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Maine Cancelled Ski Areas
Sabattus Mountain
Wales, Maine
Proposed in the 1940s

Sabattus Mountain
Sabattus Mountain

Overview

The 1954 State Interscholastic Ski Meet at Sabattus Mountain
The 1954 State Interscholastic Ski Meet at Sabattus Mountain

Located northeast of Lewiston near the shore of Sabattus Pond, Sabattus Mountain is an 803 foot peak that was once a popular destination for Lewiston-Auburn skiers.

Skiing on Sabattus Mountain likely dates back to the winter of 1935-36, when the Skovstier Ski Club constructed a trail. Based out of Lewiston, the club was marketed as a group of young men and women interested in outdoor sports, particularly skiing. The group was likely active between 1934 and 1951. The Lewiston Daily Sun advised, "the trail should be tried with caution by the novice for it is tricky in places and any novice who could start at the top and come down without a crackup would have to be equipped with a couple of horseshoes, a rabbit's foot, and a half dozen four leaf clovers. Any novice not equipped with the above mentioned should equip himself with a first aid kit before making the attempt."

By the early 1940s, the Edward Little High School was using Sabattus Mountain as the downhill venue for its Winter Carnival, hosting slalom on Brann's Hill and nordic and jumping at Pettingill Park. Sabattus Mountain reportedly had two trails by the mid to late 1940s.

In March 1947, Jerry Pontbriand organized a meeting to discuss developing a ski area on Sabattus Mountain. Younger brother of future Lost Valley owner Fernand "Fern" Pontbriand, Jerry had recently returned from serving in the Army during World War II. Pontbriand was elected as vice president of the group, with Winslow S. Durgin serving as president. The group hoped to obtain a lease and start construction that summer with plans to clear an open slope on the west side of the mountain served by a rope tow. Unable to raise enough money, plans were reportedly postponed until the group could increase its membership. It subsequently reorganized as the Lewiston-Auburn Ski Club later that year.

The Lewiston Daily Sun reported that plans were still being made late in the winter of 1949, with Lester Fowler expecting to make an announcement "in the near future."

The 1954 State Interscholastic Ski Meet at Sabattus Mountain
The 1954 State Interscholastic Ski Meet at Sabattus Mountain

The development wasn't meant to be. Though Sabattus hosted the State Interscholastic Ski Meet in 1954, skiers soon migrated to lift-served areas. Racing on Sabattus likely came to an end circa 1956, with subsequent Edward Little High School carnivals being held at Pleasant Mountain.

USGS Topographic Map
USGS Topographic Map

Had it been constructed, a lift-served Sabattus Mountain could have sported a 500 foot vertical drop, more than twice that of nearby future ski area Lost Valley.



Last updated: February 4, 2025
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