Saddleback 10 Year Plan Moving Forward

[salsgang]

According to news reports around here Saddleback is getting preliminary approval to move forward with its 10 year plan. I guess there is a July LURC meeting to get final approval.

http://news.mainetoday.com/updates/013552.html

I found on the LURC website the Saddleback application. It has a bunch of maps about the proposed changes. Its a bit confusing since some of the maps deal with the original owners plan before the new owners purchased, but here is the URL if anyone wants to check it out.

http://www.maine.gov/doc/lurc/projects/saddleback

I really hope this works out for them. My family discovered Saddleback this year and it really rocked. The 5 feet of snow they got in March / April certainly helped too. Nice mountain with a nice atmosphere with some killer skiing.

 

[salsgang]

They got approval from LURC today - this came in my email. Good for them. I hope this mountain moves forward and is successful in the coming years... With Sugarloaf & Sunday River New Owners, along with Saddleback moving forward, should be an exciting time for Maine skiing in the coming years:

SADDLEBACK'S 10-YEAR PLAN APPROVED

Rangeley, Maine -- Saddleback Ski Area in Rangeley, Maine, has received approval for its plan to develop a four season resort village and to construct nine new lifts and associated trails, snowmaking and skier facilities.

The mountain's Petition to Amend its 10-year Development Plan and Petition for Rezoning were approved unanimously by the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission at their July 11 meeting in Presque Isle.

The Petition to Rezone will add an additional 1,898 acres to the 1,960 acres that comprise the Planned Development District on Saddleback Mountain. The rezoning of the land to planned development will enable Saddleback to carefully craft an environmentally conscious, four season, recreational resort. Saddleback owns 8000 acres of mountains and lakes and most of it will remain as untouched wilderness.

"After three years of extensive studies, considerable expense and an abiding commitment to the natural beauty of Maine, the Berry family is one step closer to realizing their vision for Saddleback Mountain," commented John Cannizzaro, Development Manager.

Saddleback was purchased in 2003 by the Berry family of Maine. Since then, they have built a large post and beam base lodge, added 44% to the ski terrain, increased snowmaking to 85%, added a quad chairlift and trail system for beginners and families, and increased capacity on the Rangeley Chair, among other improvements.

The first phase of the development plan includes construction of the Magalloway lift and trail network; new trails in the high-elevation False Peak advanced area; an amenities center with indoor pool, spa and fitness center; tubing park; and tennis courts. Trailside lodging will be expanded with the construction of whole and fractional ownership condominiums and private homesites.

Further phases of development at Saddleback include continued real estate offerings, two inns, a hotel, village amenities, additional lift and trail systems and two day lodges. Snowmaking will expand with trail development.

Development in the village area will be in small clusters scattered throughout the development zone with each cluster not visible from the others. "This is a low density, low profile project that is different from real estate developments at other ski areas," Cannizzaro said.

The ski area also provides a different ski experience. It hosts classic New England ski trails with more trails per lift, resulting in fewer skiers per trail.

Saddleback Maine currently has five lifts and 60 trails with a 2000 ft. vertical drop. It is only one of seven ski mountains in New England with a top elevation over 4000 feet.

For information about the ski mountain, visit: www.saddlebackmaine.com. Information on real estate can be found at: www.saddlebackvillage.com

 

[Rushski]

Seems like they are going about the expansion the right way. Not just clearcutting as many trails as they can fit in (like some certain So. VT. areas). Keeping it as natural as possible, adding lifts, adding trails and not pissing off the locals with glitzy obnoxiousness...

Will probably hit Saddleback this upcoming season at some point.

They get the snow, just really a long drive for many of us.