Tag: ski-resorts

  • 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

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    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.

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    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

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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:

    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

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    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 5, 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
    Saddleback68 / 68100%
    Sugarloaf143 / 17681%
    Sunday River120 / 13983%
    Pleasant Mountain
    *Reopening Tomorrow*
    0 / 470%

    Trail of the Day: Brackett Basin (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! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Spring Bash Weekend @ SaddlebackApril 5April 7Three Days
    Spring Fest Weekend @ Sunday RiverApril 5April 7Three Days
    Sugarloaf Reggae FestApril 11April 14Four Days
    Pond-A-Palooza @ Sunday RiverApril 13April 13One Day
    Sunday River Season Pass Holder Appreciation LunchApril 14April 14One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon Deadline to RegisterApril 15April 15One Day
    ’24 East Coast Pond Skimming Championship @ SugarloafApril 20April 20One Day
    The Great Tailgate @ Sunday RiverApril 20April 20One Day
    Sugarloaf Season Pass Holder BBQApril 27April 27One Day
    Sugarloaf Marathon & 15KMay 12May 12One Day

    We’re on TikTok:

    Better late than never, Mainely Skiing is now on TikTok! Drop us a follow by clicking the link below! Special shout out to TikTok user Ceci for being the first person to like our first post!

    tiktok.com/mainelyskiing

    Spring Bash at Saddleback:

    Spring Bash is a blast from the past taking place from Friday, 4/5, through Sunday, 4/7. Enjoy live music, make a splash at the pond skim, slide the steel in the Rewind & Grind Rail Jam, and make some seriously fun spring turns. See the event schedule below.

    Event Schedule:
    • Friday, April 5 – Spring Bash Weekend kick-off with the Mallett Brothers Band 5-8 p.m.
    • Saturday, April 6 – Rewind and Grind Rail Jam with GoonJam riders and Eastern Halfpipe Jam powered by PistenBully. DJ Eric AudiblEvents on deck 1-6 p.m.
    • Sunday, April 7 – Pond Skim at 12 p.m. and DJ Eric with AudiblEvents on deck 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

    mainelyskiing.com

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    Spring Fest Weekend:

    Celebrating Spring at Sunday River from Friday, April 5 to Sunday, April 7 complete with huge parties, music, and great spring skiing and riding. Come be a part of one of the biggest skiing parties in the White Cap area. Learn more and see the full event schedule by clicking the link 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

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    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

    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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    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

    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

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    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

    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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    Total Solar Eclipse:

    The Total Solar Eclipse will come through Maine on Monday, April 8th, 2024. It looks like BigRock Mountain and Big Moose Mountain will be right in the middle of the path. Saddleback and Sugarloaf will get some time in the darkness as well. Check out these events coming from the ski mountains.

    mainelyskiing.com/total-solar-eclipse

    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

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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:

    As long as we gained more than we lost, I could keep doing this cycle! This past storm brought some crazy winds, but more importantly, over 18 inches of snow! If you were lucky enough to go to a mountain that wasn’t on wind hold, you know the snow was wet and dense – good base building material. This storm put the ski areas in better shape coming up on their spring parties.

    Weather:

    All that new snow we got, and are still getting, is perfect for some late-season base building. This means we’ll be skiing even later into the spring. If you’re planning on getting out this weekend, keep tabs on the mountain lift status page, linked below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:36   36   43   
    Low:28   26   21   
    Based out of Rangeley

    It must be those snow dances!!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (February 2, 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
    Saddleback67 / 6899%
    Sugarloaf96 / 17656%
    Sunday River130 / 13994%
    Pleasant Mountain37 / 4779%

    Trail of the Day: Yetiville (Sunday River)

    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:
    Free Ski Night @ Black Mountain of MaineJanuary 10March 20Every Wednesday
    Fire on the Mountain @ SugarloafFebruary 2February 4Three Days
    WinterKids Family Day @ BigRockFebruary 4February 4One Day
    Fat Bike Race @ Sugarloaf Outdoor CenterFebruary 11February 11One Day
    February Fest @ SaddlebackFebruary 23February 23One Day

    Groundhog Day:

    Happy Groundhog Day, Mainely Skiers! Punxsutawney Phil didn’t see his shadow which means we’ll have an early spring. That’s good news to us as who doesn’t love t-shirt skiing and sunny chairlift rides? While we will need to get to spring first, we’re looking ahead to the annual end-of-season parties.

    mainelyskiing.com/events

    Fire On The Mountain:

    Sugarloaf’s Fire On The Mountain, this annual music-loving event is happening today through Sunday. With a packed lineup of bands and festivities, make sure to head over to Sugarloaf with your dancing shoes and get ready for a great weekend. Learn more about this event by clicking the link below!

    sugarloaf.com

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    February Break Fun:

    Remember, as February Break approaches, make sure we are stocking up on gear for dress-up days at Saddleback; we want to look our very best going down our favorite trails! Sugarloaf is also hosting their February Fireworks at the end of the break on the 23rd! As we get closer to February Break, we’ll start sharing a total list of events so you can start to plan on the best mountain for you!

    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

    WinterKids Downhill 24:

    Help raise money for families in need by participating in Sugarloaf and WinetKids Downhill 24. Happening from February 29, to March 1. To register and learn more about this special opportunity to ski around the clock, click the link below!

    winterkids.org

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    Bucksaw Express:

    Sugarloaf’s newest lift and biggest expansion since the SuperQuad, Bucksaw Express is set to spin for the first time on Friday, February 9. With a few activities surrounding West Mountain, you won’t want to miss this special moment. Learn more below.

    sugarloaf.com

    Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides:

    If you’re still in the Christmas spirit or you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly adventure, there are a number of various dates for horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown Rangeley. Don’t miss out on making those memories before the season ends! For more info and dates, see the full schedule below!


    • Saturday, February 3rd
    • Saturday, February 10th
    • Saturday, February 17th
    • Sunday, February 18th 11:30-1:30pm (Winterpaloozah)
    • Tuesday, February 20th (February Break)
    • Thursday, February 22nd (February Break)
    • Saturday, February 24th (February Break)
    • Saturday, March 2nd
    • Saturday, March 9th
    • Saturday, March 16th

    Skier Services:

    Check out the Skier Services page on our website. This page is filled to the brim with things skiers will find helpful. With pages like a resort status page, mountain guides to Saddleback, Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Pleasant Mountain, Black Mountain of Maine, and Lost Valley (With more to come, stay tuned), and more. Find it all on the Skier Services page from the website or by clicking 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

    Advertisements

    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:

    What a good week for skiing in Maine and this weekend will be more of the same. Saddleback has been teasing something special over on Monteral. If you don’t know what it is, I suggest checking out their social accounts.

    Weather:

    This weekend is looking pretty safe without any ra*n, but I don’t want to jinx it. If safe is how we start describing the weather, then I think that means we’re out of the wacky weather. We’re also eyeing some snow in the long-range forecast, so keep doing those snow dances, Mainely Skiers! For the current lift status, click the link below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:34  24   26  
    Low:14   6    7   
    Based out of Rangeley

    See ya on the slopes!

    – Keegan

  • Mainely Skiing Weekly Email (December 29, 2023)

    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
    Saddleback15 / 6822%
    Sugarloaf36 / 17620%
    Sunday River24 / 13917%
    Pleasant Mountain8 / 4717%

    Trail of the Day: Blue 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! Click here

    Event Name:Start Date:End Date:Occurrence:
    Christmas Vacation WeekDecember 25December 29Five Days
    Indie Demo Day @ Sunday RiverJanuary 6January 6One Day
    Vertical Challenge @ BigRockJanuary 6January 6One Day
    2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ SaddlebackJanuary 7January 7One Day
    Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTCJanuary 28January 28One Day
    IFSA Junior Freeride @ SaddlebackJanuary 28January 28One Day
    Fire on the Mountain @ SugarloafFebruary 2February 4Three Days
    February Fest @ SaddlebackFebruary 23February 23One Day

    Christmas Break:

    Get ready for the always busy Christmas Vacation Week. This week, it looks like it will be packed with family-friendly events happening all week. For the most up-to-date information, make sure to bookmark the events page or click the link below!

    mainelyskiing.com

    Vertical Challenge @ Big Rock:

    The Vertical Challenge is set to take on BigRock on January 6, 2024. The Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain.

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    Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides:

    The Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides are back in Downtown Rangeley. See the full schedule below!


    • Saturday, December 30th
    • Saturday, January 6th
    • Saturday, January 13th
    • Saturday, January 20th
    • Saturday, January 27th
    • Saturday, February 3rd
    • Saturday, February 10th
    • Saturday, February 17th
    • Sunday, February 18th 11:30-1:30pm (Winterpaloozah)
    • Tuesday, February 20th
    • Thursday, February 22nd
    • Saturday, February 24th
    • Saturday, March 2nd
    • Saturday, March 9th
    • Saturday, March 16th

    Vertical Challenge @ Black Mountain of Maine:

    Happening at Black Mountain of Maine on Saturday, January 20, the Vertical Challenge is a series of free casual ski & snowboard races held at ski resorts throughout the northeast. In addition to the races, attendees enjoy a festival, featuring snowy activities for all ages throughout a fun day on the mountain. Learn more below.

    skiblackmountain.org

    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

    Advertisements

    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

    Resort Status Page:

    Our Resort Status page is now live. Complete with the various ski areas we cover, you’ll have all the important information relevant to us skiers. Check out the page below.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback:

    Saddleback will host the Vertical Challenge on Sunday, January 7. The event is a series of free casual ski and snowboard races open to all ages and abilities. Skiers and snowboarders are divided by gender and age to compete for gold, silver, and bronze medals in each category. Check it out by clicking the link below.

    saddlebackmaine.com

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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:

    Since the crazy winter storm that sent the Maine ski scene into a frenzy, ski areas are desperately trying to recover. The week of fog, rain, and warm temps aren’t helping as resorts can’t start snowmaking until the next cold front moves in. In the meantime, we’re praying for snow.

    Weather:

    While we just have to sit, wait, and hope for snow, the long-term forecast is looking prime for snowmaking. Make sure to check your local mountain’s report to see the latest on snowmaking. I guess if Mother Natute won’t provide it, they’ll just have to make it. Click the link below to see current lift status.

    mainelyskiing.com

    Day:Friday:Saturday: Sunday:
    High:36 33 25
    Low:31 20   15
    Based out of Rangeley

    Back to my snow dances…

    – Keegan