Something's going on at Saddleback

[Mister Moose]

Bar/restaurant: Work is progressing nicely on expanding the floor all the way to the wall and windows on the mountain side of the third floor. The bar will be twice the size of the old one. We’re also expanding seating capacity from 126 to nearly 400, so even in a world where we may have to limit capacity to 50% of our max we will still have nearly 70% more capacity than previously. On top of that, there will be so many more views up the mountain, it should be a spectacular experience.
Bathroom: We are building a bathroom with individual stalls and a common wash area, and incorporating the latest in hygiene design, but it will also provide a new level of convenience for our guests.

Saddleback 5 20.jpg (144.05 KiB) Viewed 1712 times

After years of being closed, after a failed sale to an Australian house of cards, there is now a lift being built in Rangely, Maine.

But, 4 and a half hours from Killington, that's a heck of a day trip.

[Big Bob]

This might be one of the only new lifts being installed in New England since others were postponed this summer. The lift they are replacing is junk, so nothing to loose if construction has to shut down due to the second wave hitting. Maine has some pretty low numbers, especially in this location. plenty of room to social distance!

[RustyK]

Never been there. Looks like more expert terrain than I thought.

Casablanca woods look nice too...

[skiadikt]

always thought the mtn looked intriguing. it's got elevation, latitude and not a lot of traffic so probably holds snow real well. with the ikon now attached to the 365 pass, a mid-week trip to sugarloaf w a day or two at saddleback could be on the table.

[DES]

I haven't been up there since they expanded with the Casablanca glades and upper chair (Muleskinner was there, and some glades, but not how it is now). My best ski friend from the late 80's to 90's moved up there a couple years before they closed and he loved it while it lasted after they created all the glades. I'll start a post here when I make plans to go up there next season, we could get an insider tour...cool summit, the view from up top seems like you're out in the wilderness, at least when I was last there.

[TheRat]

Haven't skied there in a while, last time the year before they closed. We used to go up there when our kids were little because it wasn't crowded during school vacations. It's a bitch to get to. If it were closer, people would rave about it. Kind of like Magic only on a much bigger scale. Its major drawback, other than location, was always the double chair that was the main lift. A long, slow 14 minute slog to the top on rickety chairs.

The terrain is terrific. Some nice narrow windy trails, old school New England vibe. Casablanca is amazing, great glade riding. The mountain gets more snow than many other places and holds it well. The views from the top of Saddleback Lake are amazing. Plus the town of Rangeley is cool in a northern Maine type of way. Kind of a throwback to the old days. It's definitely worth a trip, especially combined with a visit to the Loaf, which is less than an hour away.

[Dickc]

Saddleback's new logo. Too damn funny!!!!

[Big Bob]

Will you be back on the slopes COVID willing this season DickC?

[Dickc]

Will you be back on the slopes COVID willing this season DickC?

I have another fusion scheduled for Tuesday. That has a three month healing time before PT can start. With that mark landing 2 weeks before T-day, I might be approved to ski by the end of January. After 2+ seasons off the boards, plus being basically a couch potato for much of it, the legs will need a lot of gentle slopes when I first get back, but I do hope its this winter!