Alpine skiing and Riding the Way it Should Be.
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 2012-13 season. It now includes honor roll students from anywhere. With proof of their honor roll status (a list from the school, letter from the principal or report card) Students can purchase a PEAK season pass for just $149. PEAK passes need to be purchased by Jan. 31
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. It’s hard to beat Saddleback’s ticket prices – just $59 on Saturdays and holiday periods, $49 Sunday through Friday. 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.
Saddleback was named an On The Snow NorthEast Best Family resort. The mountain was the No. 1 overall favorite resort in the Snow East 2012 Reader Survey and the No. 1 favorite resort for grooming. Saddleback was ranked top adventure mountain by the East by SKI Magazing, No. 1 in value, No. 2 in overall satisfaction and character, No. 4 in service, No. 5 in snow, and No. 6 in scenery by SKI Magazine Reader Survey.
Saddleback Mountain
Address: Saddleback Mountain Road, Rangeley
Website: www.saddlebackmaine.com
Opens for the season: Dec. 15
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: Food Court, Pub, coffee Bar, Kennebago Station Yurt, Retail Shop, Rental Equipment, Day Care, ATM, Terrain Parks and Quarter Pipe
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. Peak passes are now available to any K-12 Honor Student for $149. They are available for purchase through Jan. 31
Specials: • $29 Maine Days this year are; Dec 16, Jan 6, Feb 3, Mar 3, and April 7. Wednesdays are $10 Bring a Friend Day
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)
