Saddleback Mountain Expansion

S

skiharmony

New member
I was talking with the developer of the 10 year expansion plan and he told me that by next year when they install the 2 new lifts on the east side of the mountain that they'll be over 2200 ft. vertical. Only 5 in New England are at that vertical. They just scratched the sufrace with what they plann to do and it's already the best ski experience in Maine in my estimation. There's over 2000 ft. vertical with small lift lines and some of the best terrain in the East. With the aformentined 2 lifts, they plan to open the biggest glades field in the East. And there's 7 other lifts planned! I encourage everyone to check out the mountain this winter. within the next 5-6 years, they have planned the following:
A Village, 120 room Hotel, 2 Inns, Ammenities center, condos,
home sites, and there's rumors of eventually having world class golf course down the line. Wow. Plus Rangeley is one of the most scenic towns in the state and will thrive with saddleback's expansion.
 
No I'm not the owner. What other motive would I have to promote other than the fact I'm excited to see another 1st class ski resort in Maine? Do you have any recommendations?
 
Well, there are a whole host of reasons that can involve self-promotion besides resort ownership (real estate ownership, contracting, ancillary business ownership/investment, etc.) but the best motivation I can think of is to keep Saddleback off the list of lost ski areas. It's a terrific mountain that has long had enormous potential even if it is saddled (pun fully intended! :cool: ) with a location on the other side of the planet. I for one would be very happy to see the new(ish) owners succeed.
 
skiharmony,

I was just kidding around with you. I've actually heard good things about Saddleback, but the only place I've actually skied in Maine thus far is Sunday River.

There's a chance I may be taking a job out of the northeast during late 2008, so this may be my last easy chance to ski some of the places in the east this year that I haven't yet. I was thinking about heading up to Sugarloaf and may have to look at stopping by Saddleback for at least a day sometime this year to check it out.

I don't know how the hell I am going to get all of these places with a doctorate to finish up (argh).

-Craig
 
Anyway.........

I agree it is a hike especially living in Boston. But there's not many (quasi) undiscovered mountains that have the means and the resources to become a 1st class ski experience. It's worth the hike for $40 and small lines.
 
Craig,

No problem :wink:
Sugarloaf is a great mountain. I prefer it to Sunday River. I've spent the most time on that mountain than anywhere esle and the reason I'm familiar with Saddleback is that it's a 35 minute drive from the Loaf. So...you should be able to get to both. It's great 2 have 2 great mountains that close in proximity.
 
My favorite ski area in Maine is Sugarloaf, however I've only been to 2 areas. :wink:

Heard some good thing about Sadlleback and it is on my list to visit. Hope I can make a few turns there in the coming future. I just need more time and vacations to visit all the places I want to. Too many places, not enough time. :wink:
 
I think the idea with Saddleback is it will be a legit alternative to Sunday River and Sugarloaf. I think it will be more in the mold of Sugarloaf as they're trying to preserve some of the classic New England skiing feel with more narrow winding trails. But I think it will be a bit more spread out (less so than sunday River) as their developing a couple of other peaks that funnel down to 3 lodges as opposed to 1. One thing I don't like about the mountain is the Kennebego T-Bar which runs to the summit. They are replacing the T-Bar with a quad to the Summit which is completely necessary.
 
Saddleback is an insanely great mountain with some of the tightest on map glades around and some remarkably aesthetic trails. Now that Magic and Burke are starting to get some press and attention, I would call out Saddleback as the best kept secret in New England. I wish the new ownership luck, especially with their new plans, however I do fear they are over reaching slightly with what they intend to do with the area. There is a lot of competition today and Boyne really stepped up the game in Maine. Here's hoping Saddleback not only survives but thrives. Definitely a ski area on my personal top ten in the northeast list. Video from 2006 at Saddleback.
 
skiharmony":2lyf87rv said:
One thing I don't like about the mountain is the Kennebego T-Bar which runs to the summit. They are replacing the T-Bar with a quad to the Summit which is completely necessary.
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Be careful what you wish for. I have very mixed feelings about this, personally. There are reasons that lines are typically short at Saddleback, and that things have a wonderful "back to my childhood" feel to them. The T-bars are two of them. I don't always love riding the upper T-bar, I confess, but I'd rather have an open T-bar than a chair on wind hold. And you KNOW that if they put a chair in this spot it will be on wind hold a LOT.

I have had several locals in the know explain that it's critical to put in the chair because currently they have to mark everything on the upper mountain with a black diamond because you have to be an expert to ride the lift, difficulty of the trails notwithstanding. I can understand that, and I want the mountain to succeed. But why not leave the T-bar in place too - not only for weather-related reasons, but as an option when lines are long at the chairs?
 
Unfortunately, much as I love that T-bar, a summit chairlift is totally needed for Saddleback to survive and thrive. Currently, the best terrain on the mountain is made extremely hard to get to for snowboarders. I have seen a few boarders successfully navigate the Kennabago T-Bar but I have seen a majority flail, fail, and slide away in frustration. Many upper intermediate and lower advanced skiers could handle the terrain but can not handle the T-bar. Even for those skiers that can easily handle the T-bar, an unfortunate majority would prefer a chairlift and many may not patronize the mountain, or more importantly buy into real estate, without a padded cushion to seat their $300 ski pants. I think retaining the T-bar for high wind days may be a good idea but that means cutting another lift line because a chairlift sure as heck is not going up the side one of the main trails. Much of Saddleback's development plans are rather suspect and boarder on needless, but a summit chairlift is definitely essential for long term viability.
 
Even for those skiers that can easily handle the T-bar, an unfortunate majority would prefer a chairlift and many may not patronize the mountain.
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Better tell those people to stay away from Chile. All 3 upper lifts at Valle Nevado are pomas. About half of La Parva and El Colorado's lifts are T-bars. Then, of course there are the Va-et-Vient high speed pomas at Portillo, where I had occasional issues exiting cleanly.
 
I really doubt the majority of skiers that put money into ski areas pockets even know there is skiing in Chile let alone have considered the trip. But that certainly makes the area more enticing for myself :D if I had the cash.
 
Given your skiing preferences, you should probably skip the Valle Nevado group and go to Portillo/Arpa and Chillan. Or Las Lenas, which is nearly all chairs, but also not laid out very efficiently.

But for someone who has skied nearly all in the East and is looking to maximize ski quality per $ on a destination trip, Utah and interior B.C. make a lot more sense.
 
Make that tour during Week 10 at the Iron Blosam, and my son Adam and Ben Solish
jaws_ben.jpg
would enjoy showing you around. Outside that time frame you'll have to put up with admin . :wink:
 
riverc0il":30zmnw3v said:
Unfortunately, much as I love that T-bar, a summit chairlift is totally needed for Saddleback to survive and thrive. Currently, the best terrain on the mountain is made extremely hard to get to for snowboarders. I have seen a few boarders successfully navigate the Kennabago T-Bar but I have seen a majority flail, fail, and slide away in frustration. Many upper intermediate and lower advanced skiers could handle the terrain but can not handle the T-bar. Even for those skiers that can easily handle the T-bar, an unfortunate majority would prefer a chairlift and many may not patronize the mountain, or more importantly buy into real estate, without a padded cushion to seat their $300 ski pants. I think retaining the T-bar for high wind days may be a good idea but that means cutting another lift line because a chairlift sure as heck is not going up the side one of the main trails. Much of Saddleback's development plans are rather suspect and boarder on needless, but a summit chairlift is definitely essential for long term viability.
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riverc0il ,

I beleive that they are going to repace the T with the quad to the Summit only, and the other T-bar (cupsuptic) will stay so access to the west site of the mountain will remain open when the chairs are on wind hold.
 
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