Saddleback (Maine) Report

[Angus]

We're planning a Maine trip the first week of December. Stay in Rangeley 4-5 days and hit SL, SR and Saddleback.

they plan to open on the 13th of December

 

[tipsdown]

They are also adding 4 new trails this year, 3 of which wil be diamonds and double diamonds. One of the trails (Artula) will be the lift line which was mentioned in this thread. This should be a great trail. The other 2 (Frost Bite and Black Beauty) are in the west mountain bowl, and should be awesome terrain. They're going to be narrow, winding and steep, and at least one will remain ungroomed. I agree this mountain has tremendous potential. It already has some of the best terrain in the East and it hasn't scratched the surface in terms of what they have planned. On a side note, I've skiied almost every big player in the East and I haven't skiied an on map glade as ridiculous as Dark Wizard. Take this from the summit (left off the chair and on skiiers left thru a goat path that drops you into the trail.I's unmarked from this point) There's also been rumors of them openening up the biggest glade field in the east as development continues.

As far as the other lodge goes, there are plans to build at least one other lodge so I don't believe them nixing those plans is true. They will grow out of the current base lodge within 2-3 years. They also have a 60-80 room inn that they are planning to break ground on next summer. This was as of September so we'll see how the current state of the economy effects their growth plans.

Bottom line, if you're a serious skier, you will love Saddleback. Get there before everyone else is...

 

[Moe Ghoul]

they plan to open on the 13th of December

We confirmed going up for 4-5 days sometime between the 11th and the 17th. Our friend's house is near the Saddleback access road.

 

[tipsdown]

An interesting point was made when I stopped by the booth at the Boston Ski Expo:
Saddleback is considering opening the largest glade field in the East with the remaining terrain between a new diamond trail that was cut for this season called Black Beauty, and Muleskinner. I imagine this would be the most unique, and challenging terrain in the region, not to mentioned a great marketing ploy: "Drop into the tree line Gladefields from the summit Snowfields." This would be Saddleback's identity. It would be serviced by a new quad that would travel to the summit, which they plan to install within the next 2 years. The location of the lift can be seen on their trail map.

 

[deadheadskier]

An interesting point was made when I stopped by the booth at the Boston Ski Expo:
Saddleback is considering opening the largest glade field in the East with the remaining terrain between a new diamond trail that was cut for this season called Black Beauty, and Muleskinner. I imagine this would be the most unique, and challenging terrain in the region, not to mentioned a great marketing ploy: "Drop into the tree line Gladefields from the summit Snowfields." This would be Saddleback's identity. It would be serviced by a new quad that would travel to the summit, which they plan to install within the next 2 years. The location of the lift can be seen on their trail map.

The glade field idea is very cool. I don't really see the point in the second quad though. I would think the current lift would more than suffice the uphill capacity needs for that area. If anything, I would think a surface lift would be the better call as insurance against wind hold. As I've mentioned before, I think they'd be better served upgrading the Rangely Double to a modern triple or working on the proposed Magalloway trail pod to expand intermediate and beginner terrain. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea that the Saddleback is trying to make a name for itself as the place to be for advanced skiers and riders, but I'd hate to see them fail because of too narrow of a focus on their product. Expanding intermediate terrain and upgrading lifts that service such terrain I think would be desperately needed to improve real estate sales, which will drive the mountain's long term success.

 

[tipsdown]

The glade field idea is very cool. I don't really see the point in the second quad though. I would think the current lift would more than suffice the uphill capacity needs for that area. If anything, I would think a surface lift would be the better call as insurance against wind hold. As I've mentioned before, I think they'd be better served upgrading the Rangely Double to a modern triple or working on the proposed Magalloway trail pod to expand intermediate and beginner terrain. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea that the Saddleback is trying to make a name for itself as the place to be for advanced skiers and riders, but I'd hate to see them fail because of too narrow of a focus on their product. Expanding intermediate terrain and upgrading lifts that service such terrain I think would be desperately needed to improve real estate sales, which will drive the mountain's long term success.

Come to think of it, I'm not sure if he specified whether or not it was a quad lift or not. But I like your idea of the surface lift for wind hold insurance. Not to mention, no one other than experts would be skiing this area so there should be no concern about a t-bar in this case. I definitely do see the need for another lift though. The traverse out to the end of that ridge is too far from the current quad lift and I know they plan to expand ski terrain further to the east of Muleskinner (skier's right), which would make it more necessary. Also, they actaully did mention that upgrading the Rangeley double chair was in the near future. That will be a quad for sure and they said they may put in a super quad.

But there's no question, this gladefield plan will improve their bragging rights as having potentially the best expert terrain in the region. Supposedly, there's just as much advanced terrain potential off the west side of the mountain (off America) that they plan to develop that area as well.

I agree that more terrain that caters to intermediates will help ultimately drive their long term success since that's where the biggest chunk of the market is. I'm sure that will happen naturally as they expand terrain in the aforementioned Magalloway area as well as the terrain expansion on the other side of the mountain where 2 more lifts have been proposed. Most every big player in the ski resort industry has a ton of blue trails, but ultimately success is driven by being able to separate yourself from the competition, and there's no question adding this gladefield will accomplish that. This will serve the need for a unique brand that will help shape their idenity. Just having a lot of great cruisers like the rest of the big resorts is not going to cut it.

 

[loafer89]

What must come along with the current and proposed trail/lift expansion is affordable lodging on mountain. Currently if there has been plentiful amounts of snow during the winter the population of snowmobilers far exceeds that of skier's.

The lodging options in Rangeley are fairly meager and they fill up to capacity on weekends, making anything more than a day trip difficult at best. Being so remote, Saddleback needs an on mountain hotel/inn.

 

[tipsdown]

What must come along with the current and proposed trail/lift expansion is affordable lodging on mountain. Currently if there has been plentiful amounts of snow during the winter the population of snowmobilers far exceeds that of skier's.

The lodging options in Rangeley are fairly meager and they fill up to capacity on weekends, making anything more than a day trip difficult at best. Being so remote, Saddleback needs an on mountain hotel/inn.

I agree, that's probably their biggest vice at this point. They're losing out on a lot of business by not having affordable on mountain lodging. As Saddleback's popularity grows, the more imperative it will be to provide lodging, especially given the remote location. Having said that, I believe the plan is to break ground on a 60 room inn this coming spring/summer. Last time I was there, they had some renderings up of what it would look like, and it looks impressive. Based on the drawings, it will be in the mold of the base lodge. There also appeared to be a village area that would include other ammenities, shops, a couple of eateries, pool, spa tennis courts etc...

 

[riverc0il]

The glade idea is cool but that would require a LOT of work. Saddleback has a very tight forest (as evidenced by many of the existing glades) so it isn't as simple as just thinning the samplings and limbing the trees. Although I heard that is what it looks like they did to make Dark Wizard, which is great, but isn't going to fly for 95% of tree skiers. That area would take a ton of man power to open up. It would be quite the tree skiing mecca if it happened though. That area is pretty big.

 

[tipsdown]

I was at the Portland Me Ski Expo over T-Day break and the representative for Saddleback said they're in the preliminary stages of developing plans to ski the backside bowls of Saddleback. Because of the AT, there won't be any lifts installed on the back, but there would be down the side of the West bowl, allowing for access to the back. There would obviously be a way to get back around to the front. Supposedly, there's nothing like Saddleback's backside terrain anywhere in the East (aside from Tuckerman's). This, along with their plans for " the largest glade field in the East" off the summit's front eastern bowl, would have to make Saddleback the East's skiiing mecca for experts. Simply put, this would be incredible.

 

[deadheadskier]

I was at the Portland Me Ski Expo over T-Day break and the representative for Saddleback said they're in the preliminary stages of developing plans to ski the backside bowls of Saddleback. Because of the AT, there won't be any lifts installed on the back, but there would be down the side of the West bowl, allowing for access to the back. There would obviously be a way to get back around to the front. Supposedly, there's nothing like Saddleback's backside terrain anywhere in the East (aside from Tuckerman's). This, along with their plans for " the largest glade field in the East" off the summit's front eastern bowl, would have to make Saddleback the East's skiiing mecca for experts. Simply put, this would be incredible.

I'm all for it, but the superlatives they use could get toned down some. They already market the Summit Quad as serving the largest advanced terrain complex in the East, which I think is a bit of an over marketing job; not as bad but similar to Sunday River calling White Heat the Steepest, Longest, Widest trail in the east.

There's this little place in Vermont called MRG that I think Saddleback has a long way to go before it catches and start calling itself the mecca for advanced skiers.

I wish Saddleback well and can't wait to get back up there again some day. Great mountain

 

[tipsdown]

I'm all for it, but the superlatives they use could get toned down some. They already market the Summit Quad as serving the largest advanced terrain complex in the East, which I think is a bit of an over marketing job; not as bad but similar to Sunday River calling White Heat the Steepest, Longest, Widest trail in the east.

There's this little place in Vermont called MRG that I think Saddleback has a long way to go before it catches and start calling itself the mecca for advanced skiers.

I wish Saddleback well and can't wait to get back up there again some day. Great mountain

I agree that they could tone down the largest self contained advanced skiing terrain in the East slogan. All that really means is it's an area where there's only diamonds and double diamonds, without greens or blues. As a skier, it's nice to stay in one general area if you want to ski them, but that's really all it's saying.

The largest gladefield in the East would be justified in completely legit however. The area where it would be developed would be almost 1/2 mile long, as the entire ridgeline is over 3/4 of a mile long. And the terrain up there is certainly steep. MRG has got to take that claim at this point as ski mecca for the advanced and Saddleback could only grab the title if/when these plans come to fruition.

In terms of the backside bowls, I've heard by some reliable sources that this terrain is potentially unmatched by other "ski resorts." The snow stays softer and it's not exposed to as much wind as the front. A lot of the snow from the summit blows off into the back bowl. I had a chance to ski portions of it last year and I can only imagine what it would be like if it were more developed.

 

[snoseek]

I personally feel Saddleback has the potential to be a top player in the east with the development of that terrain. It would be incredible-I would fly to Maine for a week every March to ski it.

 

[Johnskiismore]

Great news to hear about Saddleback! Good to read to the feedback too!

 

[tipsdown]

I personally feel Saddleback has the potential to be a top player in the east with the development of that terrain. It would be incredible-I would fly to Maine for a week every March to ski it.

Before I heard about the back bowls I thought Saddleback could be a top player in the East with what they already had planned for terrain development. But this could put them at another level.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

In terms of the backside bowls, I've heard by some reliable sources that this terrain is potentially unmatched by other "ski resorts." The snow stays softer and it's not exposed to as much wind as the front. A lot of the snow from the summit blows off into the back bowl. I had a chance to ski portions of it last year and I can only imagine what it would be like if it were more developed.

I think we need to be careful in what we're referring to here b/c there are like 4-5 distinct bowls onthe back side of the mountain. I've seen the expansion plans posted on the Saddleback website, and they all contain a depiction of the future "West Bowl" lift. This lift would serve only the Cascade Stream basin facing WSW. With prevailing winds from the W and NW, I don't see how that particular basin gets blow in from the ridge. Now if we're talking about the Conant, Winship and Hardy stream basins, that's a different story, as theyface SE/ESE and would be on the lee side of the mountain relative to the prevailing winds - not unlike Castlerock at SB.

 

[tipsdown]

I think we need to be careful in what we're referring to here b/c there are like 4-5 distinct bowls onthe back side of the mountain. I've seen the expansion plans posted on the Saddleback website, and they all contain a depiction of the future "West Bowl" lift. This lift would serve only the Cascade Stream basin facing WSW. With prevailing winds from the W and NW, I don't see how that particular basin gets blow in from the ridge. Now if we're talking about the Conant, Winship and Hardy stream basins, that's a different story, as theyface SE/ESE and would be on the lee side of the mountain relative to the prevailing winds - not unlike Castlerock at SB.

Tin Woodsman,

You bring up a good point. These backside bowls that I'm referring to are the SE/ESE facing bowls you mentioned. The West Bowl lift is something they've had planned for development for a couple of years now and they plan to continue to move forward with that. The development of the "backside", are recent talks, which I believe are being driven by the new CEO (former Sugarloaf owner) Warren Cook. Prior to him being there, I had heard no talk of developing the backside, in large part due to the jockeying that will more than likely be needed because of the well documented AT issue.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

Tin Woodsman,

You bring up a good point. These backside bowls that I'm referring to are the SE/ESE facing bowls you mentioned. The West Bowl lift is something they've had planned for development for a couple of years now and they plan to continue to move forward with that. The development of the "backside", are recent talks, which I believe are being driven by the new CEO (former Sugarloaf owner) Warren Cook. Prior to him being there, I had heard no talk of developing the backside, in large part due to the jockeying that will more than likely be needed because of the well documented AT issue.

Now THAT'S interesting. Those bowls are steeper than anything on the front side and would receive copious amounts of the aforementioned blow in from the ridge. Would require two lifts to get back to the front side, however, b/c they'd need to stay well clear of the AT ascending the ridge.

 

[Beetlenut]

Before I heard about the back bowls I thought Saddleback could be a top player in the East with what they already had planned for terrain development. But this could put them at another level.

Any pictures or maps to show what you are talking about? I have been wanting to get up to Saddleback for a few years now!

 

[tipsdown]

Now THAT'S interesting. Those bowls are steeper than anything on the front side and would receive copious amounts of the aforementioned blow in from the ridge. Would require two lifts to get back to the front side, however, b/c they'd need to stay well clear of the AT ascending the ridge.

You're right that would make sense. I'm guessing they somehow incorporate the West Bowl lift in order to do this since I believe there's less wiggle room along the east side of the ridge. And if I remember correctly, the bowl that tumbles down the summit on that end of the ridge is one of the best areas of the bowl. As for where the other lift would go, that's anyone's guess at this point, and is obviously an integral part of the development. There aren't any plans of this on paper that I'm aware of. As I mentioned I believe this is very new news since it's only started to be discussed no earlier than Warren Cook's arrival (this past fall). I'll be heading up there this weekend or next so I'll try to get more information on it as it becomes available.

It's still worth the trip even without the backside open. Here is a link to the trail map that includes the proposed plan, which has now been in place for a couple of years. From what I understand, the location of these proposed lifts are subject to change to a certain degree i.e. slightly different location, different length but they're all expected to be implemented to one degree or another

For example, from what I understand, there may be a new lift that's installed in between the proposed lift furthest to the East and the south Branch Quad. It would more than likely unload in between the proposed false peak lift and the Kennebego lift.