Saddleback

[riverc0il]

No one has bought Saddleback yet, no deal has been made. But it appears that the current owners and a potential buyer are still working together on finalizing a sale. I've seen no reports that Peak Resorts was involved at any time with the current owners. Perhaps they were but I've yet to see any reliable sources suggest who any of the potential buyers are/were.

If the deal goes through, they ain't opening this season, that much is for sure. President's Day vacation week starts in three days. No way any ski area is going to bother opening after that holiday week has passed.

I've also seen no indication that the Berry's "ran out of money". More like they didn't feel like throwing more good money after bad and decided to cut their losses. Ideally, a new owner would replace the Double with a HSQ. I am no fan of HSQs usually but it really would be an ideal option. Tough location, new owners are going to be hard pressed to make it work financially.

Saddleback may be the only 2k vert area to sit dormant for an entire season. I can't think of any others that have suffered a similar fate in the northeastern US, can anyone else? Pretty cool place. I would ski there more if it was a little closer. But at 3:30 driving time, Sugarloaf and Whiteface are the only 2k vert areas of the northeast US further from my home, and only just barely further than that.

 

[x10003q]

Peak was never going to purchase Saddleback. The rumors about them purchasing something were true - it was Hunter.
The Berry's had good intentions and did a lot for the mountain and the area. They also employed too many people to run the ski area and spent way too much on the base lodge ($13million) at a ski area that has around 100k visits per year. If they had only spent $7 million on the Lodge they would have had $6 million to install the much needed HSQ to replace the Rangeley Double. There are 7 Berry kids and that contributed to the uneven plan.

The biggest problem is that Saddleback is very difficult to get to. I was up there last summer. Here is a picture of the beautiful lodge:

Here is the top of the Rangeley Double:

 

[MarzNC]

Announcement happened this week. Buyer is an Australian company with big plans. Construction for two new lifts is a high priority.

Saddleback is Back and Getting Two New Lifts

The Majella Group of Australia has agreed to purchase Maine’s Saddleback, among the largest American resorts ever to go dark, and plans to build two new lifts as soon as possible. Doppelmayr…

liftblog.com

Video of the press conference announcing the sale is included in the Liftblog article.

 

[MarzNC]

No new news about Saddleback since the press conference about the sale to Majella. The FAQ on the Saddleback website is pretty readable. A few of the Q&A below.

THE 2017-2018 SKI SEASON

Q) Will any lifts be replaced?

A) The Rangeley Double Chair will be replaced with a new TRISTAR Fixed Grip Quad Chair Lift that can support 1,500 skiers per hour. The Cupsuptic T-Bar, will be replaced with a new Wind Resistant, Higher-Speed Surface Lift, that can support 1,200 skiers per hour. Doppelmayr has already begun the survey, design, and engineering work. When finished, Saddleback will feature one of the newest lift systems in all of New England.

Q) Will you open this winter?

A) Majella and the local management team recognize that opening the mountain for the upcoming ski season is a top priority for the Rangeley community and its loyal constituents, including the many property owners on the mountain. Replacing the Rangeley Chair and T-Bar are at the top of our list, but a project of this scope takes time and we are fighting against the clock. Majella’s team has engaged Doppelmayr, . . . We have much work to do. As soon as our team believes we can deliver a skiing experience that is consistent with our values and meets the needs of our skiing community, we will announce our plans for reopening.

Q) Why did you choose a Fixed Quad and Wind-Resistant T-bar?

A) The Rangeley Lift and T-Bar replacements have been carefully selected after a thorough analysis of the mountain operations. Majella understands the importance of maintaining the serene trail experience and supreme trail conditions for which Saddleback is well known. There is nothing more frustrating to guests than a wind hold on an epic powder day. We also understand long lift lines are not desired.

The Berry family’s expansion of Saddleback increased the glades and trails by a significant amount. The new Rangeley quad lift will increase uphill capacity from 700 to 1,500 per hour and eliminate lengthy waits on busier days. The fixed grip option will better match the expanded downhill terrain and allow for uncrowded trails that have become so rare in today’s ski world. Both the quad and the new surface lift T-bar are being designed to withstand windy conditions. For example, the chairs on the new Rangeley quad will be heavier, positioned lower to the ground and will run counterclockwise. This will allow the mountain to run during some of the windy conditions that inevitably come before, during, and after significant snow events.

Q) Who will manage the mountain?

A) We are very pleased to announce a local and highly experienced mountain operations management team will return to their former capacity. Jim Quimby will head up Mountain Operations. Rangeley residents Greg Andrews and Perry Williams will complete the management team along with former Portland Fire Chief and current Majella CEO - Western Region, Fred LaMontagne. Mr LaMontagne will serve as the resort’s CEO and focus on long- range planning and strategic operations. Retired Maj. Gen. John W. Libby will continue to advise Majella with regards to the mountain.

Former Saddleback General Manager, Chris Farmer will remain an advisor to the Berry family and work toward a successful transition. Employees who held other key and support positions at the mountain are encouraged to re-apply. As the vision for a premiere four-season resort takes hold, we expect to welcome many new and former employees to Saddleback.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

No one has bought Saddleback yet, no deal has been made. But it appears that the current owners and a potential buyer are still working together on finalizing a sale. I've seen no reports that Peak Resorts was involved at any time with the current owners. Perhaps they were but I've yet to see any reliable sources suggest who any of the potential buyers are/were.

If the deal goes through, they ain't opening this season, that much is for sure. President's Day vacation week starts in three days. No way any ski area is going to bother opening after that holiday week has passed.

I've also seen no indication that the Berry's "ran out of money". More like they didn't feel like throwing more good money after bad and decided to cut their losses. Ideally, a new owner would replace the Double with a HSQ. I am no fan of HSQs usually but it really would be an ideal option. Tough location, new owners are going to be hard pressed to make it work financially.

Saddleback may be the only 2k vert area to sit dormant for an entire season. I can't think of any others that have suffered a similar fate in the northeastern US, can anyone else? Pretty cool place. I would ski there more if it was a little closer. But at 3:30 driving time, Sugarloaf and Whiteface are the only 2k vert areas of the northeast US further from my home, and only just barely further than that.

Powder Mag just posted an interview with lots of promising news for a reopening this winter. It's too far from me but I'd love to check it out some day.

 

[marcski]

Powder Mag just posted an interview with lots of promising news for a reopening this winter. It's too far from me but I'd love to check it out some day.

James, seriously? Maine is too far yet you ski all over Europe every season.
??⛷

 

[MarzNC]

James, seriously? Maine is too far yet you ski all over Europe every season.
??⛷

You know what they say in Maine . . . "you can't get there from here." A lot easier to fly to Europe and catch a train than drive to northern Maine.

A few years ago I thought about extending a long weekend at Sunday River with friends to check out Sugarloaf. But it wasn't worth the extra driving.

 

[Harvey]

James, seriously? Maine is too far yet you ski all over Europe every season.
??⛷

Now you've gone and done it.