Oquossoc, Maine — The desire remains high for skiers to find areas off the beaten path.
This has fueled demand for backcountry skiing, which has surged since the pre-pandemic days. As a result, New England has gained more backcountry ski zones, thanks to the work of volunteer crews. One of the newest projects will be happening near Saddleback Mountain.
Over the past few years, the High Peaks Alliance has been working on a new glade zone in Oquossoc. Two new glades will be sculpted between the old trails of the Bald Mountain ski area, which had a brief operational history. The plan also includes a dedicated uphill route for skinners, along with improvements to the existing T-Bar lift line.
The project is being done in collaboration with the Granite Backcountry Alliance. That non-profit group has created glade networks across New England, including at the sites of old ski areas.
Their latest update came on August 6th, when leaders from the High Peaks Alliance, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and the Granite Backcountry Alliance met at the former ski area to discuss the planned projects before this upcoming winter. The next work days for the project are September 19th and 20th.
History of Bald Mountain
Bald Mountain was a ski area that operated during the 1960s. It featured a small skiable network, which was served by a T-Bar. It also had a couple of ski jumps. The ski area faced tough competition right off the bat, as the much bigger Saddleback Mountain opened around the same timeframe. The ski area closed in the second half of the 1960s, with its old lift sold to Titcomb.
However, Bald Mountain has remained a popular spot for backcountry skiers and hikers. With these improvements, it sounds like this will remain the case for years to come.
Image Credits: High Peaks Alliance
