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Evergreen Valley
Stoneham, Maine
The base area (2009)
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| Evergreen Valley Details |
| Status: | Lost/Defunct |
| First Year of Operation: | 1972 |
| Last Year of Operation: | 1982 |
| Vertical Drop: | 1,050 feet |
| Lifts in Operation: | 0 |
| Lifts Removed/Non Operational: | 3 doubles |
Intially envisioned as a small town project in 1962, the Evergreen Valley ski area development quickly grew out of control. Though three new Mueller chairlifts would be installed in 1970, Evergreen Valley ski area did not open until the 1972-73 ski season. Likely starting operations on December 16, 1972, the ski area had a formal opening ceremony with Maine Governor Curtis on March 3, 1973. The Exeter North Corporation conducted ski operations.
In addition to a $1 million base lodge, the resort would also feature three double chairlifts and night skiing. Beyond skiing, the resort featured a marina on Kezar Lake, a Robert Trent Jones 9 hole golf course (an additional 9 holes would be planned but never completed), a motel, swimming pools, and tennis courts. Up to 1,200 acres of condominiums were to be developed. The overall project was estimated to have cost $7 million.
In 1974, the area offered season pass holders a snow insurance policy, which would pay out $25 if the area operated for less than 75 days.
In July of 1975, the resort hosted the New England Folk Festival, drawing thousands of concert-goers.
The Maine Guarantee Authority commenced foreclosing procedures in the fall of 1975, resulting in the area closing for the 1975-76 ski season.
An old Evergreen Valley trail map (2007) |
The Maine Guarantee Authority sold the area for $1.25 million to Rupert Aldrich, Henry Paradis, and Bruce Williams in the fall of 1976. Aldrich became the sole owner in August of 1977.
The area did not operate during 1979-80 due to lack of snow. An agreement to sell the area to a group led by Albert Hollis's Bradstone Development corporation fell through in the fall of 1980.
The Maine Guarantee Authority started foreclosure proceedings in 1981.
In early 1982, Ray Denger, Brad Gilton, and Rodney Reed entered into an agreement to purchase the area from Aldrich. Reed was then arrested for fraud (involving the earnest money he put down on the deal), resulting in that transaction falling through. Denger and Gilton then attempted to buy Evergreen Valley without Reed, but were unable to obtain financing.
The ski area obtained a $75,000 loan in the fall of 1982 to continue operating, however it likely did not open for the 1982-83 season. The Maine Guarantee Authority purchased the resort for $500,000 at public auction on May 25, 1983.
The guarantee authority, now operating under the name of Finance Authority of Maine (FAME), agreed to sell the resort to Richard Shain and Leonard Zimmerman's Valley Recreation Corp. for $1.6 million in June of 1984. Valley Recreation Corp. intended to reopen the ski area for the 1984-85 season (with future plans to build a hotel and host concerts), however it ended up backing out of the October 31 closing when it discovered defects in the property title.
In March of 1985, Zimmerman agreed to purchase Evergreen Valley from FAME for $1.725 million, with a closing date of May 7, 1985. Shortly after the deal was disclosed, another bidder, George Guinane, filed suit to block the deal, claiming tampering with the sealed bid process, based upon his $1.6 million bid on the property. The suit was ultimately dismissed, resulting in a revised October closing date between FAME and Zimmerman. A planned 1985-86 reopening was announced by Zimmerman in August of 1985. The deal did not close, resulting in Zimmerman forfeiting a non-refundable $222,000 deposit.
In February of 1986, former Maine Guarantee Authority board member Robert Bahre entered into an agreement with FAME to purchase the resort. On May 12, 1986, Bahre purchased the area for $1.35 million.
The lifts were likely removed per US Forest Service orders in the early 1990s. The lifts were purchased by Mars Hill ski area, two of which may have been resold.
As of 2009, the resort was for sale for an estimated $2.8 million.
Lift Timeline
| Season | Lift Name | Type | Event | Notes |
| 1990s |
| 1990-91 | #1 | Mueller Double Chairlift | Likely removed after season | Sold to Big Rock, ME |
| 1990-91 | #2 | Mueller Double Chairlift | Likely removed after season | |
| 1990-91 | #3 | Mueller Double Chairlift | Likely removed after season | |
| 1970s |
| 1970-71 | #1 | Mueller Double Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1970-71 | #2 | Mueller Double Chairlift | Installed | New install |
| 1970-71 | #3 | Mueller Double Chairlift | Installed | New install |
Vintage Ads
Evergreen Valley ad in a 1981 Lewiston Daily Sun
Click here to see more Evergreen Valley vintage advertisements
External Links
Evergreen Valley - New England Lost Ski Areas Project
Adams Mountain - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide
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Last updated: January 3, 2012
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