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Maine Sunday Telegram 

Maine Guide to Winter 2006 -2007

 

 

Ready, Set, Snow...at Maine's ski resorts"

Maine mountains have seen early season snow, which has skiers and riders excited about the upcoming season. As skiers, we like to look at the glass as half full, and full of flakes like snow globes. However last winter’s mild temperatures and mediocre snowfall made one thing crystal clear in Mother Nature’s crystal ball; our ski resorts can no longer rely on natural snow. That wake-up call caused most Maine ski areas to spend the off-season bolstering snowmaking and addressing long-term capital plans.

While you won’t see sparkling new lifts at Maine resorts this season, your boards should find better snowmaking, and modest improvements around base areas should enhance your experience. A few ski areas will debut new trails and ramped up terrain parks to further entice you. Here is what’s new in Maine’s snow country.

 

Sunday River will open soon, continuing their reputation of providing quality snow, whether it comes from the sky or more often the case – from their impressive arsenal of snow guns.

Skiers arriving at Sunday River will see evidence of the “beautification” project. What sounds like a reality TV makeover is actually $2 million in improvements to Barker and South Ridge bases. Outdoor fire pits at South Ridge will provide a place to gather and defrost, and a locker-room at Barker provides a place to stash your stuff (note to those who leave huge ski bags under tables). Fans of the Foggy Goggle will find the Goggle has been wiped clean, sporting a brand new look for après ski.
On the mountain, Barker features a new trail, “Southpaw” which connects Lower Upper Cut to the mid-section of Agony, avoiding the steepest pitches. Over at Jordan Bowl, “Lollipop” will join Lollapalooza from Excalibur. Re-designating the mid-section of Three Mile Trail, now dubbed Second Mile, brings Sunday River’s trail count to 131.
 

Sugarloaf plans to open Nov. 17, showing off a similar polish to its base village, their “beautification” includes a makeover to landscaping, signage and siding throughout the slopeside buildings.

On the mountain, Sugarloaf will unveil an as-yet-unnamed trail and terrain park located between the Superquad and Lower Narrow Gauge. The half-mile long park notches up the thrill scale for park lovers, while amplifying the entertainment for those riding the Superquad. Go to Sugarloaf’s website to enter the naming contest and perhaps become part of Sugarloaf’s fabled history. Skiers will enjoy regaining Lower Double Bitter where the previous Stomping Ground park was located.

In the Base Lodge, Sugarloaf’s Rental Shop has been relocated to the top floor for better slope access, and Mountain Adventures moved to the lower level to consolidate all children’s programs with one stop drop (and don’t forget, pick up) for parents.

Also newsworthy, Sugarloaf is cooking up environmentally correct fuel. The shuttle buses and groomers will use restaurant oils as biodiesel, ride the French Fry Express back to your condo to assuage guilt about the fries you ate at Bullwinkles.

Sugarloaf recently dusted off their master plan, the resort has adequate land and obvious longing to develop new terrain at West Mountain, including a hotel.

Sugarloaf and Sunday River renewed last season’s kid-pleasing entertainment series with Nickelodeon, so SpongeBob will return to Maine for more SquarePants silliness on snow.

If you have driven along the pleasant stretch of Route 302 past Moose Pond, you have seen significant mountainside construction at Shawnee Peak. The $10 million East Slope condo project is climbing up Pleasant Mountain, 32 ski in - ski out homes are being built for vacation ownership and rental.

While you won’t see wind turbines on Pleasant Mountain, Shawnee is going “green” by purchasing wind power from New Wind Energy to offset 100% of the fossil fuels used for snowmaking, heat and lights – the first ski resort in Maine to do so.

On the mountain, two of Shawnee Peak’s five lifts have been upgraded. The Lil’ Pine Carpet Lift (new last season) is longer, increasing the size of the Beginner area. Rabbit Run has been re-graded to eliminate the tricky "double fall-line" for beginners. The Summit Triple Chair received new crossbars to improve riders’ space and comfort during the scenic ascent.

Racers can rejoice that NASTAR returns to Shawnee Peak after a seven-year hiatus. The NASTAR course on East Slope offers skiers and riders, young and old (with a leveling handicap system), the opportunity to race gates competing with local friends and national US Ski Team pacesetters. Throughout the season, you can pursue a qualifier spot at the season-finale National Championships in Steamboat, Colorado. Mt Abram is the only other Maine resort currently hosting NASTAR.

Passholders at Mount Abram will be pleased to find 60 tower guns, increased snowmaking pipe and replaced pumps to improve snow conditions this winter. Josh and Susan Burns, owners of Mount Abrams, have announced a three-year capital investment plan, with snowmaking and a new magic carpet on the West Side as the first items in place this season.

The Burns’ future upgrades include a new snowmaking pond next winter. A new grooming fleet, slopeside townhouses, and lift upgrades are planned for Mount Abram’s 50th anniversary in 2008.

Saddleback’s scheduled opening is Dec. 16. Skiers will find several on mountain improvements, and the return of $40 lift tickets, and $25 monthly Maine Days. In the past three years, the Berry family has spent $15 million at Saddleback on lifts, a new base lodge, and a 44% increase in terrain. This year, snowmaking continues to expand on Governor, Warden’s Worry, Upper and Lower Professor. Newly cut trails are the gladed Happy Garrison, Jane Craig, and Parmachenee Belle, bringing Saddleback’s total to 60.

The Berry’s future plans include four new chairlifts accessing terrain in Horn and West Bowls, and a four-season village with mountainside condos and a hotel, pool and ice-skating. New private home sites are available above the base lodge, and Mountain Brook timeshares on the lower mountain.

Camden Snow Bowl enters the season with improved snowmaking distribution and re-graded Terrain Park and Tubing hill. Camden continues to offer affordable community ski and snowboard programs, $13 half-day tickets ($11 for kids) making it feasible for families to ski and snowboard without breaking the bank.

Lost Valley will open four new expert trails, two of which are glades. These brief but well-pitched runs, previously poached by locals, are accessed from the Silver Chair. Snowmaking has been increased on the popular Chipmunk Trail, and more free-riding features have been added around the ski area, including a few viewable from the main lodge – so you can watch others launch while you lunch.

Black Mountain in Rumford enters the winter with increased snowmaking, new glades and added hits to the Terrain Park. In keeping with Maine Winter Sports Center’s goal of re-establishing skiing as a lifestyle throughout the state, tickets prices at Black will remain at $20 for adults.

The non-profit organization, MWSC, also operates two world-class Nordic centers and two alpine areas in Aroostook County, Big Rock and Quoggy Jo. Big Rock is adding a four lane Tubing Park with snowmaking and lights for nighttime sliding. Après ski will be a better experience at Big Rock with a new lounge. MWSC is also partnering with Pineland Farms in New Gloucester for Nordic skiing.

The news from Big Squaw is less promising. The summit double chairlift, which malfunctioned back in March 2004, remains in disrepair. Greenville area residents report that owner James Confalone has declined offers from locals to fix the lift, and from Plum Creek to purchase the ski area. Last winter, the lower mountain triple chair operated only 17 days, and snowmaking is now in need of repair.

 

At the Maine Ski Show held in Portland last month, anxious alpine attendees shared one sentiment – “this winter can only be better than last.”