Page 9 - WCM 2021 Winter

SADDLEBACK IS BACK! Rebirth of a Legend by Scott Vlaun
For many of us on Maine’s West Coast, skiing is a passion. Whether we are silently gliding through forested trails or ripping down steep groomers, it’s our way of communing with winter, staying fit, and for some, testing our lim- its, stretching our comfort zone. While there are literally countless miles of trails through our woods, if you want the steep and deep, you need to head to the mountains where you can find some world-class skiing in a breathtaking environment. Although idled for the last few years, one of our most revered mountain resorts is experiencing a startling renewal. While some of us have had fun finding our way up Saddleback Mountain under our own power
for a run or two on ungroomed snow, the giddy buzz among local skiers and snowboarders is “Saddleback is back!” and scheduled to be spinning lifts on December 15th.
While there are many special ski and ride experiences to be had in western Maine, from the easily accessible, family friendly scene at Shawnee Peak, to the seriously steep above treeline terrain and “side-country” glades of Sugar- loaf, to the intimate old school vibe of Mount Abram and Black Mountain, there is something about Saddleback that combines all of that and more into a unique mountain experience beloved by locals, and sought out by folks from afar. There is something about this place that finds its way into your psyche, and it has been sorely missed.
As Saddleback grew in popularity, with new lifts on the upper mountain
to serve epic terrain like the Kennebago Steeps and Casablanca Glades, the mountain was a bit hamstrung from lack of lift capacity to get people away from the base lodge and onto the upper mountain in a timely fashion. Enter
The classic base lodge has seen extensive renovations this year, including a deep energy retrofit, expanded seating capacity with views of the mountain, a new kitchen and bar, and a state of the art ventilation system to help keep skiers safe.
“The way to get started
is to quit talking, and begin doing.”
~ Walt Disney
www.westcoastmaine.com
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Courtesy Saddleback Mountain