Saddleback - WOW!

[billski]

Saddleback launched their new web site. It's really very impressive.

Some things that really jump out at me, that really make the place competitive:

• 49$ lift ticket anytime.
• There sure are a lot of on-map glades. Looks like a lot of acreage and variety.
• Full day private lesson $70. Is that a typo? That absolutely BLOWS MY MIND! Stowe charges $135 for one hour, even Ragged charges $60 for one hour.

 

[deadheadskier]

link, so folks don't have to google

http://www.saddlebackmaine.com/

 

[Skimaine]

You missed this item "Season pass holders from any other ski area ski for $35"

Nice

 

[deadheadskier]

You missed this item "Season pass holders from any other ski area ski for $35"

Nice

really?

I might have to make it up for a weekend then. $49 is a great price as is, getting two days in at a mountain of SB's caliber for $70 is a steal.

 

[snoseek]

That new glade is going to be all time!!!

 

[trtaylor]

Saddleback launched their new web site. It's really very impressive.

Some things that really jump out at me, that really make the place competitive:

• Full day private lesson $70. Is that a typo?

Where do you see that? It says $299 on this page.

But I agree, a nicely done web site.

 

[billski]

Where do you see that? It says $299 on this page.

But I agree, a nicely done web site.

Duh, not there, I musta been looking at the DAY CARE page!:dunce:;'

Actually, I suspect they were doing web page development still. The page looks nothing like I remember it.

 

[speden]

The part about Saddleback that makes me say "wow" is when I look at the driving time to get there. They probably have to give a little discount to help people pay for gas.

 

[deadheadskier]

The part about Saddleback that makes me say "wow" is when I look at the driving time to get there. They probably have to give a little discount to help people pay for gas.

From Newton, it's maybe 15 minutes further than Sugarloaf. It obviously not as big, doesn't have the same lift infrastructure nor resort amenities, but it's for certain the best big mountain value in the east at $49.

 

[billski]

The part about Saddleback that makes me say "wow" is when I look at the driving time to get there. They probably have to give a little discount to help people pay for gas.

I wonder how successful a bus from the south would be?

 

[bigbob]

I wonder how successful a bus from the south would be?

I am sure the success will depend on the price of gas!

 

[riverc0il]

Okay web site. I like the looks better than the function

The part about Saddleback that makes me say "wow" is when I look at the driving time to get there. They probably have to give a little discount to help people pay for gas.

Nope. They offer some of the best quality skiing and riding around to compensate folks instead. Lift ticket price looks like it is actually up to $50... still the best deal for skiing east of the Mississippi hands down.

 

[speden]

From Newton, it's maybe 15 minutes further than Sugarloaf. It obviously not as big, doesn't have the same lift infrastructure nor resort amenities, but it's for certain the best big mountain value in the east at $49.

I think I could get to ANY hill in NH or VT in less time than I could get to Saddleback. It looks like I could even get to Whiteface in about the same amount of time it would take to get to Saddleback. Then in Maine, Sunday River is way closer, and Sugarloaf as you say another viable option. With so many closer hills, I'd probably only be tempted if I was on a long road trip in the area and wanted to check it out. For some reason Maine doesn't seem to have bought into the idea of the interstate highway system. Probably good for the environment, but bad for their best ski areas!

 

[speden]

Nope. They offer some of the best quality skiing and riding around to compensate folks instead. Lift ticket price looks like it is actually up to $50... still the best deal for skiing east of the Mississippi hands down.

Their lift setup seems a little funky. What's the story with the Kennebago quad? It looks like that services their big glade area, but you have to traverse halfway around the mountain on Dazzler to get to the Casablanca glade area. Is Dazzler actually a black diamond in pitch during that traverse? It looks pretty flat in the trail map.

 

[tcharron]

Duh, not there, I musta been looking at the DAY CARE page!:dunce:;'

Shweeet! HighwayStar is ALWAYS looking for deals like that! :-D

 

[Skimaine]

. . . For some reason Maine doesn't seem to have bought into the idea of the interstate highway system. Probably good for the environment, but bad for their best ski areas!

Maine interstate highway system = straight and wide two lane road used by logging trucks.

 

[deadheadskier]

I think I could get to ANY hill in NH or VT in less time than I could get to Saddleback. It looks like I could even get to Whiteface in about the same amount of time it would take to get to Saddleback. Then in Maine, Sunday River is way closer, and Sugarloaf as you say another viable option. With so many closer hills, I'd probably only be tempted if I was on a long road trip in the area and wanted to check it out. For some reason Maine doesn't seem to have bought into the idea of the interstate highway system. Probably good for the environment, but bad for their best ski areas!

All true arguments. However, the reasoning behind the recent investment in Saddleback is that 350 thousand skiers make their way to Sugarloaf each season. So, there is a market of people willing to travel 5 hours from metro Boston for skiing. Saddleback has similar qualities to Sugarloaf with 200 inches of natural snow, a 4000 foot peak, excellent steeps etc. With Rangely Lake at it's base, Saddleback actually has more to offer as a four season destination for the outdoor enthusiast than Sugarloaf.

I'm with you though. I've only been there once and it was when I lived in Portland, ME. I might make the trip this year though as I'm certain on a Powder day, Saddleback is as good as anywhere in New England.

 

[deadheadskier]

Their lift setup seems a little funky. What's the story with the Kennebago quad? It looks like that services their big glade area, but you have to traverse halfway around the mountain on Dazzler to get to the Casablanca glade area. Is Dazzler actually a black diamond in pitch during that traverse? It looks pretty flat in the trail map.

Dazzler to Muleskinner wasn't open the one time I was out there. I believe the reason for the black diamond rating is that there is no access to beginner or intermediate terrain when you go out there. If they rated it a green circle, unaware beginners might head out that way and find themselves in a bad place for their skill set.

 

[wa-loaf]

All true arguments. However, the reasoning behind the recent investment in Saddleback is that 350 thousand skiers make their way to Sugarloaf each season. So, there is a market of people willing to travel 5 hours from metro Boston for skiing. Saddleback has similar qualities to Sugarloaf with 200 inches of natural snow, a 4000 foot peak, excellent steeps etc. With Rangely Lake at it's base, Saddleback actually has more to offer as a four season destination for the outdoor enthusiast than Sugarloaf.

I'm with you though. I've only been there once and it was when I lived in Portland, ME. I might make the trip this year though as I'm certain on a Powder day, Saddleback is as good as anywhere in New England.

5 hours? Don't make it worse than it is. 4.25 hours from Boston. 3 hrs to Waterville and another 1.25 from there.

I wonder if they will be open over Thanksgiving. I think I'll be in Maine.

 

[deadheadskier]

5 I think is a fair estimate for Friday afternoon. On average it takes me 1.5 hours to get to Portsmouth area each Friday afternoon.

In perfect conditions, yes you could do it in 4 hours and 15 minutes. Real world for most weekenders on a Friday night with a stop for a bite.....

splitting hairs I know, but in comparison to almost every other area in New England, I understand speden's argument that Sugarloaf and Saddleback is a significantly further commute.