Any news at Big Squaw?

[Tooth]

Nothing concrete, but apparently the current owner of Squaw is selling an island he owns off the coast of Florida to a person/persons/company. As part of the sale, Big Squaw Mt will be sold as well. According to some online chatter, the buyers are from Venezuela. It remains to be seen if these rumblings are true and if this group has any interest of running a ski area. I guess stay tuned. I know there was another local/Maine group looking to put something together in regards to purchase. As my many years of having lived near Moosehead/D-F, rumors fly and die like the black flies.

Links?

 

[billski]

Big Squaw Mountain owner accused of harvesting timber on restricted land

Big Squaw Mountain owner accused of harvesting timber on restricted land



Thursday, April 19, 2012 Last update: 10:01 a.m.
BIG MOOSE TOWNSHIP, Maine — Three state agencies will convene on Thursday to determine if the owner of Big Squaw Mountain Ski Resort violated restrictions on his land by harvesting timber on a particular parcel.


The Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Land Use Regulation Commission and the attorney general’s office will meet to reach a decision.
James Confalone bought about 7,000 acres in 1994 from the Bureau of Parks and Lands, according to a letter Confalone sent to the bureau in November. About 1,200 acres have timber harvesting restrictions set by the Bureau of Parks and Lands.


LURC sent Confalone a notice of violation on Aug. 31, 2011, for harvesting timber on the restricted parcel of land. Rod Falla, LURC’s Greenville regional supervisor, said he wasn’t sure how many acres were harvested but the letter sent by Confalone to the Bureau of Parks and Lands in November said 40 to 50 acres were harvested without a permit. In his letter, Confalone said the harvesting of timber was halted after he was alerted to the restrictions

...
“It’s not clear as to when he can cut trails,” said Rodrigues. “The argument can be made that he’s planning on opening in the next couple of years and needs to cut the trails.”
Falla said if Confalone is found to be in violation, the case will move to the attorney general’s office.


Source
Bangor Daily News

 

[tomcat]

I talk regularly to the guys in Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville and the editor/writer of the Moosehead Matters newspaper. The rumors about the place change as often as the weather. Lately the talk has been positive at least as far as Confalone maybe trying to sell or being forced to sell. In a few weeks it will probably change back to he's keeping it.

 

[billski]

AG considering charges against Big Squaw owner; state building tower atop mountain

By Alex Barber, BDN Staff
Posted Aug. 02, 2012, at 7:12 p.m.

GREENVILLE, Maine — The Maine Land Use Regulation Commission will decide Friday whether to refer an enforcement action against the owner of Big Squaw Mountain Ski Resort to the Maine Attorney General’s Office.
...
James Confalone, CEO of Mountain Inc., bought about 7,000 acres in 1994 from the Bureau of Parks and Lands. About 1,200 acres have timber harvesting restrictions set by the Bureau of Parks and Lands.
...LURC says that the harvest was done without permit approval and that the land has deed restrictions for timber harvesting.

Rodney Folsom, a real estate agent in Greenville who is a spokesman for Mountain Inc...
...Folsom told the Bangor Daily News in April that the timber was harvested to extend ski trails. REALLY???:roll:

 

[tomcat]

Talking to Northwoods Outfitters in Greenville ME just yesterday, they said that Big Squaw is bought pending a dispute over illegal logging by the long time owner that let it go downhill. The guy in the shop claims to have talked to the proposed buyer(s) that plan to actually dump money into it. Again this is just the outfitter talking but he claims they hope to be at least up and running as soon as two year after some improvement. The rumors about this place change as often as the weather but this is the most promising, hopefully it's true.

 

[Skimaine]

I know the folks at Northwoods and they are a good source of info. Let's hope it is true.

 

[tomcat]

A group called Friends of Squaw Mountain is hoping to have the lower mountain open on or around MLK day this year. This is coming from the editor of the Moosehead Matters newspaper in Greenville.

 

[riverc0il]

Wow, awesome! Go Big Squaw!

http://www.friendsofsquawmtn.org/

http://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSquaw

Looks like their Facebook page is updated frequently regarding goings on and the operational status and what help they need. Really cool! If they eventually get their upper mountain lift back on a future seasons, I'll be there!

 

[xwhaler]

Long drive but the views up there of Moosehead do look amazing.....I love old school mtns w. character so probably would try and get a day in up there someday.

 

[xwhaler]

http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/ski/blog/2013/01/squaw_or_phoeni.html

Nice short article on Squaw. I have friends who have a camp about 90 mins from Squaw and 35 from Eaton Mtn in Skowhegan.
I'm pulling for both of these guys to get off NELSAP as it would be a fun day trip basing out of their camp.

 

[wa-loaf]

Eaton Mtn in Skowhegan.
I'm pulling for both of these guys to get off NELSAP as it would be a fun day trip basing out of their camp.

I spent a lot of time at Eaton in my youth. I hope they can get it going again.

 

[riverc0il]

Seriously considering driving up their and skinning to the summit with the lower mountain lift assistance. Looks like I could probably ski all of the summit trails once each if I made a full day of it (and go when I am back in shape, lol). We'll see what happens. Really hope that they get that summit lift open... the place must be incred on a powder day being so far off the grid.

 

[emmaurice2]

Sincerely hope they can sustain it. Looks like a massive undertaking. Squaw is one of those areas I always wanted to ski but never got to.

 

[Vortex]

Maine Travel Maven

4 hours ago


Only in Maine: 2 mechanics from Sunday River are installing a used drive control from Sugarloaf Mountain on Squaw Mountain's lower lift in prep for reopening.

 

[wa-loaf]

Maine Travel Maven

4 hours ago


Only in Maine: 2 mechanics from Sunday River are installing a used drive control from Sugarloaf Mountain on Squaw Mountain's lower lift in prep for reopening.

Nice!

 

[billski]

It's amazing how much volunteer people-power (and money) they got in such a small amount of time. Reminds me of Northeast Slopes. Now let's hope the landowner doesn't pull the plug on the lease. If that happened, I'm sure a special hunting season would be declared . I wonder if he gets a tax write off.

 

[billski]

A surprise delivery of firewood showed up today. Donated. God, makes me want to move up there, if for nothing else the people! Love it!

 

[billski]

and this

Pepsi and snow go together!

 

[billski]

and this


Thank you Marilyn Goodwin from Crazy Moose Fabrics & Beaver Cove Camps for the classy valances. They were hung in the Main Room of the lower lodge today. The rods are recycled Squaw Ski Poles, custom made and installed by John & Cindy Bohl. Wicked cute! — at Big Squaw Mountain Ski Resort.

 

[billski]

and this


Handsome new LLBean clocks and thermometers installed at the lodge and lift houses. Thank you for the donation Appalachian Mountain Club!