Portland, ME – Across the state of Maine, ski areas reported a fast start to the 2010-11 winter season following a timely blizzard which dumped two feet of snow on Monday, Dec. 27, just in time for Christmas Week visitors.nThe fresh snow fell in skiers’ back yards throughout New England, which added a level of enthusiasm to the school vacation week, says Ski Maine Association president Greg Sweetser.
According to Melissa Rock at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton and Kevin Rosenberg at Mt. Abram in Greenwood, the new snow was followed by three days of beautiful weather which resulted in the busiest holiday in years at both resorts. At Mt Abram, “The cars were parked along the ski area access road,” adds Rosenberg.
At Camden Snow Bowl in Camden, the ski area sold out their lessons and rental ski equipment and according to general manager Jeff Kuller, “To have such demand for lessons indicates real growth potential from local families.”
Saddleback owners Bill and Irene Berry celebrated the 50th anniversary of the ski area in Rangeley on Dec. 31 to an overflow crowd and cars lining the roadside. Maine Governor John E. Baldacci declared Dec. 31, 2010, Saddleback Day in the State of Maine in recognition of the golden anniversary.
“Our family is proud to be a part of Saddleback’s 50 year history,” said co-owner Bill Berry. “The resort started operations on Dec. 31, 1960 with just two T-bars and has now grown into a year-round destination providing genuine Maine hospitality, and affordable skiing and riding for everyone. We are touched that Governor Baldacci has honored the resort with this proclamation.”
Sugarloaf visitors skied on more than 100 trails following the blizzard, attracting bigger crowds each consecutive day through Friday despite last Wednesday’s highly publicized deropement of the resort’s Spillway East double chairlift in the wake of the storm. Boyne Resorts stablemate Sunday River in Newry offered 512 acres of skiing and snowboarding on 95 trails, leading Maine and New Hampshire in the amount of open ski and snowboard terrain. Sunday River experienced one of the best revenue generating days since 2008, signifying not only great ski conditions, but another indicator of the recovery of Maine’s tourism industry.