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505:, who had already begun the survey, engineering, and design work. It was initially announced that a fixed grip quad would replace Rangeley, while the Cupsuptic T-Bar would be replaced with a new wind resistant version. However, with the arrest of Majella Group CEO Sebastian Monsour in 2018 on fraud in Australia, the mountain's future plunged again into uncertainty. Critics also questioned Monsour's intentions after he was quoted in Maine news reports as saying he was motivated by the EB-5 program that offers foreigners permanent residency if they invest in certain U.S. real estate projects.
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Christmas of 2020. The mountain has been closed since the 2014–2015 season. On
January 31, 2020, Saddleback was officially sold to Arctaris Impact Fund. In February, it was announced that Rangeley would be replaced by a new high speed quad constructed by Doppelmayr, accompanied by lodge upgrades, new snowmaking, and a fair ticket pricing approach. On March 18, the new Saddleback Mountain website went live, which allowed for season pass and locker sales, as well as a section detailing the investments for the 2020–2021 season. During February, March, and April 2020, the
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weekends and holidays, which is only good for the South Branch Quad. This allows for the ski area to reduce the price of the ticket because it only allows access to a limited amount of terrain. Since the new ownership, eleven new trails have been cut in this area and two quad chairlifts has been installed.
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In March 2019, the
Arctaris Impact Fund based in Boston made an undisclosed offer to purchase Saddleback Mountain. They also pledged between $ 25 million and $ 30 million after the sale to help revitalize the mountain The news of an offer was sent out through an email by Andy Shepard, former CEO of
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After months of negotiations, the Berry family agreed to sell the ski resort to
Arctaris Impact Fund after seven months of negotiations. The new general manager of Saddleback Mountain, Andy Shepard announced he hopes to reopen the mountain for the 2020–2021 season, sometime between Thanksgiving and
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Shepard has stated that "e have been very impressed with their commitment and capacity to not only buy the mountain, but doing so with a long term view to make the mountain successful." He further told the press that this investment firm's offer is the "real deal and that hopeful for the Berry
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Since the purchase in 2004, terrain has been increased by over 44%, snowmaking increased to over 85%, the grooming fleet has been replaced, and the
Rangeley Chair has been upgraded and lengthened so it can be easily accessible from the base lodge. A new Lodge has been built, along with three new
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As such, the mountain's future plunged into one of uncertainty. As the year progressed into 2016, Saddleback officials said they were not opening for
February school vacation week, keeping its patrons concerned and sending the future of the mountain into uncertainty. Though not yet declared by
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The lower mountain consist of 18 beginner trails, and is serviced by the South Branch Quad, and the Sandy Rope Tow. The terrain is very mild and flat, and most of it is located below the base lodge which helps to keep skier traffic to a minimum. Saddleback sells a separate ski ticket on certain
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In
December 2012, The Berrys announced that Saddleback Mountain was for sale. Of 400 acres of land, the mountain was placed on the market for $ 12 million, that include ski trails, lifts, the base loge and the surrounding 121 condominium units. However, the family still hopes to retain 7,600
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After
Saddleback's successful first season operating since 2015, they surpassed their expected skier visit goal of 70,000 people. Throughout the season, Andy Shepard, the General Manager, released plans for next season such as mountain biking trails, a new Cupsuptic T-Bar, solar farm, and a
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In the summer of 2008, Doppelmayr constructed a fixed grip quad to replace the
Kennebago t-bar at the top of the ski area, along with new trails. The Kennebago quad provided easy and faster access to the high-elevation advanced terrain with views of the lakes and Western Maine Mountains.
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Since the Berry family was not able to replace the
Rangeley in 2014 and 2015, the mountain and lifts sadle idle. On June 28, 2017, it was announced that the Australian Majella Group had an agreement to purchase Saddleback from the Berry family. The Majella Group had contacted
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caused massive disruption to the ski industry and global economy, however, Saddleback announced that their investments were moving forward as expected, with the opening date scheduled for
December 15, 2020. The ski area officially reopened to the public on December 15, 2020.
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The upper mountain, also referred to as "The Kennebago Steeps, consisting of mostly advanced and expert trails". It is serviced solely by the Kennebago Quad chairlift, which was installed in the summer of 2008 to replace the Kennebago T-Bar. It has such famous trails as
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family and for the people of western Maine that can get a deal done." The two have strong connections to the region and Saddleback. Federle owns a Saddleback condo and Shepard has strong interest in preserving the mountain and its role in the economy of the region.
485:) was replaced; costing them nearly $ 3 million. The 4,717' double chairlift was inadequate for the capacity needs of the resort. Berry stated that "...we’ve been actively seeking the necessary financing to replace the chairlift, however, time is running out.
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corridor, which runs across the ridge at the top of the ski resort. Breen settled the dispute with the National Park Service, which manages the trail, in 2000, and in the fall of 2003, Breen sold most of the resort to the Berry family, for $ 7.5 million.
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The mountain is broken up into three sections, the upper, middle, and lower sections, which consist of terrain from double black diamond (hardest) to green circle (easiest). Each section of the mountain is serviced by a variety of lifts.
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Saddleback, Joey Morton, a local from Rangeley "doubted the mountain will open at all this winter season." Furthermore, the lack of snow and the uncertainty of Saddleback's opening affected the local businesses and the town of Rangeley.
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mid-mountain lodge set to be located at the top of the Rangeley quad. Saddleback had released a plan to open in late November, however the date revised to December 15th, due to delays in completing the new Rangeley quad.
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scanners at the new Rangeley quad lift, a new mid-mountain lodge (under construction), EV charging stations, A-Frame condominiums, repaved mountain road, high-speed residential internet, and mountain biking trails.
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The middle mountain consist mostly of intermediate terrain, with a few expert trails thrown in. The terrain is serviced by the Rangeley high speed quad and the Cupsuptic T-Bar. One beginner trail
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During the summer of 2015, the Saddleback owner, Mark Berry, announced in a release that the ski resort would not open for the 2015–2016 season unless the outdated and slow Rangeley double (
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In 2007, the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission approved Saddleback's 10-year development plan, which calls for a major expansion of lifts, trails, vacation homes, and other facilities.
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style, which is very curvy and narrow to protect the snow on the trail from the wind. Since the new ownership, four new trails have been cut in this area.
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The Berry family built a new base lodge, six new trails, and a new quad chairlift (the resort's first new chairlift in 30 years) in 2004.
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375:) runs from the top of the Rangeley lift and Cupsuptic to the base area. This section of the mountain consist of notable trails such as
265:. After almost five years of closed doors, Saddleback Mountain was sold to the Arctaris Impact Fund and reopened on December 15, 2020.
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Through the 1990s, the ski resort's prior owner, Donald Breen, engaged in a protracted dispute with conservation advocates over the
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A 40-acre (160,000 m) glade area, Casablanca, was cut between Muleskinner and Black Beauty for the 2009–10 ski season.
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undeveloped acres around the ski area. Later, Saddleback entered into a lease/purchase agreement for Oquossoc Cove Marina.
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We only have a few weeks to make this work. In order to open this winter, we need to order the new lift by early August."
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In 2009 a new yurt was built at the base of the Kennebego lift. It is equipped with heat, power, and composting toilets.
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During the summer of 2010 a new glade area was cut between Jane Craig and Professor. This section is unnamed.
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923:"Arrest of Saddleback's prospective buyer spurs nonprofit to try again to put the ski area back in business"
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condominium complexes, and the mountain Saddleback's real estate office known as Saddleback Village.
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Future plans include affordable on-mountain housing for employees and the addition of a solar farm.
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In 2010, two new Pisten Bully Snow Groomers were added to the mountain's fleet of groomers.
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http://bangordailynews.com/2012/12/15/outdoors/saddleback-mountain-ski-resort-up-for-sale/
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All the trails at Saddleback, are named after famous fishing flies created in Rangeley by
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972:"New prospective buyer takes another run at getting Saddleback ski area back in business"
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1046:"Saddleback sale agreement lifts hopes for long-closed ski area to get up and running"
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Carrie Stevens, Bud Wilcox, and Dick Frost. Some of these fly names include
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947:"An uphill battle for a ski town left out in the cold – The Boston Globe"
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the Outdoor Sports Institute and Tom Federle, a Portland attorney.
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1020:"Saddleback Mountain officially sold to Boston investment group"
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Current updates since the Arctaris Impact Fund purchase include
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877:"Saddleback Mountain Needs a New Chairlift or It Will Close"
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898:"Australian developer agrees to buy Saddleback ski resort"
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It was awarded the “Best in Maine” ski resort for 2022 by
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http://www.newenglandskihistory.com/Maine/saddleback.php
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896:Sentinel, Kate McCormickMorning (2017-06-28).
1353:Tourist attractions in Franklin County, Maine
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261:percentage, vertical drop (2,000 feet ), and
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921:Writer, Deirdre FlemingStaff (2018-06-22).
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352:trails (22 trails). There are also six (6)
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27:Ski area in Sandy River Plantation, Maine
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437:The 2000s: ownership by the Berry Family
1044:Writer, Dennis HoeyStaff (2019-11-07).
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407:. It also has two intermediate trails,
1172:Saddleback Forum on SugarloafToday.com
852:"Saddleback's 10-Year Plan Approved."
976:Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel
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1167:Maine Land Use Regulation Commission
340:Saddleback's terrain consist of 38%
210:225 inches (5,700 mm) (annual)
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855:Sunjournal.com. August 10, 2007.
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1343:Ski areas and resorts in Maine
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1070:"Saddleback Mountain Website"
639:Summit of the Kennebago Quad.
522:Arctaris Impact Fund purchase
60:Sandy River Plantation, Maine
18:Saddleback Maine (ski resort)
1358:Tourist attractions in Maine
1160:Saddleback Information Page
1150:Rangeley Lakes Trail Center
759:Saddleback Maine seen from
348:trails (19 trails) and 33%
200:2 (Wheeler Slope, Gee Whiz)
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1240:Pleasant Mountain Ski Area
842:Saddleback Maine Trail Map
774:Inside the new base lodge.
554:Saddleback has six lifts.
509:Arctaris Impact Fund offer
177:1.86 miles (2.99 km)
1225:Big Squaw Mountain Resort
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143:4,120 feet (1,260 m)
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1128:Saddleback Maine Website
468:The 2010s: new ownership
344:trails (25 trails), 29%
1230:Black Mountain of Maine
1074:www.saddlebackmaine.com
159:600 acres (2.4 km)
151:2,120 feet (650 m)
135:2,000 feet (610 m)
1264:<1000 vertical feet
1218:>1000 vertical feet
742:Last Updated: 1/29/22
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243:Sandy River Plantation
1177:Maine Outdoor Journal
1155:Ski Maine Association
810:Ski Maine Association
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108:44.93667°N 70.50306°W
1296:Lost Valley Ski Area
1291:Lonesome Pine Trails
761:Maine State Route 16
292:rivers, such as the
251:Saddleback Mountain
148:Base elevation
113:44.93667; -70.50306
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70:Saddleback Mountain
1322:Enchanted Mountain
1212:Ski areas in Maine
1143:Saddleback Lodging
1096:. 18 October 2015.
996:"SADDLEBACK MAINE"
865:Saddleback Village
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350:Advance and Expert
319:Down East Magazine
75:Nearest major city
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1026:. 31 January 2020
1024:Bangor Daily News
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541:First season back
536:Saddleback reborn
529:COVID-19 pandemic
496:Majella ownership
430:Appalachian Trail
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79:Farmington, Maine
16:(Redirected from
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1315:Former ski areas
1306:Titcomb Mountain
1301:Powderhouse Hill
1281:Camden Snow Bowl
1245:Saddleback Maine
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1138:Trail Conditions
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156:Skiable area
1235:Mount Abram
483:GMD Mueller
397:Intimidator
393:Muleskinner
385:New England
307:), and the
290:fly fishing
282:Royal Tiger
241:located in
186:Lift system
174:Longest run
111: /
99:070°30′11″W
86:Coordinates
1337:Categories
1079:2019-11-08
1055:2019-11-08
1030:2020-04-12
1005:2020-04-12
981:2019-03-16
956:2019-03-16
932:2019-03-16
907:2019-03-16
882:2015-10-04
792:References
731:Trail Maps
381:Blue Devil
377:Grey Ghost
373:jeep trail
371:(a former
310:Magalloway
305:Dead River
274:Supervisor
263:skier days
259:snowmaking
239:ski resort
96:44°56′12″N
1250:Sugarloaf
1133:Trail Map
683:Cupsuptic
617:Kennebago
424:The 1990s
409:Tri-Color
354:ski lifts
127:Operating
1276:Big Rock
591:Rangeley
572:Vertical
401:Governor
342:Beginner
303:(of the
295:Rangeley
257:, (85%)
206:Snowfall
132:Vertical
67:Mountain
56:Location
1105:Sources
746:Gallery
586:Photos
566:Builder
419:History
413:America
336:Terrain
286:America
270:anglers
245:, near
215:Website
715:SunKid
666:Partek
582:(feet)
579:Length
575:(feet)
403:, and
284:, and
165:Trails
124:Status
62:, U.S.
687:T-Bar
662:Sandy
569:Built
550:Lifts
312:River
297:River
255:lifts
237:is a
718:2021
702:2522
696:2021
676:1397
670:2022
655:2760
649:2004
631:2709
625:2008
610:4569
607:1176
604:2020
563:Type
560:Name
326:RFID
225:.com
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628:960
221:www
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