Big Squaw/Big Moose Mountain 4/7/2023

NewEnglandSkier13

They seem to have forgotten that it is supposed to be spring up in Big Moose Township! Big Squaw/Big Moose Mountain seems to consistently have the most snow in the state, and today was no exception. They remain one of the few ski areas in New England to be 100% open, and there isn't a thin or bare spot to be seen on the entire mountain! Every trail was open, and everything was groomed, except for Canada Falls. Groomed terrain was a nice fast mix of loose and frozen granular, but ungroomed terrain was frozen solid, for the most part. Temperatures were in the mid 30s, but the clouds and wind kept things relatively chilly. There were even a few brief periods of snow throughout the day.

The day started in an interesting way when the mountain lost power when I was one chair away from the unload ramp on my first run of the day. After a few minutes, they unloaded everyone using the auxiliary motor. They gave rides up to where the T-bar used to end using the "school bus" towed behind a snowmobile, which they usually use for lessons. After about an hour, the power came back, and they restarted the chair.

Tomorrow is their last day of the season, although it's due to a lack of customers, not a lack of snow. It was an excellent day of midwinter conditions in April, and it was likely one of my last days of the season.

Donaher Triple

This is how close to the top I was stuck until they got the auxiliary motor started

Donaher Triple

Allagash

This was our ride up the mountain while the power was out

Unloading near where the T-bar ended

Squaw Brook

Fitzgerald & the abandoned hotel

Fitzgerald

Saint John

Kennebec looking towards Moosehead Lake

The Donaher Triple over Exterminator

The Donaher Triple over Rip Gorge

Katahdin across Moosehead Lake

snowphoenix

Looks like a great day! I've never seen anything like that "school bus" before but it sounds like a great alternative to having a dedicated beginner lift.

Good to see smaller, more remote areas like this continuing to operate into April despite the lack of visitation.

NewEnglandSkier13

snowphoenix;c-60274 wroteLooks like a great day! I've never seen anything like that "school bus" before but it sounds like a great alternative to having a dedicated beginner lift.

Good to see smaller, more remote areas like this continuing to operate into April despite the lack of visitation.

They do have a carpet as a beginner lift, but they use the "school bus" as a step between the carpet and chair. They usually run it up Lower Fitzgerald to the flat area in front of the old hotel.

And yes, I'm glad they stayed open as long as they did, even though it's obvious that their visitation is way down at this point.

ciscokid

Man that looks like midwinter yet, some nice new shots from different spots.
I’d love to be that school bus driver! ( I have a cdl w pass/ airbrakelol)
Too bad they couldn’t used the bus to the top of Penobscot

Sam am I seeing ice on those lakes ?

Nice report

NewEnglandSkier13

ciscokid;c-60277 wroteMan that looks like midwinter yet, some nice new shots from different spots.
I’d love to be that school bus driver! ( I have a cdl w pass/ airbrakelol)
Too bad they couldn’t used the bus to the top of Penobscot

Sam am I seeing ice on those lakes ?

Nice report

Thanks, it's sometimes a challenge to get new/interesting shots at place I visit a lot.

Unfortunately because of how heavy it is when fully loaded, anything above the top of the old T-bar is too steep for the "school bus."

Yes, the ice is still in across most of the state, although next week is likely to change that in many places.

ciscokid

Thanks Sam
Seems Greenville area is at least the same weather wise as our Upper Peninsula

Was that a snowcat a few weeks back that you couldn’t get? Did they groom the full Penobscot?
How much was it and couldn’t you do it again?
( just thing seeing some old pics of the lake(s) from the top are gorgeous)

NewEnglandSkier13

ciscokid;c-60280 wroteThanks Sam
Seems Greenville area is at least the same weather wise as our Upper Peninsula

Was that a snowcat a few weeks back that you couldn’t get? Did they groom the full Penobscot?
How much was it and couldn’t you do it again?
( just thing seeing some old pics of the lake(s) from the top are gorgeous)

Yes, they've been offering snowcat rides to the summit almost every day that they're been open recently, but there usually aren't enough interested people to run trips on weekdays. It costs $50 per ride and they need at least 5 people to do it. They usually groom the full lengths of East Branch and Penobscot.

ciscokid

Yea not getting enough folks to do that stinks. I would think it would be worth it at least once.

I had the same problem up in the Canadian Rockies at Jasper trying to get a flight seeing trip on a Tuesday and the guy couldn’t get anyone else. Sucked cause every where you went there were hordes of non English non North Americans. It was funny some cultures don’t know what standing in line and take your turn means. I had to do the old box out rebound move lol and with my tone of voice they finally got it!