Saddleback Expands Deal For Successful Students
For students who study hard and end up at the top of their class, a weekend of skiing can be a great outlet. And, at Saddleback, putting good grades and skiing together can also be a great bargain. In an effort to make skiing and riding more affordable for families and students, Saddleback has once again expanded its Promoting Education and Activity for Kids (PEAK) Pass for the 2011-12 season. It now includes honor roll students from all across the U.S. and Canada. With proof of their honor roll status (a list from the school, letter from the principal or report card) Maine students can purchase a PEAK season pass for just $99. Students from the other New England states can ski under the PEAK program for just $149.
Among the reasons skiers and riders keep coming back to Saddleback is the mountain’s great snow surfaces. With snow at higher elevations than many ski areas located more to the south, the snow tends to last longer at Saddleback. Some of the off-season improvements included better snowmaking on Tight Line, a trail which runs through Kennebago Station, where a new ski patrol warming hut has also been built. Another change is the widening of the Cupsuptic T-bar line. It’s hard to beat Saddleback’s ticket prices – just $59 for adults for a full weekend day of big mountain skiing and riding. An even cheaper option is a day on the South Branch for just $29. “From the Kennebago Steeps at the top of the mountain to the South Branch quad learning terrain, with great intermediate terrain in the middle, Saddleback offers New England’s best value for big mountain skiing and riding,” says JoAnne Taylor of Saddleback’s marketing and special events department.
Since 2003, Saddleback has made significant improvements, including a 60 percent increase in terrain. Casablanca, which already spans 44 acres and is one of the largest glades in the Northeast, continues to be expanded with new trails. Access to Casablanca is from the Kennebago quad chair lift. The improvements will continue at Saddleback, which got the OK in 2007 from the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission for a 10-year plan that includes a four-season resort village and on-mountain lodging with three new condo developments. “Glades, cruisers, classic winding New England terrain; it’s all here,” Taylor says.
Saddleback Mountain
Address: Saddleback Mountain Road, Rangeley
Opens for the season: Dec. 17
Number & type of trails: 66; 33 percent green, 30 percent blue, 26 percent black diamond, 11 percent double black diamond
Vertical drop: 2000 feet
Snowmaking: Yes, covers 85 percent of terrain
Amenities: Terrain parks, Saddeback Express Sandwich & Coffee Bar, Swing ‘n Smelt Pub, daycare
Lifts: 5, including 2 quad chairs, 2 double chairs, T-bar
Ticket prices: Sunday through Friday (non-holiday) $49 adult, Saturdays and holidays $59 adult
Specials: Maine Day is first Sunday of each month with lift tickets for $29 on Dec. 18, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, March 4 and April 1
Signature events: Fireworks on Dec. 31; 4th Annual Saddleback Mountain Challenge in February; Saddleback Ski Patrol Torch Parade Feb. 23; 7th Annual Telemark Invasion March 10; 8th Annual Pond Skimming March 31
Did you know?
All the lifts at Saddleback are named for popular fly fishing rivers such as Rangeley River, Kennebago River, Sandy River and South Branch (of the Dead River)
