on Saturdays and Sundays from early July to mid-October. You can buy tickets online in advance, but will need to pick up your tickets upon arrival. You can also purchase tickets on-site at the various lodges and base areas. Lift tickets will be issued until 3:30PM or until capacity is reached. If you plan to ride the lift back to the bottom, please load before 4PM. For more information, visit the links below.

    sundayriver.com
    sugarloaf.com

    Oktoberfest 5k Signups:

    It’s that time again to start thinking about the fall. After waiting, for what seems like forever, we finally have warm weather. If you’re looking to cool down a little and think about the fall, the Saddleback 5k signups are now open.

    Registration & Timeline:
    • Registration Location: The registration area is located in front of the MAIN BASE LODGE. There is plenty of free parking.
    • Bib/T-shirt Packet pick-up will be on race day beginning at 8:30 am
    • The race begins at 10:00 AM.
    • Registration Fee $40
    • The requested T-shirt size cannot be guaranteed after September 20
    • The top 3 male/female finishers will receive prizes.
    • No dogs allowed
    • The lift will not spin for rides to the top during the 5k.  

    For more information and to sign up for the race, click the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Summer Activities:

    Check out the latest on the Summer Activities page on our website. This page gives access to all the incredible activities you can do in the mountains of Maine. From mountain biking, to hiking, swimming, and golfing, there is something for everyone. Check it out on the home page or by clicking the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Saddleback Bike Park Now Open:

    The Saddleback Bike Park is now open! Featuring their lift-serviced downhill.

    They will be spinning their South Branch Quad Thursday through Sunday from 9:00 am to 3:47 pm. (We know it’s a weird time). This is to maximize your time outside and ride the newest summer project for yourself. During the winter months, when the mountain is spinning all six of their lifts, closing at 3:40 pm isn’t that big of a deal – there are other ways to ski until 4:00 pm. With this, however, the lift is moving slightly slower to allow the use of foot traffic.

    The MTB crew is only getting started, and there are already plans to grow. In the meantime, check out their progress and purchase a pass to see for yourself by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Sugarloaf Making Progress:

    The newest major lift progress at Sugarloaf since the SuperQuad all the way back in 1994, the new Bucksaw Express will take skiers and riders to the top of West Mountain by the on-mountain Bullwinkles Grill. The lift will stretch 6,574 feet long and feature a 1,433-foot vertical rise. It will also be the future home to over 200 new homes including 52 single-family house lots.

    The expansion will shorten the existing West Mountain Double Chair to the mid-station to relieve congestion at the top unload area. Set to debut in late January – early February with 12 trails: Bucksaw, Feller Buncher, Chipper, Hatchet, Whistle Punk, Beaver Tail, Knot Bumper, Gandy Dancer, Cutter, West Mtn. Crosscut, Twitcher, and Yarder. Although the difficulty ratings haven’t come out yet, I expect it to be around greens and blues with some blacks mixed in to keep things interesting.

    WSKI TV posted a video to YouTube showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to snowmaking. They’re adding 246 high-efficiency HKD snow guns and over 88,000′ of new snowmaking pipe. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.

    youtube.com/wskitv

    sugarloaf.com

    The Barker 6 Mix:

    Sunday River is making quick work on their newest project, a new, high-speed, detachable 6 person lift – Barker 6. This new lift is manufactured by the world’s leading lift manufacturer, Doppelmayr and is set to be complete by the 2023-24 ski season. This lift will be pretty much identical to the Jordan 8 by featuring heated, ergonomic seats, individual head & foot rests, weather-proof Sunday River Red bubble covers, automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, 13 towers with 63 chairs, and a ride time of just under 5 minutes. This new lift will be a game changer for the Barker area and for Sunday River as a whole.

    As well as the Barker 6, Sunday River is installing their second triple chair on Merrill Hill. The new triple chair will provide more opportunities for ski-in, ski-out homes on Merrill Hill. This lift is the second Doppelmayr lift getting installed at the River. While this lift wasn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6 until this week, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. Check out the progress from a photo Sunday River posted this week over on Merrill Hill. See more by clicking the links below.

    sundayriver.com

    Facebook Video

    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You could go back in time if you missed the best part. Click the link below to see last night’s sunset!

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Last Chair:

    With all the rain we’ve gotten recently, please make sure to drive carefully when coming up to the Rangeley area. Some roads are flooded or washed out entirely in parts of Rangeley, Oquossoc, Bryan, Farmington, Farmington Falls, Jay, Wilton, and more. Drive safe, Mainely Skiers!

    Weather:

    Well, it’s looking like this weekend is perfect to be hanging out under the sun. Sadly, with the way things have been going, you need to cram all summer into these two days. It’s time to get out because Life is Better Outside!

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:69 75 73
    Low:51 58 57
    Based out of Rangeley

    See ya outside!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (October 14, 2022)

    Welcome to the Mainely Skiing Fall Email! This email will be sent straight to your inbox whenever we release new emails. In this email, we will highlight all the fall activities in or around the Rangeley Area!

    Maine Foliage Report:

    The Maine Foliage Report brought to you by MaineFoliage.com

    Augusta, MAINE – This week’s Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) reports high to peak conditions (70-100 percent) throughout most of Maine.

    As of October 12, 2022, Maine Forest Service (MFS) staff reported past peak color conditions in zones six and seven and moderate leaf drop in zones five, six, and seven. Color changes in zones one to four are at peak and rapidly approaching past peak. Coastal Maine, zones one and two, typically are last to reach their peak during mid-to-late October.

    This Week’s Foliage Outlook

    “Despite the seemingly extended drought conditions across Maine this year, fall colors rebounded splendidly, and the state is ablaze with breathtaking hues throughout the state,” said Gale Ross, Maine’s fall foliage spokesperson. “I daresay this foliage season ranks among one of the best displays of colors for quite some time, evident by the wicked good photos submitted by Maine fall foliage enthusiasts!”

    Photo: MaineFoliage.com

    Calendar Adds:

    Make sure to add these events to your calendar to keep yourself up to date with the local happenings. Of course, you can always visit our events page which is constantly getting updated so you can know about the event before anyone else! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Her FestivalOctober 20October 20One Day
    Family Fall FestivalOctober 22October 22One Day
    Job Fair @ Pleasant MountainNovember 5November 5One Day
    Rangeley Craft FairNovember 12November 12One Day
    Ski Patrol Christmas Dinner @ SaddlebackDecember 10December 10One Day
    Pleasant Mountain Opening DayDecember 10December 10One Day
    Holiday Tree Lighting @ SugarloafDecember 10December 10One Day
    Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday RiverDecember 17December 18Two Days
    Christmas Vacation WeekDecember 26December 30Five Days

    Competition Hill Construction:

    Crews started groundwork on Sugarloaf’s newest lift, Competition Hill, A new Doppelmayr T-Bar in collaboration with Sugarloaf and CVA to create a world-class training environment. This new lift, paired with fully automated snowmaking equipment will help give racers the confidence to go big! Sugarloaf hopes this new lift will help take pressure off main lifts on busy days. Watch the project take form by clicking the link below.

    gocva.com

    Jordan 8:

    The new Jordan 8 construction is moving nicely. The crew at Sunday River and Doppelmayr only have a few more things before the lift will be taking skiers to the top of Jordan Peak. Those items include Aligning Towers, Pulling the haul rope, and putting chairs on the line. For the latest video update, click the link below.

    facebook.com/sundayriver.com

    Photo: Jordan 8

    Saddleback Webcams:

    Have you visited the Saddleback Webcams? With three cameras scattered across the mountain, you’re guaranteed to get the best sunset. You can go back in time if you missed the best part. While you can catch some pretty amazing sunsets, you also are able to watch crews working. This past week, they received delivery of the towers and the bottom terminal has started to take form. Click the link below to watch them build the new Sandy Quad.

    saddlebackmaine.com

    Photo: Base Webcam looking out over the Rangeley High-Speed Quad and new Sandy Quad. Photo Taken 10/13/22 at 6:00pm.

    Weather:

    While this week brought some warmth to us Mainers, today will be a little different. Expect lots of rain and high winds all day. Plus, with the rain, the spectacular fall foliage will mostly be gone. On a lighter note, this weekend’s forecasts are looking promising to get outside. We’re Mainers though, we don’t let rain and wind get in the way of our fun.

    Day:Friday:Saturday:Sunday:
    High:61 62 57
    Low:43 39 39
    Based out of Rangeley

    Have a great weekend!

    – Keegan