Saddleback aims to open

z1000307470

TomWhite;c-40450 wrote
sugarloaf;c-40420 wroteThe reason it wasn't replaced is because the Berry's didn't want to spend any more money on Saddleback. For better or worse, it was bought by a family with no ski area ownership experience. It wasn't managed properly and haphazardly expanded.
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They spent big bucks on that beautiful lodge. Yet at the beginning of the summer, they said, unless we get $3 mill. to replace the Rangeley, we won't open. They didn't and they didn't. That has always baffled me. Surely, they could/should have known earlier and spent money where needed. Now as the concern has been raised, spending the right money to attract enough customers, without over spending, is new owners' task.

It is not just a lack of ski area experience. It was bad business decision making. They repeatedly claim they spent $13 million on the lodge (at a place that maybe saw 80K visits once). They could have easily spent half, had a great lodge, and had enough for a new HSQ. That is the very definition cluelessness. It is hard to say who was making the decisions due the the large amount of Berry kids involved.

Remski

Mule skinner here we come.

sugarloaf

Remski;c-40462 wroteMule skinner here we come.

My favorite run at Saddleback.

joshua_segal

Part of the purpose of the lodge was as a nice function hall in the summer. As far as I know, they continued doing weddings well after the ski area closed.

joshua_segal

sugarloaf;c-40468 wrote
Remski;c-40462 wroteMule skinner here we come.
My favorite run at Saddleback.

Muleskinner is great, but I'm partial to "Family Secret".

conrad

With the new detachable quad ordered, I finally put together a Remontees-Mecaniques photo-documentary of the old Rangeley double with 42 photos!
Link: https://www.remontees-mecaniques.net/bdd/reportage-tsf2-rangeley-gmd-muller-doppelmayr-7162.html

NewEnglandSkier13

conrad;c-40654 wroteWith the new detachable quad ordered, I finally put together a Remontees-Mecaniques photo-documentary of the old Rangeley double with 42 photos!
Link: https://www.remontees-mecaniques.net/bdd/reportage-tsf2-rangeley-gmd-muller-doppelmayr-7162.html

Impressive!

Yet another lattice lift gone...

slatham

I do not know SB, so this is a question to those who do. And given my knowledge of Magic and the advantage of opening one lift that accesses all terrain on slow, midweek days. Could the new Rangley HSQ be re-aligned to the summit where Kennebago summits, or perhaps just downhill from there where the upper traverse is? Looks like there is room for added beginner/intermediate terrain between Tr-Color and America to increase downhill capacity. Or is that idea, in reality, not worth it?

NewEnglandSkier13

slatham;c-40656 wroteI do not know SB, so this is a question to those who do. And given my knowledge of Magic and the advantage of opening one lift that accesses all terrain on slow, midweek days. Could the new Rangley HSQ be re-aligned to the summit where Kennebago summits, or perhaps just downhill from there where the upper traverse is? Looks like there is room for added beginner/intermediate terrain between Tr-Color and America to increase downhill capacity. Or is that idea, in reality, not worth it?

That would mean that their main lift would be closed for windhold quite frequently.

sugarloaf

Slow business midweek could save money by not running Wheeler, South Branch and Cupsuptic.

sugarloaf

Right now the Rangely Chair is on wind hold more often than Kenebago because the chair towers are lower and more sheltered. I'm not sure if the new design will have lower towers. The last few hundred feet of Rangely Chair by the summit terminal are wind exposed.

ME2VTskier

From Facebook:

SADDLEBACK’S FAIR TICKET PRICING PLAN
At Saddleback, we believe pricing in the ski world has become far too complicated and leaves most people with the feeling – and rightfully so – that the person on the lift next to them probably paid a lot less for their ticket. We don’t believe you should have to know how to game the system to get a fair price. We believe there is a better way – the Saddleback way.
With our new high speed detachable quad, the improvements we’re making to the lodge and a significant investment in our snowmaking system, we’re excited about what we’re going to be offering. Instead of all sorts of discounting that leaves some people paying full price and others, on that same day, paying far less, we’re going to give the same discount to everyone. Our Fair Ticket Pricing Plan, is intended to make skiing more accessible and fair to everyone, but is also intended to allow the mountain to be sustainable.
We will be able to take season pass orders next week through our website and wanted to notify you today of our pricing plan. Be looking for www.saddlebackmaine.com going live on March 18th.
"Without you we’re just another mountain
and we’re #notjustanothermountain."
LIMITED NUMBER OF LOCKER PACKAGES: We will also be offering 250 season pass packages that include a ski locker in the base lodge for the ski season at the stated price of a season pass + $300. We know there will be a lot of demand for those lockers, so be prepared to place your order right away. We want to be fair to everyone and don’t have confidence after five years that we have the complete list of prior locker holders. We’ll be adding over 100 new lockers and feel the fairest approach is to open it to everyone on a first-come-first-serve basis. Note: The Ski Locker packages can be purchased by full payment of a season pass + $300 at the time of purchase.
Easy payment plans will also be available for all other passes.
* Saddleback is an independent mountain and we believe that’s what our guests are looking for, but we’ve also partnered with Jay Peak in Vermont to offer all our pass holders two FREE days of skiing at their resort. We know Saddleback is where you’re going to want to ski, but if you want to check out another great mountain with a similar laid back culture, Jay Peak is the place.

sugarloaf

Midweek prices look okay, but weekend pricing is too high IMO. I also don't understand why they are charging more for Friday.

ME2VTskier

Didn't you hear? Friday is the new Saturday

joshua_segal

ME2VTskier;c-40791 wroteDidn't you hear? Friday is the new Saturday

This is truth. More companies are doing 80-hour/9-day schedules giving them 3-day weekends on alternate Fridays.

It's also interesting to note that destination resorts are clearing out by 11 AM on Sundays making Sundays a great day to ski for those who can't get away on weekdays.

ME2VTskier

Yes, places that sell cheap Sunday afternoon tickets are still the lesser known gem. You just have to roll the dice and take your chances on what will be left for you conditions wise.

skelley19

Do people think the season pass price is a little high? For only $30 more I could get an Epic Local or Epic North East Value pass for $599. I couldn't really find a good comp of another large independent mountain besides Jay but they have a similar pass price with a much larger customer base. I am up in the area about 4-6 weekends a winter primarily to snowmobile. I will certainly dedicate a few days to Saddleback and just buy day tickets as those prices seem reasonable. I thought the season pass would be more in the $4-500 range for the first season back to generate interest and try to get people hooked on the season pass product. At that price I was probably in and would likely get a bunch of short sessions in either before or after snowmobiling. Either way I am very excited that they are coming back and wish them the best of luck. Depending how next winter goes I may be able to justify the season ticket price the following year as my children get older and we will be able to be up there more weekends in the winter.

sugarloaf

For comparison, the last ticket pricing for Saddleback was $59/$69 midweek and weekends. At least they are following the Berry's and not charging a premium for holiday periods. That might draw some business away from Sugarloaf

TomWhite

I've received 3 emails from Saddleback. This says their web-site is running. It is.

Saddleback family, it is now your go time! The new website, saddlebackmaine.com is now LIVE! Get over there and buy the season passes you have waited so patiently for these past 5 years. It’s your time!

IF you want a locker this year, you cannot wait to buy your pass. Those lockers will sell out quickly, so don’t miss out…time matters if you hope to get one of the available 250 lockers.

Don’t forget to save a little extra by adding a specially priced Rangeley Lakes Trail Center nordic pass and support a great organization.

Again, we cannot possibly ever thank you enough for the support you have shown Saddleback. It is truly a privilege to be the team that helps bring this wonderful place back to life.

joshua_segal

sugarloaf;c-40790 wroteMidweek prices look okay, but weekend pricing is too high IMO. I also don't understand why they are charging more for Friday.

I think the day-ticket price are OK, but I think the season pass prices are insanely high. There are often delays in getting new chairlifts installed. After being out of business for this long, I think they need to woo customers back.

Consider:
How many of you who bought the "cheap" Tenney Season Passes actually got your money's worth this year?

Ragged kept season passes very low following their disaster season of 2006-7.
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I suspect the SB condo owners may fork over the big bucks for their season passes, but I certainly wouldn't even consider it until they build a track record.

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