Despite the pandemic restrictions, I was very fortunate to be staying in Rangeley, Maine, this winter. I witnessed some beautiful sunsets near Saddleback (see above) and was still able to take part in some ‘Parks and Peaks’ experiences that I’d love to share with you. I know it still seems a little bleak, but each day gets better, and I’m very optimistic that the latter part of 2021 and beyond will be a time that we can once again embrace our love of the outdoors and the National Park system.
The Beauty of a Season Pass
In December, Saddleback Ski Mountain reopened under new management after a 5-year hiatus. The Mountain boasts a 2,000-foot vertical, 75 runs and great tree skiing. It also happens to be very close to my country home in Maine so my wife and I bought a season pass for the first time. It was a game changer and it completely transformed our ski experience to – “a ski lover’s delight”! We could hop over to the Mountain any time and ski at no additional cost. The season pass was rejuvenating.
TIP: Speaking of passes, I also highly recommend you consider purchasing a pass to the National Parks system. It’s a screaming deal! – $80 for either a Lifetime Pass (if you’re 62) or an Annual Pass. I came of age last May and bought the Lifetimer. Now I can visit any Park, any time, any year for FREE!
Skinning Up a Mountain
A Saddleback Season Pass also provided the opportunity to try new things on the Mountain – and for me, the big “Ah-ha” moment came when I tried backcountry ski touring aka “skinning”. This sport, involves skiing uphill by adhering a special fabric (“skin”) to the underside of your skis and using a different type of binding (and ski boot) to enable your heel to come off the ski for forward locomotion (similar to xc skiing). You skin up a trail to the mountaintop, then adjust the binding and boot to ski down in normal downhill fashion. It’s quite the workout and I loved it!
FUN FACT: Skinning is similar to hiking, you rarely go straight up the fall line, rather you proceed uphill in a more gradual zig-zag pattern (think switchbacks). Also, you will need a place to store additional clothing and to hold your “skins” for the trip down, so plan to wear a light daypack.
The easily marked Saddleback uphill trail provides a 2.2 mile 1100 vertical ft. gain but I suggest a guided lesson along with rental equipment for first-timers.
Full Moon Tour
For another adventure I participated in a Full Moon Tour to the Saddleback summit on a cloudless night in late February. Peaceful, quiet, serene. It was stunning, a moon so bright and unobscured we didn’t need headlamps. I had never skied down a mountain trail lit solely by the light of the moon. Unforgettable.
Again, I was very fortunate to be in Maine during the final months of winter and with a season ski pass I was able to enjoy the outdoors and ski responsibly whenever I wanted. If you are a ski lover and live near ski country, I highly recommend getting a season pass. Yet, no matter where you are, there is always a slice of nature ready to be explored close by.
Up Next: Adventures in Maine…
Peter’s 7 Must Do Travel Tips in Acadia National Park
Cycling the Carriage and Park Loop roads of Acadia National Park
