Saddleback Ten Year Development Plan Map

[loafer89]

This was given to me by the real estate office at Saddleback last sunday and it shows the plan of development for the next 10 years. I had to fold the map to fit it in my pocket and it got a bit damp so hopefully everyone can still read it clearly, if not I can retouch and rescan it:

 

[riverc0il]

I get nervous when ever I look at their trail map with some of their proposed lifts. Let's hope they don't rush things and take care of needed business before going all crazy with installing five new lifts and cutting miles of new trails. Personally, I think this is more show for condo buyers than anything else. If they don't sell real estate, none of this is going to happen.

 

[jerryg]

I get nervous when ever I look at their trail map with some of their proposed lifts. Let's hope they don't rush things and take care of needed business before going all crazy with installing five new lifts and cutting miles of new trails. Personally, I think this is more show for condo buyers than anything else. If they don't sell real estate, none of this is going to happen.

And they have said just that in a recent Maine Sunday Telegraph article. The 10-year plan is contingent on real estate sales and apparently they have sold enough to begin construction on phase one of the condo/house lot project, this summer. The owner is pretty smart business wise and will not jump the gun by throwing in a bunch of lifts. Also, I believe he is a fan of second hand lifts and has vowed no hish-speed lifts. Not only is the summit (or close to it) still only reached by a t-bar, but Saddleback has even thought about adding more t-bars. An idea almost unheard of in this day and age, but one that I think it great as it preserves skiing's history and keeps people who don't belong on terrain, off it.

 

[loafer89]

The development plan makes no mention of keeping or replacing the existing T-bars. I think the best solution would be to keep the T-bars for high wind/bad weather days and build the new chairlifts at the same time.

It is hard to read the 10 year plan so here is a typed breakdown:

2007 - 2008

* Cut Magalloway lift line & 3 Magalloway trails.
* Snowmaking on 2 Magalloway trails, incl. valve house
* Cut 2 trails off Dazzler (between Muleskinner and Warden's)
* Amenity center, Tubing Park and Tennis Courts.
* 36 Timeshare Condos (Mountain Brook)
* 24 house lots near Magalloway lift area.
* 24 South Branch Condos

2009 - 2010

* Install Magalloway lift & continue Mag. trail developement
* Install False Peak lift
* Snowmaking on 2 Magalloway trails, False Peak trails.
* Rebuild Warming Hut
* Replacement of Cupsuptic T-bar with low level quad
* Race Center w/cafe above Rock Pond Clubhouse
* Magalloway Day Lodge
* Learning Center & magic carpet lift at Magalloway Lodge.
* 40 room in at old garage site
* 36 house lots - 16 Magalloway house lots - 3 on east side of Magalloway and 13 on
west side, 10 Quill Gordon Road triangle, and 10 at Oak Nubble.
* 34 condos - 16 Magalloway condos - below Rock Pond Condos, 18 west of parking lots.
* 48 Timeshare Condos - 24 below South Branch Condos, 24 west of parking lots.

A. 10 house lots

2011 - 2012

* Replacement of Kennebago lift w/quad
* Begin no name ski trails
* West Bowl backcountry trails
* West Bowl lift
* Add 20 rooms to Base Mtn. Inn
* Amentity area - part of Base Mtn. Inn.
* Employee residence hall off Quill Gordon Road
* 40 House lots - 10 lakeside, 22 in Quill gordon traingle, and 8 north of Quill gordon Road
* 20 Condos - north of Quill Gordon Road
* 66 Timeshare Condos - 18 near tennis courts, 24 between Magalloway trails, 24 north of
Quill Gordon Road.

B. Employee Residence Hall
C. 8 House lots
D. 20 Condos, 24 Timeshare
E. 10 house lots, Lakeside

2013 - 2016

* No name lift, trails, restaurant & day lodge
* offices & retail below main lodge
* 100 room hotel
* RV Park in Geneva Bog stream area - near hotel
* 20 Oak Nubble house lots
* 20 condos - near no name lodge
* 24 Timeshare Condos - near no name lodge
* 40 Additional House lots
* 88 Additional Timeshare condos
* 90 Additional Condos

F. 88 condos
G. 20 Condos, 24 Timeshare
H. 20 House lots
I. 20 House Lots
J. 20 House Lots
K. Hotel and RV Park
L. 90 Condos

 

[ski_resort_observer]

And they have said just that in a recent Maine Sunday Telegraph article. The 10-year plan is contingent on real estate sales and apparently they have sold enough to begin construction on phase one of the condo/house lot project, this summer.

As I have posted in other threads, Saddleback did phase 1 a couple of years ago, 27 condos and they have not sold very well so far. I am working on an update but according to their own press release last fall they had only sold 3 units. Maybe they didn't call this first developement phase 1 in regards to the article you reference.

As River pointed out IMHO what you have is just marketing mombo-jumbo. The fundementals of their real estate market is currently sketchy at best. Skiing is a big plus but location as far as accessability is a neg.

Summer tourist business is growing which is a positive that I hope will eventually turn things around for their real estate. If you havn't been to Rangeley in the summer you should put it at the top of your list, it's gorgeous up there.

If you look at the New England condo market there has been an explosion of units built and units proposed. Check out Stowe's plans for developement over at Spruce in the next 5 years, it's huge. The monster hotel under construction is just the start. Loon has South Park, Ginn at Burke. I think Haystack Club threw in the towel early cause they saw the writing on the wall.

I am very curious what SP Land(the real estate developement new owner/partner) at kmart will be proposing in the next year or so. What I have heard so far is that it's going to be big. Stay tuned.

 

[salsgang]

As I have posted in other threads, Saddleback did phase 1 a couple of years ago, 27 condos and they have not sold very well so far. I am working on an update but according to their own press release last fall they had only sold 3 units. Maybe they didn't call this first developement phase 1 in regards to the article you reference.

When we were at Saddleback the last day of the year I talked to a current condo owner who said Saddleback had sold almost 30 units by the end of the season... Most in March and April. Apparently they switch from a local real estate agent to someone 'from away' with much better results. Who knows how true it is but I wish them success. We had a lot of fun there this year.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

When we were at Saddleback the last day of the year I talked to a current condo owner who said Saddleback had sold almost 30 units by the end of the season... Most in March and April. Apparently they switch from a local real estate agent to someone 'from away' with much better results. Who knows how true it is but I wish them success. We had a lot of fun there this year.

The real estate agent from away is in Burlington and the word I got was in December they had deposits on 3 units so far but if you talked to a condo owner then my info might not be a accurate as I thought it to be. I have made an inquirey should have an update in a few days. I think everyone wants them to succeed so I hope the person you talked to is correct.

 

[MikeTrainor]

3 new chairs and magic carpet in 2009-2010...starting to sound like asc. Saddleback is on the list for next year, though, I hear so many great things.

 

[GolfingOwl]

Summer tourist business is growing which is a positive that I hope will eventually turn things around for their real estate. If you havn't been to Rangeley in the summer you should put it at the top of your list, it's gorgeous up there.

I'm headed to Rangeley this summer for the first time. We usually do two weeks in the Camden area but this year we are doing a week in Camden and a week in Rangeley to try something different.

Rangeley seems like a developing area. I'm a mountain biker and apparently they have a bunch of new trails to bike at the X-Country ski center. I'm interested in checking out Saddleback while I'm there (though they don't have mountain biking I hear so maybe I can hike it).

 

[ski_resort_observer]

I'm headed to Rangeley this summer for the first time. We usually do two weeks in the Camden area but this year we are doing a week in Camden and a week in Rangeley to try something different.

Rangeley seems like a developing area. I'm a mountain biker and apparently they have a bunch of new trails to bike at the X-Country ski center. I'm interested in checking out Saddleback while I'm there (though they don't have mountain biking I hear so maybe I can hike it).

At the moment the main draw to Rangeley is recreation on Rangeley Lake and camping at the state park. My kids like to hike and canoe. There was a cafe called Road Kill Cafe, not sure if it's still there. I bet the mountain biking should be alot of fun.

We also love Camden, we always camp at Camden Hills State Park at the bottom of Mt Battie. Have you checked out Camden Ski Bowl and the toboggen chute where they have the National Toboggen Championships. It's pretty impressive even in the summer. I think it's the only ski hill with a view of the ocean.

Hope you post your experiences at Rangeley here this summer.

 

[snoseek]

I'm headed to Rangeley this summer for the first time. We usually do two weeks in the Camden area but this year we are doing a week in Camden and a week in Rangeley to try something different.

Rangeley seems like a developing area. I'm a mountain biker and apparently they have a bunch of new trails to bike at the X-Country ski center. I'm interested in checking out Saddleback while I'm there (though they don't have mountain biking I hear so maybe I can hike it).

you might want to do a little fishing. this imo is what rangely is all about.

 

[GolfingOwl]

At the moment the main draw to Rangeley is recreation on Rangeley Lake and camping at the state park. My kids like to hike and canoe. There was a cafe called Road Kill Cafe, not sure if it's still there. I bet the mountain biking should be alot of fun.

We also love Camden, we always camp at Camden Hills State Park at the bottom of Mt Battie. Have you checked out Camden Ski Bowl and the toboggen chute where they have the National Toboggen Championships. It's pretty impressive even in the summer. I think it's the only ski hill with a view of the ocean.

Hope you post your experiences at Rangeley here this summer.

I hike and mountain bike Camden Hills state park all the time. I have been going to the area for 30+ years but have never actually gone over to the Snow Bowl. I keep meaning to but never seem to make it there. I'll definitely try this year.

We rent cottages on one of the nearby ponds when we are in Camden (usually Norton's Pond). My parents had a summer cottage there when I was young.

We love lakes - boating, swimming, fishing, etc.. I know Rangeley is more laid back than Camden but that is fine. We camp, but not when we take 2 weeks in Maine. We are renting a cottage on Rangeley Lake for the week.

Thanks for the info.