Big Squaw Maine Cat Skiing

[deadheadskier]

Pretty cool. If you have been following along, they've spent all summer trimming and reclaiming the summit trails. They look amazing

Now they're under agreement to buy a transport Cat.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02otTnWF7E8Y5U4uDGSDvquqLnWxSLxfMqbQg5vALd7y3Q7moeNzAWqyTExjeHcHLZl&id=100079758198216&mibextid=Nif5oz

 

[thetrailboss]

I think this is so awesome.

 

[LoafSkier19]

Love what this group has been able to do. Haven’t made it up there since 2016 but definitely want to make the trip back this year to support their effort this summer. Looks like they are selling 12 cat trips for $250, all 12 are completely transferable. Also an uphill only season pass for $150, which comes with one cat ride.

 

[Newpylong]

The Upper Mountain trails look incredible. Sel Hannah built...

 

[deadheadskier]

The Upper Mountain trails look incredible. Sel Hannah built...

I didn't know Sel designed those trails. I just reached out to my closest ski bum friend from my days at Stowe 20 years ago. Sel was his great grandfather. He knew nothing about the goings on at Squaw until I shared this with him. Already talking about getting his brother, sister and all of their kids up there.

How cool would that be? Go cat skiing on trails your great grandfather designed

 

[Cat in January]

Sel was to have said the Penobscot at Squaw was his favorite trail.

 

[LoafSkier19]

The trails are great. Lot’s of character and they are quite long. I’d compare it to the terrain off the Rangeley chair at Saddleback. A tall task, but there’s some great potential for glades between those trails. Would really add to the experience if this venture is successful for them.

 

[deadheadskier]

The trails are great. Lot’s of character and they are quite long. I’d compare it to the terrain off the Rangeley chair at Saddleback. A tall task, but there’s some great potential for glades between those trails. Would really add to the experience if this venture is successful for them.

My dream scenario is Saddleback and Squaw eventually find themselves under the same ownership group......that has DEEP pockets. Haha

Saddleback today is already my favorite New England skiing experience by far. I bet Squaw would be number 2 for me if developed the same. Only because it's smaller, lower elevation and likely gets less snow.

The two of them together would be amazing on a pass. The four seasons potential for both is unrivaled in New England. Moosehead might be the premier boating lake in the Eastern US. You just need to be willing to go the distance to experience them.

 

[Cat in January]

There was at least one glade skiers left of the piscataquis trail. Hardwoods make better glades in general in the northeast.

 

[snoseek]

My dream scenario is Saddleback and Squaw eventually find themselves under the same ownership group......that has DEEP pockets. Haha

Saddleback today is already my favorite New England skiing experience by far. I bet Squaw would be number 2 for me if developed the same. Only because it's smaller, lower elevation and likely gets less snow.

The two of them together would be amazing on a pass. The four seasons potential for both is unrivaled in New England. Moosehead might be the premier boating lake in the Eastern US. You just need to be willing to go the distance to experience them.

Pair them with an area that's a little closer and it would be amazing. I can't see many people committing to that drive every time they want to ski.

 

[raisingarizona]

I don’t see how a cat skiing operation there could actually be profitable. The maths just don’t line up for me. These sorts of oops usually only last a year or two.

 

[deadheadskier]

Pair them with an area that's a little closer and it would be amazing. I can't see many people committing to that drive every time they want to ski.

For sure. But even if not, I'd be in for the right price. I could figure out how to get up there ten days a winter, minimum. Maybe my traditional week at SB I've settled into and a couple long weekends to Squaw

Heck, get them on Indy now!

 

[Newpylong]

I didn't know Sel designed those trails. I just reached out to my closest ski bum friend from my days at Stowe 20 years ago. Sel was his great grandfather. He knew nothing about the goings on at Squaw until I shared this with him. Already talking about getting his brother, sister and all of their kids up there.

How cool would that be? Go cat skiing on trails your great grandfather designed

Pretty legendary. I just hope they eventually can get a lift back up there. Sel Hannah (Jr) is actually on the NH Tramway Board.

 

[Cat in January]

Unfortunately the lower mountain, the part that has a lift is pretty meh. Guessing all the work restoring the trails and getting a cat operation going is to show someone with pockets what the potential is.

Relative to Saddleback less wind and a bit less snow. It’s not the elevation, it’s just snows less in that part of the State. Much better four season opportunity as a beautiful sandy pond on property and much closer to the lake.

Back in the day, Canadians from the Maritime provinces were a big part of the visitors.

 

[urungus]

Upper Mountain at Big Squaw to Reopen with Snowcat Service - NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com

According to above article, there is 1040 feet of vertical between the top of the lower mountain lift and the summit. How long would it take for the cat to make a round trip ? Given that the capacity of the cat is 13 passengers, I would think some significant lines might develop.

 

[Cat in January]

I would guess there would be reservations on the hour or something similar.

 

[LoafSkier19]

Historically they may get a little less snow but they retain the snow very well, ever since they opened back up I swear that area seems to more often than not be the bullseye for deepest snowpack in the state on NOAA’s snow depth maps.

 

[deadheadskier]

Just booked a little cabin in downtown Greenville second weekend of March. Can cancel without penalty up to 2/23 if something doesn't work out with the Cat plan. Figure that's about the best bet for good snowpack. Hopefully this all works out.

 

[deadheadskier]

Cat made it from CO to Squaw

 

[BodeMiller1]

It seems overkill. Are the trails thinned? Why don't they put a T-Bar behind it?

Are people allowed to bring skis and only skis?

Is all of this information available in the thread?

If I ski there will the natives get mad. Is it as bad a Sunday River in that regard?