Saddleback Maine just announced that it won't reopen if it doesn't receive $3 Million in financing

JohnLocke

JohnLocke

Member
Saddleback Maine just announced that it won't reopen if it doesn't receive $3 Million in financing!! I'm sure most NSers don't know this mountain, but it is one of the most beautiful mountains on the East Coast. You never have to wait in line for anything, you always have the mountain to yourself. This past winter I had fresh tracks for an entire day pretty much every time I went. The lodge is great, the is terrain challenging and interesting, and the vibe is amazing. Just trying to preserve the memory in case it closes.

EDIT: OP please us a relevant title in the future. - Mods

**This thread was edited on Jul 20th 2015 at 5:20:11pm
 
I worked park crew there this past year, and although not suprising, it is incredibly sad. A lot of really incredible people poured their lives into this place, and its going to be a major blow to the local community if they cannot get this financing. Maybe someone will buy the place as it is for sale, but damn, this news hit me hard.

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Fingers crossed I will be able to ski at this hill again this year.
 
Didn't they just put the bottom of the rangely lift for sale too? damn this sucks. I hope they can figure out a way, maybe sell kennebago and put in the t-bar from camden that they bought?
 
wait just read the report, it says they need it just to replace to rangely lift. Can't you still access all of the mountain without it using the short t-bar? It's not really ideal and would hurt skier visits but at least at least they could be open. Are there operating costs really so high they couldnt make it without the rangely lift?
 
13464119:w_skier said:
wait just read the report, it says they need it just to replace to rangely lift. Can't you still access all of the mountain without it using the short t-bar? It's not really ideal and would hurt skier visits but at least at least they could be open. Are there operating costs really so high they couldnt make it without the rangely lift?
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You can access the whole mountain without the rangeley chair, but people wouldnt come any longer. Operating costs are relatively low for a ski area, but we struggled with getting people on hill, the people who skied there loved the shit out of it. Lots of very loyal guests. I would correlate it to a Grand Targhee next to the more famous Jackson. Saddleback next to Sugarloaf.

Its a local hill, its a shame we couldn't compete with the neighbors.
 
Wow I had no idea about this. That's really a shame, i went to saddelback for the first time this year and i was really really impressed. i wish i could do something to help them
 
13464159:ndye said:
You can access the whole mountain without the rangeley chair, but people wouldnt come any longer. Operating costs are relatively low for a ski area, but we struggled with getting people on hill, the people who skied there loved the shit out of it. Lots of very loyal guests. I would correlate it to a Grand Targhee next to the more famous Jackson. Saddleback next to Sugarloaf.

Its a local hill, its a shame we couldn't compete with the neighbors.
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damn, I really hope if this doesn't work out they can still make it through with different owners or something. The place has had loads of money poured into it for the past few years, so hopefully it won't be gone forever.
 
13464173:w_skier said:
damn, I really hope if this doesn't work out they can still make it through with different owners or something. The place has had loads of money poured into it for the past few years, so hopefully it won't be gone forever.
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Saddleback has gone through some tough times in the past, so I'm hoping it can make it through this using it's previous experiences.
 
that really says something about the profitability of running a ski resort in today's market, after the east coast just got one of their best winters in a long time.
 
13464196:broto said:
that really says something about the profitability of running a ski resort in today's market, after the east coast just got one of their best winters in a long time.
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Whats needed is skiers to look outside of their normal destinations, nobody from Maine skied at Saddleback despite everyone who did giving it excellent reviews, it was shocking to me how few of my friends were willing to go.
 
13464197:ndye said:
Whats needed is skiers to look outside of their normal destinations, nobody from Maine skied at Saddleback despite everyone who did giving it excellent reviews, it was shocking to me how few of my friends were willing to go.
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My family has been skiing there since the 70's so i've pretty much grown up there. I always see the same people on the mountain. We are pretty much a small community. Also, it always surprises me how my friends aren't willing to drive an extra 30,40 minutes to go to Saddleback instead of Sugarloaf.
 
I've been there before. Not this past season but the season before. Loved the place. It was crowded but it was also due to the fact I stupidly went during vacation week. They've got some real fun terrain. I hope someone can help fund them to stay open.
 
Crying out loud for Saddleback! Hope it'll be settled soon. That mountain is too cool to disappear in our ski vacation destinations.
 
This sucks so much, really bummed to hear about the real locals mountain of Maine dropping. Can't say I've skied there more than a few times, but it's always sad to see a hill go.
 
topic:ck0belski said:
You never have to wait in line for anything, you always have the mountain to yourself. This past winter I had fresh tracks for an entire day pretty much every time I went.

**This thread was edited on Jul 20th 2015 at 5:20:11pm
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A hill like that can't last very long, as kickass as they may be. It really sucks. Maintaining lifts/lodge/other necessities is a bitch.
 
13464555:AnGaper said:
A hill like that can't last very long, as kickass as they may be. It really sucks. Maintaining lifts/lodge/other necessities is a bitch.
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I kept thinking this every time i hot lapped the mountain without any lines. Good things sometimes don't last
 
It's more than just the terrain that really connects with me at this place, The crew that turns out is always such a great group of dudes, and I'd hate to lose that atmosphere. I choose it over Loaf/Sunday River every time, it's just such a fun fucking time. Some rich guy needs to pull through for us.
 
This is my hill. Been skiing there since I was ten years old, and this news makes me very sad. The mountain has been through some tough financial times these pas years, so this news is a little less surprising.

Saddleback has a spectacular vibe, with even more spectacular terrain and people!

Its a local gem, and it breaks my heart to hear they may not open. Save America's small ski areas!
 
If it doesn't open, people who are dedicated will skin and ski it on the reg and get unlimited freshies all the time, more than they already claim to get when they go there.
 
13464870:Forcillo said:
It's more than just the terrain that really connects with me at this place, The crew that turns out is always such a great group of dudes, and I'd hate to lose that atmosphere. I choose it over Loaf/Sunday River every time, it's just such a fun fucking time. Some rich guy needs to pull through for us.
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13465024:caseytaylor said:
This is my hill. Been skiing there since I was ten years old, and this news makes me very sad. The mountain has been through some tough financial times these pas years, so this news is a little less surprising.

Saddleback has a spectacular vibe, with even more spectacular terrain and people!

Its a local gem, and it breaks my heart to hear they may not open. Save America's small ski areas!
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Good to hear from some locals! Ya for sure I always enjoy hot lapping the park with the regulars. Always a great time!
 
13465091:1337 said:
If it doesn't open, people who are dedicated will skin and ski it on the reg and get unlimited freshies all the time, more than they already claim to get when they go there.
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They claim it cause saddlerash has got it sonny!
 
13464527:perryhunter said:
Crying out loud for Saddleback! Hope it'll be settled soon. That mountain is too cool to disappear in our ski vacation destinations.
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in the same boat.. go their for the whole month of February.
 
You never know. Even if it closes down, it could get bought out and reopen. West mtn in NY was pretty fucked, beat up lifts, in a lot of debt etc. Got bought out, seems to be doing pretty well now. I think greek peak got bought out as well the same year.

There definitely are some gems that disappear here and there, but hopefully somebody that has some $$$ with see it as an opportunity, and spend some time and $ fixing things up and trying to make it more profitable.

Never cool to have your local hill go down. There was a small ski hill in the town I grew up in. At 2 different points it was closed. At first for 4 years, then for 1 or 2, and then later for 4 or 5 after I left the area.

A real bummer. Can def understand the sadness at the thought of losing your local hill.

Best of luck.
 
13465288:theabortionator said:
You never know. Even if it closes down, it could get bought out and reopen. West mtn in NY was pretty fucked, beat up lifts, in a lot of debt etc. Got bought out, seems to be doing pretty well now. I think greek peak got bought out as well the same year.

There definitely are some gems that disappear here and there, but hopefully somebody that has some $$$ with see it as an opportunity, and spend some time and $ fixing things up and trying to make it more profitable.

Never cool to have your local hill go down. There was a small ski hill in the town I grew up in. At 2 different points it was closed. At first for 4 years, then for 1 or 2, and then later for 4 or 5 after I left the area.

A real bummer. Can def understand the sadness at the thought of losing your local hill.

Best of luck.
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Appreciate your kind words man. It's going to certainly be tough for me and lots of others if they can't pull through.
 
In other news, those of us on the park crew are moving westward, anyone need a full crew who can manhandle your park while balling on a budget?
 
13465531:ndye said:
In other news, those of us on the park crew are moving westward, anyone need a full crew who can manhandle your park while balling on a budget?
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Do you know who, if Saddleback does indeed come through this, will be handling the park crew next year?
 
13465542:ck0belski said:
Do you know who, if Saddleback does indeed come through this, will be handling the park crew next year?
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Spencer will be holding it down as the park manager again, Ross wont ever leave Rangeley, and they will get some kids from UMF in on it, Nate Chase MIGHT stay in the area so if they pull it off he will be there.

The terrain park needs some work though, we had so many cat issues this year it was outrageous, it was a struggle to get the park groomed on the weekends let alone midweek. What they do with the park will be interesting.
 
13465091:1337 said:
If it doesn't open, people who are dedicated will skin and ski it on the reg and get unlimited freshies all the time, more than they already claim to get when they go there.
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It'd be sooo rad to gather a huge group of people to do this
 
13465544:ndye said:
Spencer will be holding it down as the park manager again, Ross wont ever leave Rangeley, and they will get some kids from UMF in on it, Nate Chase MIGHT stay in the area so if they pull it off he will be there.

The terrain park needs some work though, we had so many cat issues this year it was outrageous, it was a struggle to get the park groomed on the weekends let alone midweek. What they do with the park will be interesting.
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Think Spence would hook me up with a job? I mean, I will be at UMF all winter...
 
13465588:caseytaylor said:
Think Spence would hook me up with a job? I mean, I will be at UMF all winter...
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I cannot speak on behalf of Saddleback Maine, but id be suprised if not.

Keep in mind, first they gotta find 3 million
 
13465531:ndye said:
In other news, those of us on the park crew are moving westward, anyone need a full crew who can manhandle your park while balling on a budget?
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I think I'm grooming this season, but I'll def be checking all the park crew jobs like usual. I can send some your was if I see anything. Beaver creek was kind of a meh working environment but half the crew isn't coming back and the few that are, are good people/solid workers. Mostly just year rounding in that area. I think 3 are coming back maybe 4 out of 9 ish.

You can do better than that though. Just saying they'll probably be in the need and if you can't find anything else and are trying to get in with VR it might not be a horrible choice.

Just start checking the job boards in a month. Late september october will be when the most activity is happening but there will be some stuff posted early.

Indeed, and simply hired are great honestly. I remember at one point physically checking out all the resorts and looking at their employment section lolz. Thank jebus for those websites.

See what's out there and apply to a few of the same places, maybe a couple of you guys can get on somewhere as a package deal.

Good luck!

13465544:ndye said:
Spencer will be holding it down as the park manager again, Ross wont ever leave Rangeley, and they will get some kids from UMF in on it, Nate Chase MIGHT stay in the area so if they pull it off he will be there.

The terrain park needs some work though, we had so many cat issues this year it was outrageous, it was a struggle to get the park groomed on the weekends let alone midweek. What they do with the park will be interesting.
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Always a bummer when you aren't getting the cat time you need. Frustrating because it's out of your control. Maintaining a jump line is pretty much impossible if you aren't getting the time, as well as builds, or really just anything.

Hopefully things work out but I don't think anyone would blame ya for jumpin ship if it looks like it's sinking, or at least this uncertain.

Good luck, and hope you find a place that doesn't suck.
 
Hang in there Saddlebackers. My home mountain is Magic in VT and that place closed for years & years only to reopen and then struggle for the better part of a decade with the dilapidated infrastructure, changing of hands and management teams at least 3-4 times and finally finding solvency and proper backing this summer- I'm happy to report that there is a deal in the works at this very moment for local investors to buy out the majority shareholder and infuse the place with some new working capital and a phenomenal plan and it looks to be happening on schedule.

If you build it and push the place ad nauseum through every social media medium possible, they will come- and even if it closes don't lose hope, places like that with shitloads of soul & great terrain are not going to just be forgotten. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to hear that people are waiting for them to call it, close the doors then scoop up the whole place on fire sale discount and run it as-is since everything works just fine and they don't actually need a fucking quad at all.

With a little marketing creativity and a very close eye to the operating costs/allocations, I think the right team would turn that place right around. Hell, if Magic can do it Saddleback certainly can! Besides- it's virtually IMPOSSIBLE to start any new venture on a raw, undeveloped mountain. Just the grandfathered permits, existing structure and willingness to keep the local economy running by the powers that be who make these things possible to run is worth it's weight in gold to the right investment team.

So yeah, don't panic guys. Enough people are aware of this situation that it may simply be a rollover/sale tactic, as elements of this announcement simply don't make sense in any other capacity.
 
13464870:Forcillo said:
Some rich guy needs to pull through for us.
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Someone will. Property values will drop a metric fuck ton if they don't open, and there are enough huge houses around that place where either one rich guy or a band of rich guys will come through to save their own ass.
 
13467791:Mainah said:
Someone will. Property values will drop a metric fuck ton if they don't open, and there are enough huge houses around that place where either one rich guy or a band of rich guys will come through to save their own ass.
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iirc the family that owns it currently was said band of rich guys last time this happened, hopefully this doesn't scare away anyone else from trying. I'm sure they'll get bought eventually, hopefully it's someone who cares about skiing though.
 
13467799:Titus69 said:
This sucks to hear, Ive always wanted to go there but its just a long ass drive.
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Ya people aren't usually willing to put in the extra time. If it does reopen, you should come up. We all promise its well worth it.
 
13490623:ck0belski said:
*Update: Saddleback hasn't said a single word since the deadline passed way back in July.
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Hopefully that was a bluff, and they realized they don't need to replace that chair and will just reopen as if nothing happened.
 
13490957:Huck_Norris said:
Hopefully that was a bluff, and they realized they don't need to replace that chair and will just reopen as if nothing happened.
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Exactly what I was thinking
 
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