Saddleback Blog

February 25, 2010

A Lost Day but a Huge Gain of Snowfall!

Early this morning at my home in Rangeley, winds were calm and the snow was falling nicely to the ground. There was about 8 inches of level & heavy snow in the driveway. As I approached the ski area soon after, I began to notice the trees bending in the wind and on the final approach to the base lodge, I was immersed in a violent wind storm and a near total white out! It was a big difference in weather from the valley to the mountain. It was very obvious to me that there was no hope to run a chairlift today. Winds are still gusting between 50 and 70 MPH and the snow is coming down heavily but sideways! The photo here is the view from my office window this morning.

My… Read More >>

February 23, 2010

PSIA Certifies Three Saddleback Instructors & The Snow is Coming!

PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America) held an instructor's clinic at Saddleback today. The clinic was well attended with 30 instructors from various New England resorts.  Seven instructors took their level one exam. Saddleback had three instructors in this exam and all three passed and are now level one PSIA certified instructors. Congratulations to Holland Hughes, Kris Ohlson and Patti Howe!

Here is the latest update for Saddleback’s weather:  Snow has started to fall and the temperature is 30 degrees and dropping. The forecast calls for two separate storms tonight through Wednesday. It will snow heavier late tonight and taper off mid-day tomorrow. A… Read More >>

February 22, 2010

A Change in Weather is Coming Soon!

Being a ski conditions report person has been extremely dull lately. It has been all about snowmaking and grooming. I have been able to report many dustings in the past two weeks, but the elusive one inch or more has been almost non-existent. You know that when you start wondering how many dustings equal an inch, things are a bit dry! The funny thing is, there are places on this mountain with fresh snow and it is hard to imagine where it came from. Certainly we can attribute it to wind redistribution but I also know that snow has been dropping and blowing from the trees. We have had some brief but heavy at times high altitude snow showers. However, they don't seem to add to much. However… Read More >>

February 21, 2010

It Was All About Slopestyle at Saddleback Today

Today we hosted a USA Snowboard Association Slopestyle event in our Free Rider Terrain Park. It was an exciting event with lots of big air and a wide variety of tricks. The three top winners in the oldest group of boys were all Saddleback boys. Team Saddleback dominated the event. Andrew Boufard (Bouf) took top honors. His front side rodeo seven, switchback rodeo 9 and the 180 over the barrel convinced the judges that he was #1! Bouf also won “the hottest trick” award.  Bouf is our #1 snowboard coach in the Saddleback Ski School.  Stockton Archard took second place and brother, Cooper Archard was third. Stockton’s best trick was a corked 720 &… Read More >>

February 20, 2010

USASA Snowboard Racing at Saddleback Today

Today we hosted two USA Snowboard Association Maine Mountain series races on the Grey Ghost. First was GS and in the afternoon they ran the Slalom. Tomorrow we will host their Slopestyle event in our terrain park. That slopestyle event will be great for spectators. The park will be closed Sunday while the event takes place. If you would like to compete in the Slopestyle event and are not a USASA member, a one day membership is $25 plus the registration for the competition is $40 and includes your lift ticket. You must register by 8:30 AM Sunday to be eligible.

As this holiday week wraps up, I want to remind you that our $69 ski & stay package for our ski in / ski out condos is… Read More >>