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 Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
67 / 68
99%
Sugarloaf
66 / 176
38%
Sunday River
31 / 139
22%
Pleasant Mountain
5 / 47
11%
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:
Pleasant Mountain’s Opening Day
December 8
December 8
One Day
Lost Valley’s Opening Day
December 9
December 9
One Day
Barker 6 Opening Day
December 9
December 9
One Day
Demo Day @ Sunday River
December 9
December 9
One Day
Sunday River Santa Sunday
December 10
December 10
One Day
Sugarloaf Tree Lighting Festival
December 16
December 16
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Christmas Vacation Week
December 25
December 29
Five Days
Indie Demo Day @ Sunday River
January 6
January 6
One Day
2nd Annual Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 7
January 7
One Day
Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet @ RLTC
January 28
January 28
One Day
IFSA Junior Freeride @ Saddleback
January 28
January 28
One Day
Fire on the Mountain @ Sugarloaf
February 2
February 4
Three Days
February Fest @ Saddleback
February 23
February 23
One Day
Pleasant Mountain is Open:
Pleasant Mountain sent their first chair of the season up the Pine Quad at 9:30am this morning. For more information or to stay in the loop, click the link below.
Lost Valley has been cranking out snow and are opening a week earlier than expected. Lost Valley will send the first chair of the season up at 9:00am. They also plan to offer 4 trails:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Pine Grove
Big Buck
Deer Run
Bobcat
Early-season conditions means no easy way down. All trails will be marked as Blue Squares.
For more information, please check out their report page listed below.
The first chair of Sunday River’s latest major project, Barker 6, gets sent up the hill lighting fast, on Saturday, December 9. There will be a raffle for the first chair. For more information, click the link below.
This week, snowmaking crews from BigRock, Camden Snow Bowl, and Mt. Abram all fired up their equipment. While the snow we got on Sunday and Monday will help build bases, we hope it’s just the start of a great season ahead. Bring it on, Mother Nature. For the most current report on your local resorts, click the link below.
Join Sunday River on the slopes with their annual Santa Sunday. The Registration is now open to join the hundreds of Santas sending it down South Ridge. All proceeds go directly to the River Fund, a non-profit organization that supports youth education and recreation in the Bethel area. To sign up, click the link below.
That first chair is always one of the most exciting moments in the early season. It’s time to start waxing those skis, dusting off gear and making sure your pass is ready. mainelyskiing.com/season-passes 😉 you’ll thank me later. Below is a table of the opening days as we know right now. Plus, for a more frequently updated list, click the link below.
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.
This week, Saddleback announced $49 lift tickets available for the full season. Act fast, as there are only so many tickets being sold at that price before going to the next pricing tier. Click the link to purchase now.
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.
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.
Saddleback released a new website that we think looks pretty good! They debuted it for the first weekend of the season, and it will only get better as the season progresses. Check it out below!
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
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:
Difficulty
Trail Name
Difficulty
Trail Name
Hatchet
Bucksaw
Feller-Buncher
Cutter
Chipper
Whistle Punk
Upper Beaver Tail
Lower Beaver Tail
Knot Bumper
Yarder
Twitcher
West Mountain Crosscut
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project and Sugarloaf’s continued investment to their mountain. Check out the full video below along with the 2030 plan.
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 completed 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 of the lift construction. See more by clicking the links below.
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!
Woah! Thanks for all the snow, Mother Nature, we loved it! The snow that fell Sunday night into Monday made for great mid-week skiing out there. We watched Sugarloaf nearly triple their trail count and Sunday River doubled it. We’re looking good as we start December.
Weather:
We’re hoping the rain for Sunday will hold off, making for a good weekend of skiing and riding. With four resorts already open and Lost Valley opening tomorrow, there’s lots of excitement here in the mountains. Welcome to winter, welcome to ski season!
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 summer activities in or around the Rangeley Area!
Maine Foliage Report:
The Maine Foliage Report brought to you by MaineFoliage.com
The fourth 2023 Fall Foliage Report from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) reports moderate to high color change (50-70 percent) throughout most of Maine. As of October 4, DACF Maine Forest Rangers in northern Maine report peak color conditions (70-100 percent) with moderate to low leaf drop (30-50 percent).
Northern Maine (zones six and seven) is on track to reach peak conditions this week. Fall colors in all other areas of the state will occur from north to south through mid-October. Coastal Maine typically reaches peak color during mid-to-late October.
This Week’s Foliage Outlook
“The conditions projected for this upcoming long holiday weekend set us up for one of the best weekends to plan your fall foliage outdoor activities with an abundance of events taking place statewide. The fall colors are emerging in the canopies across Maine, and the leaves are still intact, making it perfect timing for leaf-peeping enthusiasts,” 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:
Sugarloaf Homecoming
October 6
October 8
Three Days
Oktoberfest 2023 @ Saddleback
October 7
October 7
One Day
Oktoberfest 5K @ Saddleback
October 7
October 7
One Day
Pumpkin Decorating @ Sugarloaf
October 7
October 7
One Day
North American Wife Carrying Championship @ Sunday River
October 7
October 7
One Day
Balence Bike Race @ Sugarloaf
October 7
October 7
One Day
Sunday River Fall Festival
October 7
October 8
Two Days
New England Corn Hole Championship @ Sunday River
October 8
October 8
One Day
Uphill Climb @ Sugarloaf
October 8
October 8
One Day
Winterfest Weekend @ Sunday River
December 16
December 17
Two Days
Big Projects For Big Squaw:
Big Moose Mountain in Greenville, formally named Big Squaw, needs your help. The mountain has been hard at work reclaiming the upper mountain trails by bringing them back to skiable terrain. This is only made possible due to the 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. Click here: link
Crews are also working on replacing the existing lift’s communication line. This isn’t an easy task, especially with a small crew. Nevertheless, Big Moose Mountain pushes on.
If those jobs aren’t enough, the trusty ol’ tarp only lasts for so long before talks emerge about what to do. The lodge for the upper mountain, which sits near the top unload of the current lift has a pool, which has the roof needing to be replaced. Last Wednesday, the mountain posted to Facebook asking for ideas and within a few days, they had raised over $16,000 of roofing material thanks to generous donors. If you would like to support the mountain in its efforts to become a bigger and better ski area, click the link to support.
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. Hurry – this is the last weekend available for scenic lift rides!
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.
Season passes have been on sale throughout the summer but to take advantage of the savings, you better purchase now! Check out the table to see all season passes:
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, Oktoberfest is right around the corner. Make sure to sign up so you won’t miss out on the festivities!
Schedule of Events
10-11 a.m. – Oktoberfest 5K
11 a.m. – Festival gates open. TJ Swan performs on the deck.
12 p.m. – Pie eating contest on the deck. $10 entry. The winner gets a pie and a gift card to The Pub.
1:30-3:30 – SKOSH performs on the deck.
3:30 – Stein Hoisting Championship! 10 men’s/women’s qualifiers will go head-to-head. This is always an Oktoberfest favorite – don’t miss it!
4-8 p.m. – Pub open
Happening All Day – 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Keg Toss & Stein Hoisting – these events will run all day. Qualify for the Stein Hosting Championship until 3 p.m.
Costume Contest. Dust off the lederhosen! The person in best-dressed Oktoberfest attire will win a 3-night stay for 9 people in Rangeley thanks to our friends at Morton & Furbish Vacation Rentals. Stay is for a future date in Fall 2023 or Spring 2024.
Biggest BRAT Contest. Pile on the sauerkraut – we’re going to have a contest to see who can load up (and EAT) the heaviest brat! Add your toppings and weigh in. What’s the prize? Brattgin’ rights!
Fall CLEARANCE SALE! Get serious savings on skis, boards, and winter apparel.
Vendor Village – visit vendor booths near the festival entrance for sweet treats like apple crisp and local goods.
For more information and to get tickets, click the link below.
It might only be fall but the folks from Sunday River are already in the winter mindset. This week, the mountain announced a new early season operating guide. The plan is to start the season off with top-to-bottom skiing and riding off their Jordan 8 lift. They hope to have “multiple trail choices” serviced from the Jordan 8. For more information and to stay in the know, click the link below.
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.
Don’t miss Sugarloaf’s Homecoming Weekend. Happening October 6-8, this three day event is packed with loads of events both on and off the mountain. Check out the full rundown below.
Friday, October 6
Time
Event Name
Location
Details
9am-3pm
Swig and Swing Golf Tournament
Sugarloaf Golf Course
Registration is full.
Saturday, October 7
Time
Event Name
Location
Details
8am-2pm
Tailgate Ski Swap & Sale
The Rack
Sell or trade your used skis, snowboards, gear, and apparel. Or Donate gently used winter clothing and winter sport equipment to support local schools. Learn more.
9am-12pm
Pumpkin Decorating
The Alfond Competition Center
For ages 12 & under. Online registration is now open. Sign up here.
9am-2pm
Scenic Lift Rides
SuperQuad
Purchase tickets here. 23/24 Season passholders ride for free with their pass present.
9am-4pm
Coat & Gear Drive
Narrow Gauge
Donate gently used winter clothing and winter sport equipment to support local schools. Learn More.
9am-5pm
Upcountry Artists
King Pine Room
Art Show featuring some of Maine’s finest artists & craftsmen.
9am-5pm
Sugarloaf Home Show
Narrow Gauge
Various vendors and info booths
10am-5pm
Bar & Grill
The Beach
Serving food and beverages outside
11am-2pm
Live music by Seagrass
The Beach
Free admission, all ages welcome
1-4pm
Axe Throwing
The Landing
Splittin’ Wood is setting up an axe throwing station. Free to ages 10 & up; first come, first serve.
2:30-5pm
Live music by Aldous Collins Band
The Beach
Free admission, all ages welcome
2:30-3:30pm
Balance Bike Races
Main Street
Registration will open soon
3-6pm
Après Music
Widowmaker
Music by Robin Cottle
6-7pm
Film Viewing Party
Widowmaker
Join us for a night of action packed short films created by Maine film maker, Josh Lawless. Experience mountain biking, powder skiing, stunning sunset jumps, epic backcountry adventures, and more. Free admission, all ages welcome
The Saddleback Bike Park is still open but not for long! The park will be closing for all downhill on Sunday, October 8.
They will be spinning their South Branch Quad this weekend 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.
Celebrate Fall in the mountains at Sunday River. With classic events like the North American Wife Carrying Championship, the annual Sunday River Sports Sale, scenic chairlift rides, and more, you won’t want to miss this event during peak foliage season. Rain or shine, the events are happening. See the full rundown below:
Saturday, October 7
Time
Event Name
Location
Details
9am-5pm
39th Annual Blue Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair
South Ridge Lodge
Shop many local artisans for unique gifts.
9am-4:30pm
Maine Beer Box
Slopeside at South Ridge
Sample Maine craft beer from the 78 taps on the Maine Beer Box.
10am-4pm
Scenic Lift Rides
Slopeside at South Ridge
Take in views of the foliage from high above with a scenic chairlift ride on the resort’s Chondola. Don’t forget your season pass or RFID card. If you buy online and have your RFID card you can go direct to lift. Need a card? You can pick it up at a PUB in the Welcome Center to save time. We recommend riding early in the day to ensure access and avoid downloading delays.
9am-5pm
Sunday River Sports Annual Sale
South Ridge Lodge
Stock up for ski season with great deals on gear, clothing, outerwear, logo items, and more from Sunday River Sports.
24th Annual North American Wife Carrying Championship
Slopeside at South Ridge
Nothing brings you closer together than carrying your partner through a 278-yard obstacle course. This signature Sunday River event presents the winners with the wife’s weight in beer and five times her weight in cash. Registration is open now.
Savor a delectable wine-pairing sample menu crafted by renowned Chef Harding Lee Smith with seatings at 12PM and 3PM.
12pm-3pm
Sunday River Kids: Fall Fun
Sunday River Real Estate
Swing by the Sunday River Real Estate offices to paint a pumpkin or join the fall scavenger hunt. Prizes will be awarded for completed scavenger hunts! *Limited number of pumpkins available – pumpkin painting is first come, first served and is limited to one pumpkin per child.
11am-5:30pm
Live Music
Slopeside at South Ridge
Groove to the blues with local musicians River Bottom Funk, Cryin’ Out Loud, and Grammy Award-winning guitarist and songwriter Paul Nelson.
Sunday, October 8
Time
Event Name
Location
Details
9am-3pm
39th Annual Blue Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair
South Ridge Lodge
Shop many local artisans for unique gifts.
9am-4pm
Maine Beer Box
Slopeside at South Ridge
Sample Maine craft beer from the 78 taps on the Maine Beer Box
10am-4pm
Scenic Lift Rides
Slopeside at South Ridge
Take in views of the foliage from high above with a scenic chairlift ride on the resort’s Chondola. Don’t forget your season pass or RFID card. If you buy online and have your RFID card you can go direct to lift. Need a card? You can pick it up at a PUB in the Welcome Center to save time. We recommend riding early in the day to ensure access and avoid downloading delays.
9am-4:30pm
Sunday River Sports Annual Sale
South Ridge Lodge
Stock up for ski season with great deals on gear, clothing, outerwear, logo items, and more from Sunday River Sports.
10am
9th Annual New England Cornhole Championship
Slopeside at South Ridge
Grab a partner and start practicing because serious cash and bragging rights are up for grabs. Registration is open now for just $34 per team.
11-3:30pm
Live Music
Slopeside at South Ridge
Groove to the blues with local musicians River Bottom Funk and Cryin’ Out Loud.
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.
The Rangeley Health and Wellness in Rangeley, Maine – at the bottom of Dallas Hill Road, has announced their new fall hours. These hours are effective October 1.
Monday
5AM – 7PM
Tuesday
5AM – 7PM
Wednesday
5AM – 7PM
Thursday
5AM – 7PM
Friday
5AM – 7PM
Saturday
8AM – 2PM
Sunday
8AM – 2PM
For more information on the Rangeley Health and Wellness, check out their website.
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.
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!
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.
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 Pub
July 9
September 24
Every Sunday
Northwoods Gravel Grind Afterparty
September 9
September 9
One Day
Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ Sugarloaf
October 1
October 1
One Day
Sugarloaf Homecoming
October 6
October 8
Three Days
Oktoberfest 2023 @ Saddleback
October 7
October 7
One Day
Sunday River Fall Festival
October 7
October 8
Two 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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 Pub
July 9
September 24
Every Sunday
Oquossoc Day
August 12
August 12
One Day
BiKaRu Race in Rangeley
August 13
August 13
One Day
Northwoods Gravel Grind Afterparty
September 9
September 9
One Day
Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ Sugarloaf
October 1
October 1
One Day
Sugarloaf Homecoming
October 6
October 8
Three Days
Oktoberfest 2023 @ Saddleback
October 7
October 7
One Day
Sunday River Fall Festival
October 7
October 8
Two 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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!
Fresh Off The Truck:
Yesterday, Saddleback received their delivery from Michigan of their new SMI Snowguns. The shipment included two automated Super Puma snow guns, 27 Grizzly Low-E stick guns, and more PoleCats. They claim, “The Super Puma automatic fan guns are the first in our snowmaking lineup. Big throw = more snow”. The countdown to winter is on!
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.
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 Pub
July 9
September 24
Every Sunday
BiKaRu Race in Rangeley
August 13
August 13
One Day
Northwoods Gravel Grind Afterparty
September 9
September 9
One Day
Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ Sugarloaf
October 1
October 1
One Day
Sugarloaf Homecoming
October 6
October 8
Three Days
Oktoberfest 2023 @ Saddleback
October 7
October 7
One Day
Sunday River Fall Festival
October 7
October 8
Two Days
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sugarloaf posted a video to Facebook showcasing the project their 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.
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.
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!
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 Farmington, Farmington Falls, Jay, Wilton, and more. Drive safe, Mainely Skiers!
Weather:
It’s looking like another electrified weekend – and sadly, I don’t mean that being exciting. We’re looking another weekend of rain and possible T-Storms happening all weekend. Here’s to hoping Sunday stays rain-free and we can do some activities outside. Unfortunately, this summer is shaping up to be the summer that wasn’t.
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 Bike Park Now Open:
The Saddleback Bike Park has been open for around a month now, but last week, they announced the grand opening of 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.
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.
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 Pub
July 9
September 24
Every Sunday
BiKaRu Race in Rangeley
August 13
August 13
One Day
Northwoods Gravel Grind Afterparty
September 9
September 9
One Day
Xterra Trail Run World Championships @ Sugarloaf
October 1
October 1
One Day
Sugarloaf Homecoming
October 6
October 8
Three Days
Oktoberfest 2023 @ Saddleback
October 7
October 7
One Day
Sunday River Fall Festival
October 7
October 8
Two Days
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.
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.
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.
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.
In a Facebook post by Bruce Bicknell to the Unofficial Sugarloaf Facebook Group, you can see the progress already taking place over on West Mountain. To learn more, click the link below.
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 isn’t in the public eye as much as Barker 6, the two lifts should be complete when the snow flies. See more by clicking the links below.
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!
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 Farmington, Farmington Falls, Jay, Wilton, and more. Drive safe, Mainely Skiers!
Weather:
It’s looking like another electrified weekend – and sadly, I don’t mean that being exciting. We’re looking another weekend of rain and possible T-Storms happening all weekend. Here’s to hoping we get a few hours each day to get things done and get outside.
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!
Photo: Maine Drone Imaging
Mountain Report:
Mountain Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
68 / 68
100%
Sugarloaf
134 / 162
83%
Sunday River
128 / 139
92%
Pleasant Mountain
32 / 47
68%
Trail of the Day: Lower Kancamangus (Pleasant Mountain)
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:
Lollipop Races @ Saddleback
January 1
April 2
Every Sunday
Homeschool Day @ Titcomb Mountain
February 16
February 16
One Day
President’s Week @ Sunday River
February 17
February 26
10 Days
8th. Annual Winterpaloza
February 19
February 19
One Day
2nd. Annual February Fest @ Saddleback
February 24
February 24
One Day
Carrabassett Fat Tire Race:
Take part in the Carrabassett Fat Tire Race happening in the town of Carrabassett on Sunday, February 12. Click the link below to sign up. Hurry – as event registration closes on Friday, February 10.
On February 24, Saddleback Presents: The 2nd Annual February Festival at Saddleback Mountain Presented by Skowhegan Savings Bank Plus, the Torchlight Parade & Live Music! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to spend time with the Saddleback Family on that Friday of February Break. For more information, click the link below.
Don’t Miss Saddleback’s Après Music Series up in The Pub. After a great day of skiing, come inside to some great music and bites. See full schedule:
Date:
Music Artist:
February 10
Barney Martin
February 11
Toby McAllister
February 17
Jordan Kaulback
February 18
Humble Strings
February 21
Ryan McCalmon
February 25
Austin & Green Duo
March 3
Jordan Kaulback
March 4
Invite The Wild
March 10
TJ Swan
March 11
Toby McAllister
March 17
Jordan Kaulback
March 18
The Mallett Brothers
March 24
Austin & Green Duo
March 25
Kitty And TJ
King Of The Mountain Hill Climb:
Registration for the loudest party in the east opened recently. This event runs from Friday, April 21, to Saturday, April 22. This two-day event is presented by Hight Family of Dealerships, BOSS Power Equipment, and WIN Waste Innovations. Hurry – as this event will be capped for numbers. Register now to secure your spot!
Calling all kids 12 and under, Every Sunday at Saddleback, the Rangeley Alpine Ski Club will be co-hosting this event with the Saddleback Ski School. From 1-2, the gates will be open for racing followed by awards on the deck. contact the Ski School desk to sign up. The race takes place on skiers right of Royal Tiger, just below the Rangeley Chair. For more information, see the link below.
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!
Welcome back to the more positive temps! Oh have we missed them. What we haven’t missed is the non-frozen precipitation. Check out the upcoming weather for all the details.
If you’re ripping it up on the slopes this winter, make sure to tag us on Twitter (@mainelyskiing) and we’ll repost!
Weather:
As the weather is looking right now, Friday is a no-go – well, unless you want to get wet. For all the other “fair weather” skiers, like myself, we’ll snag the first chair on Saturday. Fortanly the rain doesn’t look like it’s going to do much damage to the slopes. Pray for snow!
Make sure to check out the Mountain Lift Status, as lifts and trails will be changing throughout the day and onto the weekend. Click the link below for more.
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 Name
Trails Open
Percent Open
Saddleback
67 / 68
99%
Sugarloaf
116 / 162
72%
Sunday River
126 / 139
91%
Pleasant Mountain
28 / 47
60%
Trail of the Day: White Heat (Sunday River) – Donny Pelletier
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:
Lollipop Races @ Saddleback
January 1
April 2
Every Sunday
Fire On The Mountain
February 3
February 5
Three Days
Homeschool Day @ Titcomb Mountain
February 16
February 16
One Day
President’s Week @ Sunday River
February 17
February 26
10 Days
8th. Annual Winterpaloza
February 19
February 19
One Day
2nd. Annual February Fest @ Saddleback
February 24
February 24
One Day
Fire On The Mountain:
Join Sugarloaf in celebrating all things Grateful Dead February 3-5, 2023 at the fourth annual Fire on the Mountain Festival, featuring Rose Alley and John Kadlecik! There will be music of Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead as performed by some of New England’s most talented bands; each with their own take on arguably the most enduring catalog of American rock and roll music.
On February 24, Saddleback Presents: The 2nd Annual February Festival at Saddleback Mountain Presented by Skowhegan Savings Bank Plus, the Torchlight Parade & Live Music! Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to spend time with the Saddleback Family on that Friday of February Break. For more information, click the link below.
Take part in the Carrabassett Fat Tire Race happening in the town of Carrabassett on Sunday, February 12. Click the link below to sign up. Hurry – as event registration closes on Friday, February 10.
Don’t Miss Saddleback’s Après Music Series up in The Pub. After a great day of skiing, come inside to some great music and bites. See full schedule:
Date:
Music Artist:
February 3
Denny Breau
February 4
Denny Breau
February 10
Barney Martin
February 11
Toby McAllister
February 17
Jordan Kaulback
February 18
Humble Strings
February 21
Ryan McCalmon
February 25
Austin & Green Duo
March 3
Jordan Kaulback
March 4
Invite The Wild
March 10
TJ Swan
March 11
Toby McAllister
March 17
Jordan Kaulback
March 18
The Mallett Brothers
March 24
Austin & Green Duo
March 25
Kitty And TJ
King Of The Mountain Hill Climb:
Registration for the loudest party in the east opened recently. This event runs from Friday, April 21, to Saturday, April 22. This two-day event is presented by Hight Family of Dealerships, BOSS Power Equipment, and WIN Waste Innovations. Hurry – as this event will be capped for numbers. Register now to secure your spot!
Calling all kids 12 and under, Every Sunday at Saddleback, the Rangeley Alpine Ski Club will be co-hosting this event with the Saddleback Ski School. From 1-2, the gates will be open for racing followed by awards on the deck. contact the Ski School desk to sign up. The race takes place on skiers right of Royal Tiger, just below the Rangeley Chair. For more information, see the link below.
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!
What a week! The first part was nice temperature-wise, followed by a cold front moving through the country which forced a cool-down felt all throughout New England.
If you’re ripping it up on the slopes this winter, make sure to tag us on Twitter (@mainelyskiing) and we’ll repost!
Weather:
There’s no sugarcoating it – we have some frigid temps on the horizon. Both today and tomorrow are on track for some wicked cold temps. Stay Safe and Warm! Make sure to check your local resort’s mountain report and local weather updates before you go. With the temps forecasted, you’ll get frostbite in under 5 minutes.
Make sure to check out the Mountain Lift Status, as lifts will be affected due to wind and temps. Click the link below for more.
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!
Holiday Torchlight Parade & Santa Visit:
Join the Saddleback family on Friday, December 30 for a night of fun! While they were planning on this being today, the weather made it so Santa couldn’t come down from the north pole. Thankfully, he is able to be there the following Friday, December 30, and will be accompanied by the employee torchlight parade down Grey Ghost. This is free and open to anyone! For more information, click the link below.
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 Week
December 26
December 30
Five Days
Holiday Torchlight Parade @ Saddleback
December 30
December 30
One Day
New Year’s Eve @ The Widowmaker
December 31
December 31
One Day
Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 8
January 8
One Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
January 14
January 16
Three Days
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. While you can catch some pretty amazing sunsets, you also are able to watch crews working. This past week, they strung the haul rope and the aXess gates are installed. Click the link below to watch them build the new Sandy Quad.
Photo: Saddleback webcams base camera. Calm before the storm (Taken 12/15/22 @ 4:34pm)
Last Chair:
Yesterday was a treat if you were lucky enough to be out on the slopes. Think snow everyone – we need it! If you’re ripping it up on the slopes this winter, make sure to tag us on Twitter (@mainelyskiing) and we’ll repost!
Weather:
If you’re planning on going out for tomorrow or Sunday, you might want to invest in some Gore-Tex if you haven’t already. Warm and dry is the name of the game. It’s shaping up to be a wet weekend and with the warm temps, snowpack gets affected. Don’t worry though, as man-made snow holds up better to rain and thaw events than natural snow.
Make sure to check out the Mountain Lift Status as the weather for this extended weekend might be interesting. Click the link below for more.
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!
Holiday Torchlight Parade & Santa Visit:
Join the Saddleback family on Friday, December 30 for a night of fun! While they were planning on this being today, the weather made it so Santa couldn’t come down from the north pole. Thankfully, he is able to be there the following Friday, December 30, and will be accompanied by the employee torchlight parade down Grey Ghost. This is free and open to anyone! For more information, click the link below.
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:
Jordan 8 Opening
December 26
December 26
One Day
Christmas Vacation Week
December 26
December 30
Five Days
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
December 27
December 27
One Day
Climb For A Cure @ Sugarloaf
December 29
December 29
One Day
Horse Drawn Wagon Rides
December 29
December 29
One Day
Holiday Torchlight Parade @ Saddleback
December 30
December 30
One Day
New Year’s Eve @ The Widowmaker
December 31
December 31
One Day
Vertical Challenge @ Saddleback
January 8
January 8
One Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
January 14
January 16
Three Days
Jordan 8 Opening:
Sunday River will be spinning their new Jordan 8 Lift this Monday, December 26. Sunday River’s Jordan 8 lift, as part of the Sunday River 2030 plan, has an opening date of December 26. They are choosing to raffle tickets to ride this to benefit the River Fund, and Maine Adaptive. Tickets will be sold for $5 dollars and won’t be included in the cost of a normal lift ticket. This raffle is to choose the first 8 people, or first chair, to ride the lift. For all the special details, click here. To learn all about it along with purchasing a raffle ticket, click the link below.
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. While you can catch some pretty amazing sunsets, you also are able to watch crews working. This past week, they strung the haul rope and the aXess gates are installed. Click the link below to watch them build the new Sandy Quad.
Photo: Saddleback webcams base camera. Calm before the storm (Taken 12/15/22 @ 4:34pm)
Last Chair:
What a beautiful week for Maine skiers and riders. With Mother Nature generously dropping over 2 feet of fresh snow across many mountains, it made for good skiing. You still can find those special pow stashes if you know where to look! If you’re ripping it up on the slopes this winter, make sure to tag us on Twitter (@mainelyskiing) and we’ll repost!
Weather:
If you’re planning on going out for today or tomorrow, you might want to invest in some Gore-Tex if you haven’t already. Warm and dry is the name of the game. It’s shaping up to be a wet weekend with some areas calling for around 3 inches of rain. Don’t worry though, as man-made snow holds up better to rain and thaw events than natural snow.
Make sure to check out the Mountain Lift Status as the weather for this extended weekend might be interesting. Click the link below for more.
