Skiers will find more options this winter at Camden Snow Bowl as the ski area and town move forward on their redevelopment plan for the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area.
Skiers and riders will find expanded options in the popular glade skiing terrain with new sections ready after an off-season that focused on trail work. The Snow Bowl offers 16 trails and glades. The Snow Bowl is a town-owned property, with big redevelopment plans. Fundraising continues with the goal of expanding the snowmaking, lifts, a new base lodge and adding additional summer recreation activities. The total goal is 6.5 million with 4.5 million privately raised the remaining 2 million will be in the form of a town issued bond. “Everything’s positive in this area as far as making improvements to the ski area,” says Marketing Director Andrew Dailey. “We’re moving forward with that project.”
New for 2012/2013 season we will be adding programs and schools to the Snow Bowl’s 4th grade learn to ski or ride program. This program has grown from 330 kids last year to around 500 kids this season. The program gives the opportunity for all kids in the 4th grade to ski or ride three times during school for free. The Snow Bowl also purchased 10 new HKD snow guns to add to our current system, and to push the snow around we purchased a newer Piston Bully 600 grooming machine. Guests and Pass Holders will see a lot of glade clearing and wider trails from the top of the chair. This summer a downhill mountain bike trail was constructed giving those gravity seekers a thrill ride!
The race programs and ski and snowboard school programs have become very popular. The Zoomers program, for ages 7 to 12, annually brings out about 125 kids. New additions last year included a program allowing youth racers to join USSA and travel to other mountains to compete. Youth programs tie in perfectly to what Camden Snow Bowl is known for – it’s a small family mountain where everyone feels comfortable. It’s also affordable, with a beginner package offering a lift ticket, rentals and a group ski or snowboard lesson for $55. Kids under age 5 ski free, and an evening ticket (3 to 8 p.m.) is just $17 for adults and $16 for students. One of the more popular mid-week tickets is for the two-hour lunch break. For $13 you can ski for a couple hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Of course Mainers are very familiar with the toboggan chute at Camden Snow Bowl, where the annual U.S. Toboggan Championships draw huge crowds every February. Another reason to head to Camden this winter is the 4-kilometer loop classical and skate skiing. According to Dailey, a new tracksetter will maintain the trail in winter, and when the snow melts, the multi-use trail will be available to mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners.
Camden Snow Bowl
Address: 20 Barnestown Road, Camden
Website: www.camdensnowbowl.com
Opens for the season: Dec. 15 (weather permitting)
Number & type of trails: 16; 2 beginner, 6 beginner/intermediate, 8 advanced (includes all glades)
Vertical drop: 850 feet
Snowmaking: Yes, covers 45 percent of terrain
Amenities: 2 terrain parks, toboggan run, tubing
Lifts: 4, including double chair, handle tow, 2 T-bars
Ticket prices: Weekday $23 adult, $21 student; weekend/holiday $35 adult, $26 student.
Specials: 2-Hour Ticket: Weekdays (non holiday) any two hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. $13; Beginner Special Package (lift ticket, rental and group ski or snowboard lesson) $55.
Signature events: U.S. Toboggan Championships Feb. 8-10
