O'Connor Alpine Center Public Ski Days

NewEnglandSkier13

If anyone has been looking for the opportunity to ski the normally private O’Connor Alpine Center at Kents Hill School, you will have two chances this winter! I’m going to try to make it on the 24th.

loafman207

Wow, I am going to try and make it on the 28th! Is this an annual thing?

NewEnglandSkier13

loafman207 Is this an annual thing?

As far as I know, it’s since the first time they’ve done it in the 7 winters I’ve up here. It’s super close to me, and I’ve always wanted to ski there! I believe it’s the only upside-down ski area in New England; it’s definitely the only one in Maine!

loafman207

If a few things break my way this winter this will be the 22nd Maine downhill area of skied at, exciting for me. I have a family member who can see the slope from their house, always talked about the good ole days sneaking onto kent’s hill!

NewEnglandSkier13

loafman207 Maine has 22 total ski areas, 20 of which are regularly open to the public. Did you ski some NELSAP areas before they closed, or did you get a chance to ski at the Caribou High School hill?

I’m also trying to ski all of the public ski areas in Maine, and the only one I have left is Pinnacle. They haven’t been able to open their main tow in a few years, and this year isn’t looking good either. O’Connor will be a bonus areas for me!

ski_it

Thanks for the info Sam. IDK long ride these days. Been there 2 or 3 times. It was only running once and I was denied.
Hey no fair! I only have 21. A shell of the former Eaton.

loafman207

Sam, this is the list I have for Maine ski areas -

Sugarloaf
Sunday River
Saddleback
Pleasant
Mt. Abram
Black Mountain
Lost Valley
Camden Snow Bowl
Hermon
Big Rock
Titcomb
Spruce Mountain
Powderhouse Hill
Big Moose
Quarry Roads
Lonesome Pine Trails
Quoggy Jo
Baker
Pinnacle
Mt Jefferson

Throw in Kent’s Hill and that would make 21, which is the other Maine ski area that I’m missing? I’m unfamiliar with Caribou high hill if that is it. I have skied Eaton mountain back before it closed, a shame but I don’t think that place is coming back anytime soon.

NewEnglandSkier13

loafman207 Yes, the Caribou High School tow is number 22. There is very limited information about it, but it doesn’t sound like it’s ever open to the public.

I’m still hopeful about Eaton; they have been keeping trails clear, have been posting occasional updates, and have installed a new sign at the road.

loafman207

It was a really nice place to ski back in the day. I just read Quoggy Jo’s statement on Facebook, seems like times are thin there. I am planning a Jo/Big Rock day later in the winter to try and support them. Long drive from 04106 but I’ve only been to Big Rock once so I am eager to check out their new quad as well.

NewEnglandSkier13

loafman207 I had a lot of fun up at the northern Maine ski areas; I’ve got to make a trip back up there sometime (and maybe figure out how to ski at Caribou HS)!

ski_it

Tell them you are a recruiter for the ski team from Bowdoin

lotsoskiing

ski_it That doesn’t have an Alpine team…

ski_it

lotsoskiing 🙂 They’re so far upstate they won’t know 😉

MrMagic

Hopping to get up there to O’Connor on Saturday for a few turns hopefully this cold won’t make them rethinking their operation plan.

NewEnglandSkier13

MrMagic I’ve been keeping an eye on it; they haven’t cancelled it yet. I also plan to be there as long as it happens.

MrMagic

That is positive its a 5.5 hour drive up for me so fingers crossed!!!!!!

ski_it

Well they are Mainers but did you email them?
Friday Night - Mostly clear, with a low around -6. Wind chill values as low as -22. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Saturday - Sunny and cold, with a high near 6. Northwest wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

MrMagic

Just heared back from them.the ski tow will NOT open sat due to the cold temps.
Too bad would have made a great addition to my 204 different ski areas but im glad I found out now before driving up. Hope you guys are able to get the next date and share some pictures.

NewEnglandSkier13

MrMagic Just heared back from them.the ski tow will NOT open sat due to the cold temps.

Too bad; I don’t think I’ll be able to make it on February 24th. Hopefully they will do it again next season.

ski_it

MrMagic So I take it, no mention of a postponement? Yikes 204? I can’t even count that high