Saddleback, Maine - New England Ski Area Expansions

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Saddleback
Rangeley, Maine

Overview

Gondola Area - 1970s - Cancelled

The 1973 Saddleback trail map showing the proposed Gondola Area

With neighbor Sugarloaf growing at a rapid pace, Saddleback was running the risk of being left in the dust. A major expansion was planned to help Saddleback become a major New England resort.

Circa 1972, John Christie purchased Saddleback and planned to take it into the big leagues. The details of the plans varied over the years - perhaps a new base area, perhaps a 6,600 mile covered chairlift, perhaps a gondola. At least three trails, ranging up to 2,000 vertical feet, were planned - Hook, Line, and Sinker.

The lift line would eventually be cut all the way to the alpine zone in the early to mid 1970s, along with a few other trails. The top to bottom lift, however, would never be installed. Instead, financial difficulties resulted in the sale of Saddleback in 1975. The Kennebago Area would later be built in the upper portion of the proposed Gondola Area, while the lower portion of the lift line would slowly grow in during subsequent decades.

The gondola line as seen in a late 1980s aerial photo/trail map

The remains of the gondola line (2011)

The Tightline trail (2012)

The Tightline trail (2011)

Southwest Summit Area - 1979 - Cancelled

Soon after Saddleback was sold to Donald Breen in 1978, plans for upper mountain development were announced.

Initially, a 2,000 foot lift, running from the top of the main chairlift to the summit ridge, was put on the 1979-80 trail map, in addition to 4 new trails. Though advertised as a summit area, the complex would have extended to subpeak to the southwest of the summit of Saddleback Mountain.

Initial clearing likely took place, however at some point plans were changed and the Kennebago Area was built instead. The southwest summit area was still apparently part of the plans, however it was never developed.

A 1979-80 trail map of the proposed southwest summit area

A 1997 aerial photo of the southwest summit area

Kennebago Area - 1979 - Open

The last Saddleback trail map to show the Kennebago T-Bar (2007)

While the top to bottom lift expansion did not work out, Saddleback still looked to expand to near 4,000 feet in elevation. Taking advantage of some trails being cleared, as well as existing lift infrastructure, an upper mountain complex was developed for the 1979-80 season, served by a Hall T-Bar. At just under 1,000 vertical feet, the pod featured almost exclusively expert terrain. Unlike the proposed gondola, the T-Bar did not extend into the alpine zone atop Saddleback Mountain.

In 2008, the Hall T-Bar was replaced with a new Doppelmayr/CTEC fixed grip quad chairlift (2,907 feet long, covering 960 vertical feet).

The top terminal of the Kennebago T-Bar (2007)

The upper portion of the Kennebago T-Bar (2007)

The top terminal of the Kennebago Quad (2010)

The bottom terminal of the Kennebago Quad (2012)

The top access trail from the Kennebago Quad (2012)

South Branch Area - 2004 - Open

Development map for the South Branch area (2009)

After years of status quo, Saddleback received a big boost in 2003 when the Berry family purchased the resort. In effort to drive real estate (which would fund future development), the first sizable expansion plan in decades too place. In addition to building a massive base lodge, the lower mountain 1,400 foot novice T-Bar was replaced with a new 2004 Doppelmayr/CTEC fixed grip quad. Covering 346 vertical feet, the new lift was nearly twice as long as it's predecessor at 2,760 feet. Multiple new beginner trails were added to the bottom of the area. In addition, the Lake Trail Lodge and tubing facility are still planned.

The Main Lodge (2007)

South Branch Quad top terminal (2007)

The South Branch Quad bottom terminal (2012)

The South Branch Quad (2012)

Magalloway Area - Proposed

Development map for the Magalloway area (2009)

The Magalloway area on the 2008-2009 trail map

The proposed Magalloway area was first depicted on the 2006-2007 Saddleback trail map and has undergone many changes since. Built around the proposed Saddleback/Magalloway Village and nearby home and cottage lots, the area is expected to include at least half a dozen new trails.

The 2006-2007 map showed one 6,258 foot chairlift terminating above the current Cupsuptic T-Bar. The 2007-2008 map showed a 3,500 foot chairlift terminating about halfway up that area. By 2008-2009, the map displayed both lifts (the 3,500' lift called Magalloway Chair #1 and the 6,258' called Magalloway Chair #2).

In the spring of 2008, the area announced plans to open trails and a lift in the Magalloway area in 2009-2010. While some clearing was done, the project was postponed.

The 2009-2010 trail map no longer showed either of the proposed lifts. A February 2009 development map showed only the shorter lift still being part of the plans.

Resources

Saddleback - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com

Saddleback Ski Area Official Site

Saddleback Mountain - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide

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