65 Years of Saddleback
Saddleback is celebrating 65 incredible years of skiing, riding, and adventure in the heart of Western Maine. For over six decades, generations of Saddlebackers have carved turns, shared memories, and kept the spirit of this independent mountain and community alive through every high and low.
To honor this milestone, we’re packing our entire ’25-’26 season full of celebrations. We’ve got big plans in the works, so stay tuned for updates and schedules. In the meantime, make sure you enter to win a $200 gift card below, and lock-in your winter adventure ASAP! Prices will increase as we get closer to the start of the season, so head here to secure your winter lift tickets, ticket packs, and season passes.
Don’t Miss Your Shot!
To honor 65 years of Saddleback, we’re giving our most Saddlebackers a chance to win a $200 gift card! Simply complete the form below to enter. The card can be used anywhere on the mountain! Treat yourself to craft cocktails at The Nest, gear up at the retail shop, or cozy up with a few hot chocolates from the café. Here’s to 65 years of Saddleback- and to many more ahead!
Enter Giveaway Here!
THE BEGINNING
Saddleback opened its slopes on New Year’s Eve 1960 with one T-bar and a dream. By the mid-60s, a double chair and new trails brought the taste of true alpine skiing to the Rangeley Lakes Region. Despite tough early winters and financial challenges, a loyal community of skiers and builders laid the foundation for what was to come.
GROWING PAINS
Ownership changes and ambitious plans marked the ’70s as Saddleback worked to define its future. New terrain, condos, and lift upgrades hinted at bigger things, but energy crises, rough snow years, and land disputes kept the mountain in a constant balancing act between potential and reality.
BOLD VISION
The Breen family brought bold ideas and major investments, expanding terrain into high-elevation expert areas and securing thousands of acres of surrounding land. Saddleback’s reputation for challenging, natural terrain began to take shape, even as battles over Appalachian Trail conservation slowed the vision, the prospect of becoming a “big league” ski destination came into focus.
PRESERVATION AND CONFLICT
The ’90s were defined by conflict and compromise. Fierce debates over development versus conservation reached a turning point, leading to a landmark agreement that protected the Appalachian Trail corridor while preserving Saddleback’s ability to grow. Though the mountain stayed open, plans for large-scale expansion remained on hold.
REVIVAL UNDER THE BERRYS
When the Berry family stepped in, Saddleback found new life. They expanded the lodge, modernized lifts, added beginner-friendly terrain, and unlocked legendary glades like Casablanca. It was a decade of rebuilding trust and showcasing what Saddleback could offer without losing its rugged, independent character.
THE LIFTS STOP SPINNING, BUT THE HEART BEAT ON
Despite years of progress, financial challenges led to Saddleback’s heartbreaking closure in 2015. For years, the mountain sat quiet, its lifts still, trails mostly empty, while the Rangeley community fought to bring it back to life. A small contingent of skiers earned their turns, and an even smaller team of full-time staff helped to keep the mountain at-the-ready for when a buyer discovered the opportunity at Saddleback.
Dawn of a New Era
Arctaris Impact Fund reopened Saddleback in December 2020, ushering in a new era of growth and sustainability. With modern lifts, upgraded snowmaking, and year-round programming, Saddleback has re-emerged as New England’s independent powerhouse, working tirelessly to honor its legacy while looking boldly toward the future.
For more than six decades, Saddleback has been shaped by dreamers and doers. Skiers and riders who broke trail in the ’60s, the families who built traditions here, and the community that rallied when the mountain went quiet. Every era has been defined by those willing to believe in what this place could be.
Today, we’re writing a new chapter, and we hope you’ll be part of it. Whether it’s your first visit or your hundredth, every turn, every laugh, every bluebird day and secret powder stash adds to the story of Saddleback. We hope to see ya up here.