Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, is changing course on a major chairlift replacement project, abandoning plans to install a retired six-pack chairlift from Big Sky Resort in Montana in favor of a brand-new high-speed quad.
The revised plan was discussed during Sugarloaf’s annual Homecoming meeting on October 10, when resort officials provided updates on ongoing mountain improvements and future infrastructure projects.
Sugarloaf had previously planned to replace its aging Timberline chairlift with Big Sky’s former Six Shooter, a detachable six-person chairlift removed in 2024 to make way for the new Madison 8. The retired lift was transported across the country to Maine, where it was intended to serve Sugarloaf’s upper mountain.
The resort confirmed those plans in February 2025, describing the proposed replacement as a more wind-resistant six-pack that would improve summit access and potentially support additional summer operations.
Why Sugarloaf Is Changing Its Plans
According to accounts of the October meeting, Sugarloaf determined that the former Six Shooter would provide more uphill capacity than necessary for the Timberline terrain. Installing the larger lift would also require a wider corridor through the mountain’s upper-elevation forest.
The resort is now pursuing a new detachable quad that would better match the anticipated demand while reducing the amount of clearing required.
Timberline serves some of Sugarloaf’s highest terrain, providing access to the mountain’s summit at 4,237 feet. The exposed location makes wind resistance an important consideration for any replacement.
The project also involves an extensive permitting process because the proposed lift alignment passes through environmentally sensitive terrain.
Earlier plans included extending the replacement lift downhill toward Bullwinkle’s Restaurant and creating an additional ski trail to improve access from the summit. Whether the revised four-person lift will follow exactly the same alignment has not been confirmed.
Timberline Replacement Still Awaiting Approval
Sugarloaf is still working through the permitting process, and the resort has not announced a final installation date, manufacturer or construction budget for the new quad. It remains unclear what will happen to the retired Six Shooter equipment that was already transported from Montana.
