Question: New England Newbie: Maine or somewhere nearby?

[Marian]

Maine has to be the one part of New England I know best. I have family there so figured maybe I'll plan a few days' skiing somewhere in the area. My cousin doesn't ski :Cry: otherwise I'd sure ask her. So, what about Maine? Or, if I can get as far as Maine (Belfast, etc.) is there a ski area nearby I should consider first? Where the heck's Killington in relation to skiing in Maine? I'm happy to ski somewhere intermediate, where the focus is on skiing & on the less-expensive side.

If I ski somewhere nearby other than Maine maybe I could see my cousin on the way up, or when I'm headed back south. But I'd really like to see her while I'm up there.

Thanks again, Divas!
Marian in DC
*Firmly attached to Chesapeake Bay*

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Marian --- when are you going? Are your dates flexible? I'd wait til March when snow is better. Or even later. We have great skiing in April here.

Belfast is mid-coast, and skiing is a considerable drive from there - not day-trip material.
Closer to Portland, north and slightly west, your choices are: Shawnee Peak (nice day area - Bridgton, ME), Sunday River (mega-resort, bit farther - Bethel, ME)---or if you want to go for the "Big Kahuna" Sugarloaf -- due north of Portland & Lewston/Auburn (about 2 hours north of L/A). All would be something of a haul from Belfast....but if you wait until mid-March or later, there's generally good, cheap overnight lodging not right @ resorts but fine if you've got a car (which you obviously do). Don't be fooled by compact little New England -- but if you're familiar with ME, you know that the distances are deceiving and farther than they seem to be on a map.

Nonetheless, certainly would be worth your while!
I'd be glad to meet up with you at either Sunday River or Sugarloaf, as my pass is good at both resorts---I just won't do Sunday River on a weekend, as the place is a bit too frantic for my "rural-ness." Both resorts are vast. Shawnee Peak, easier drive, is also very nice.

Do a google map of these from Belfast to get a better idea of distances and drive times.

 

[SaddlebackGirl]

Maine Skiing

I would say that you should hit up Saddleback. It is a nice big and quiet mountain. Since you are near the coast like I am... I would suggest never going to Hermon Mtn. (sorry to any Hermon lovers out there!!!)
It is just very small and over run with high school boys. Have fun wherever you pick!!!

 

[WildKitten]

*Firmly attached to Chesapeake Bay*

Hi Marian. I'm also *Firmly attached to Chesapeake Bay*.

My heart belongs to a 33ft Chaparral named NautiGull.

As much as I enjoy skiing it's my husband's passion. He dragged me into it (with a bit of kicking and screaming on my part) after we were married.

What keeps you attached to the Beautiful Chesapeake Bay?

 

[fatoots]

I would say that you should hit up Saddleback. It is a nice big and quiet mountain. Since you are near the coast like I am... I would suggest never going to Hermon Mtn. (sorry to any Hermon lovers out there!!!)
It is just very small and over run with high school boys. Have fun wherever you pick!!!

SaddlebackGirl! I am heading up there this weekend. Can I get some 411 from you? Is the lodge restaurant really only open until 7 or 8? Is the food ok, or should we venture into Rangely? We are staying in Mountain Brook. Do you have any idea what trail they will hold an alpine event, and if it might be hike-able? (Some of the other parents were asking...I plan on having my skis!) I know the Slopestyle is supposedly right off the main lodge area. What trails are fun? Any good long groomers?

If you are around you should stop by the course and look for me!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Alpine events usually held on Silver Doctor, designated race trail.
https://www.saddlebackmaine.com/html/trailmap.php?s=249
Hikeable to an extent, from the base of it.
Heads up, access to summit of this trail is a t-bar (easy one, though).
Good cruising on Grey Ghost and Green Weaver.
Definitely try the new (fixed-grip) quad to the summit, where you will be (on a clear day) seeing all the way to Mt Wash and looking DOWN at Sunday River (base elevation of Saddleback is even higher than Sugarloaf). Non-double black trail access is to the east of the new quad.
Not sure about lodge restaurant hours but lots of options (and certainly better ones) in Rangeley, such as the Red Onion.

 

[playoutside]

SaddlebackGirl! I am heading up there this weekend. Can I get some 411 from you? Is the lodge restaurant really only open until 7 or 8? Is the food ok, or should we venture into Rangely? We are staying in Mountain Brook. Do you have any idea what trail they will hold an alpine event, and if it might be hike-able? (Some of the other parents were asking...I plan on having my skis!) I know the Slopestyle is supposedly right off the main lodge area. What trails are fun? Any good long groomers?

If you are around you should stop by the course and look for me!

We were at Saddleback for MLK weekend for the second year. Great mountain, plenty of variety. We had insane weather this year (-4 at the base on Saturday at 10AM, 30MPH winds/snow on Sunday so only lowest lift opened, 14" fresh snow on Monday). We ended up at Mountain Brook this year, it's brand new and very nice. We were in Rock Pond last year and started in South Branch (lots of issues and not as roomy as Rock Pond) but got moved to Mountain Brook. We were a big group and had plenty of space in our side-by-side condos.

The lodge is beautiful, was really empty Friday night, lively on Saturday and pretty empty on Sunday night. I think we stayed in the lodge/bar until 7ish on Saturday and there was a pretty good crowd, not sure how late there was a crowd. We made our own fun in the condos. The food in the lodge is typical bar food, not bad, ok variety. The access road is long and dark, so venturing into Rangeley wasn't on our list. We decided last year that it was best to have all we needed before we headed up the road (7-8 miles I think). With the storm and wind we had this year, it would have been treacherous driving.

We plan to go back again next year. Saddleback is a very accomodating mountain, has enough variety for all levels, slow lifts so the trails are never crowded, it has a nice vibe too. Best is that all of the staff was always helpful and glad that you are there.

Hope you have a great trip.

 

[fatoots]

Alpine events usually held on Silver Doctor, designated race trail.
https://www.saddlebackmaine.com/html/trailmap.php?s=249
Hikeable to an extent, from the base of it.
Heads up, access to summit of this trail is a t-bar (easy one, though).
Good cruising on Grey Ghost and Green Weaver.
Definitely try the new (fixed-grip) quad to the summit, where you will be (on a clear day) seeing all the way to Mt Wash and looking DOWN at Sunday River (base elevation of Saddleback is even higher than Sugarloaf). Non-double black trail access is to the east of the new quad.
Not sure about lodge restaurant hours but lots of options (and certainly better ones) in Rangeley, such as the Red Onion.

One of the CVA moms mentioned the Red Onion as well. Depending on how long the day runs and how we feel, maybe we'll try that.

 

[fatoots]

We were at Saddleback for MLK weekend for the second year. Great mountain, plenty of variety. We had insane weather this year (-4 at the base on Saturday at 10AM, 30MPH winds/snow on Sunday so only lowest lift opened, 14" fresh snow on Monday). We ended up at Mountain Brook this year, it's brand new and very nice. We were in Rock Pond last year and started in South Branch (lots of issues and not as roomy as Rock Pond) but got moved to Mountain Brook. We were a big group and had plenty of space in our side-by-side condos.

The lodge is beautiful, was really empty Friday night, lively on Saturday and pretty empty on Sunday night. I think we stayed in the lodge/bar until 7ish on Saturday and there was a pretty good crowd, not sure how late there was a crowd. We made our own fun in the condos. The food in the lodge is typical bar food, not bad, ok variety. The access road is long and dark, so venturing into Rangeley wasn't on our list. We decided last year that it was best to have all we needed before we headed up the road (7-8 miles I think). With the storm and wind we had this year, it would have been treacherous driving.

We plan to go back again next year. Saddleback is a very accomodating mountain, has enough variety for all levels, slow lifts so the trails are never crowded, it has a nice vibe too. Best is that all of the staff was always helpful and glad that you are there.

Hope you have a great trip.

I can't wait. It's good to hear a good review of the condo unit. I hear more snow is coming this week So I'm hoping conditions and temps will be perfect.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

One of the CVA moms mentioned the Red Onion as well. Depending on how long the day runs and how we feel, maybe we'll try that.

Really about the same as going from Sunday River to Bethel. Longer access road (with more vertical rise) but otherwise, Rangeley is right there. IGA on right side of main highway, town just past it. Onion is kind of a local legend place, just a couple of blocks in. Food not exceptional but decent. Rangeley's a great town, 4-season, fabulous lake.