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Sugarloaf
Carrabassett Valley, ME, Maine
| Overview |
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Sugarloaf: Upper Mountain | Bucksaw | Crocker Mountain | Snowbrook | West Mountain | Brackett Basin | Burnt Mountain
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| Bucksaw - 1969 - Open |
The top of the Bucksaw Double (2011) |
After constructing the gondola to the summit, Sugarloaf continued to expand.
In 1969, a set of novice and intermediate trails were opened just west of the Tote Road. Serving this trails was Sugarloaf's first chairlift, a new 5,360 foot long by 1,191 foot vertical Stadeli double. The top of the chairlift would be constructed near the future site of Bullwinkle's, as well as just below the future top terminal of the West Mountain Double.
The Bucksaw area on the 2011 Sugarloaf trail map
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| Crocker Mountain - 1970s - Cancelled |
In 1972 Sugarloaf acquired an option to purchase over 5,000 acres of land on the east side of 4,228 foot Crocker Mountain. Had the option been exercised and trails developed in the bowl, Sugarloaf would have become the largest ski area in the northeast, as well as the only one built on two four-thousand-foot-mountains.
Crocker Mountain as seen from the Timberline complex (2011)
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| West Mountain - 1984 - Open |
West Mountain on the 2010 Sugarloaf trail map |
In building a new golf course, Sugarloaf looked to surround it with real estate. Being a ski area, it was only natural to offer lift and trail access to the potential new home sites.
In 1984 a new Borvig double chair was installed from the top of the Bucksaw lift to adjacent the golf course clubhouse site. Originally designed as a double-double (two double chairlifts sharing the same towers), only one double chairlift was constructed.
Climbing 1,275 feet over a run of 6,968 feet, the terrain was very flat. As such, the only trail of any substance in the flatest, lower elevation would be the lift line.
The West Mountain Double (2011)
The West Mountain Double terminal (2011)
The West Mountain Double terminal (2011)
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| Brackett Basin - 2011 - Open |
The first phase of the long-rumored Burnt Mountain expansion was announced in the summer of 2010 with the unveiling of 'Sugarloaf 2020.'
Located east of the Ripsaw and Stub's trails, work on the Brackett Basin area started in 2010. The area features expert gladed terrain, covering 270 acres and 2,300 vertical feet. With current lift infrastructure, three lift rides are required in order to ski the new area top to bottom.
Brackett Basin opened on January 19, 2011.
The 2010 'Sugarloaf 2020' expansion map
Brackett Basin on opening day (2011)
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| Burnt Mountain - Proposed |
Burnt Mountain as seen from Sugarloaf |
Burnt Mountain (also known as Burnt Hill) is a partially-snowfield covered peak located east of Sugarloaf. Long rumored for expansion plans (dating back to the acquisition of the land in 1972), a concrete proposal surfaced in the summer of 2010 with the Sugarloaf 2020 roadmap.
After the completion of phase one of the project with Brackett Basin, a second area of terrain is expected to be opened on the slopes of Burnt Mountain. 135 additional acres of non-lift served terrain is planned for this second phase.
The third phase, covering 250 acres, would then be pursued. Under this plan, the backcountry glades would extend up to the summit of Burnt Mountain. Overall, upon the completion of all three phases, 655 acres of backcountry terrain would be added to Sugarloaf.
The 2010 'Sugarloaf 2020' expansion map
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| Resources |
Sugarloaf - NewEnglandSkiHistory.com
Sugarloaf Official Site
Sugarloaf Mountain - FranklinSites.com Hiking Guide
K2Trav's Guide to Sugarloaf
Last updated: October 2, 2011
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