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Perhaps there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
Wednesday’s fierce storm brought high winds to Saddleback Maine, knocking out power to the ski mountain’s snow making equipment. Despite the delay, a representative said Thursday evening, Saddleback was looking to open Friday as planned.
“Everything’s white,” Director of Marketing and Sales Conrad Klefos said, adding he had taken a run earlier that day. “There’s a lot of snow in places.”
Klefos estimated that the mountain received between 10 and 14 inches, with high winds making accounting the snowfall difficult. Saddleback will have intermediate-level trails open Friday, with more of the mountain and beginner-oriented trails open for the weekend. The Gray Ghost trail, which goes from the top of Saddleback to the base, will be available for opening day.
Saddleback looks forward to another successful ski season. Opening this year will be the 40-acre Casablanca, which Klefos said will be the largest glade skiing area in the east once all 60 acres are cut, as well as a new, mid-slope restaurant in time for Christmas. Four new grooming machines will help the ski mountains snow making equipment augment Mother Nature when necessary.
“We’re looking good,” Klefos said. “A couple more storms like that one and we’ll be set.”
Meanwhile, Sugarloaf has been operating since Nov. 28, with conditions and trails geared toward expert skiers and riders. Representatives there reported that the mountain had logged 10 to 12 inches of snow Wednesday, with another inch or so falling Thursday morning.
Sugarloaf Communications Manager Ethan Austin reported that the mountain would open tomorrow with 18 trails and five lifts operating, expanding to as many as 30 trails this weekend.
Anyone looking to ski this weekend should bundle up; forecasters are calling for cold temperatures in the mountains.
