Top to Bottom Snowfall Reported at Maine Ski Resorts
A persistent high pressure system has finally broken in the Intermountain West, meanwhile, ski resorts in Maine are reporting their first substantial snowfall of the season.
Check out the webcam photos below from Saddleback, Maine on October 14, 2024. Flakes fell from the top to the bottom of the mountain, and low-lying clouds are still lingering.
Saddleback, Top of the World webcam, October 14, 2024.
Photo: Saddleback
Saddleback, Top of the Rangeley webcam, October 14, 2024.
Photo: Saddleback
Saddleback, Lodge webcam, October 14, 2024.
Photo: Saddleback
Even though snow accumulated from top to bottom at Saddleback, it's clear that rain and sleet were mixed in at lower elevations. At the time of writing this article, (10:30am EST) most of the snow on Saddleback's Lodge Cam has begun to melt away.
No matter, the season's first real storm is always worth celebrating, especially when it happens in mid-October. The early-season snow is a bit of a tease for Saddleback skiers, however, as the ski area's projected opening date isn't until December 6, 2024. That's 53 days away for those of you keep score at home.
Saddleback's neighbor and the largest ski resort in the state, Sugarloaf Mountain, also reported accumulation on the morning of October 14, 2024.
The popular ski resort has yet to post photos to social media of the snow and changing leaves combo known as 'snowliage', but don't be surprised if a few images populate your feed later this afternoon. For now, check out the accumulated snow on Sugarloaf's various webcams below.
Sugarloaf, Bullwinkle's webcam, October 14, 2024.
Photo: Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf, Narrow Gauge webcam, October 14, 2024.
Photo: Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf, Top of Skyline webcam, October 14, 2024.
Photo: Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf skiers have much less time to wait until opening day. Thanks to the mountain's high elevation and advanced snowmaking capabilities, the ski resort is projected to open on Friday, November 22, 2024, the week before Thanksgiving.
That's an earlier opening than many major western resorts including: Palisades Tahoe, CA; Jackson Hole, WY; and Big Sky Resort, MT. Who said you can't have a long ski season out east...?
Sugarloaf is entering the Winter '24/'25 season with a list of offseason improvement projects that are geared to create an, "unforgettable experience for winter enthusiasts of all ages."
On the top of that list, is the continued enhancement of the new beginner and intermediate friendly zone called West Mountain. The new Bucksaw Express chairlift opened last February with nine new runs. Two additional runs, Twitcher and Yarder, will open this season for the first time. Sugarloaf has invested heavily in this new zone with added snowmaking capabilities to help with early-season conditions.
Sugarloaf is also planning a complete redesign of its terrain park offerings for the Winter '24/'25 season.
Bucksaw Express opening at Sugarloaf, Maine, February, 2024.
Photo: Sugarloaf
The buzz for the Winter '24/'25 season is continuing to grow as snow starts to fall more consistently across the country. Keep it here at POWDER for the daily ski news, gear reviews, and stories you're looking for. We've got you covered!
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