Fabled Ski Runs Dot the Landscape in the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine

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Fabled Ski Runs Dot the Landscape in the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine


Skiers heading to Jockey Cap in Fryeburg, Maine, circa 1940
When folks consider skiing in the Lakes Regions of Maine, areas like Sugarloaf, Saddleback, Sunday River and Shawnee Peak and others come to mind. According to the New England Lost Ski Area Project, at least 76 other ski areas once dotted Maine’s landscape.
How can a ski area disappear? Blame it on low-snow winters of the past, small size, insurance rates, lack of interest, the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973-74, and the fact that the sport became more upscale in the late ‘70s-early ‘80s. The small rope tow to mid-sized facilities couldn’t keep up with the big boys. And yet, these places were conceived because skiing had the potential to drive the winter economy in our small towns where farming and industry were becoming a thing of the past. These were the places were locals learned the sport of skiing in the ‘50s and ‘60s and made wonderful memories. Today many of these ski areas are overgrown or being developed but in most places hikers still enjoy the space once carved out for schussing down the hill.
In the Sebago Lakes Region of Maine, these are a few of the now abandoned ski areas:
Jockey Cap, Fryeburg: Sporting the first rope tow in Maine, the Jockey Cap Ski Area was built in 1936. A snow train brought skiers from Portland to Fryeburg where farmers would meet the train and transport the skiers to the hill via hay wagons. Today, Jockey Cap is a popular rock climbing spot and an easy climb up the backside for family hikes.
Starks Hill, Fryeburg: Fryeburg Academy students used a rope tow installed on this hill owned by John Weston. In 1972, Mr. Weston sold the rights to the mountain to Keith Hodsdon and his stepsons. Adding a T-bar and lodge, they renamed the place Ski-W (apparently the W stood for Weston) and opened the ski area in 1974. After two successful years a devastating fire destroyed the lodge and the ski area closed. This space is not entirely abandoned, however, as the Fryeburg Academy Nordic Ski team still trains and hosts races here.

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Hobb’s Hill, Harrison: In the late 1930s a rope tow, tobogganing area and shelter were situated here. Hobb’s Hill is located between Dawes Hill and Maple Ridge Roads.

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Mt Quito, Casco: A rope tow made it possible to access one of several trails at this in-town ski area built in the 1930s. Mt Quito is on the northeastern side of Parker Pond and just southwest of Pine Hill.

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No-Par Ski Area, Norway: Built on Pike’s Hill in Norway, folks in the Oxford Hills region enjoyed this ski area from about 1947-67. After the ski area closed, the high school used it for their team practices.

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Burnt Meadow Mountain Ski Area, Brownfield: In 1967 the Burnt Meadow Mountain Recreation Area received a loan from the Farmer’s Home Association to create a ski area in hopes of helping the local economy. The ski area opened for the ’71-72 ski season, but saw its demise when several bad snow years followed. In 1980 Wendell Pierce, owner of the Big Rock Ski Area in Mars Hill, purchased Burnt Meadow and renamed it Zodiac Skiway. Unfortunately, it continued to lose money and finally closed in  1982. Supposedly, the T-bar still stands entirely intact, but the area has been developed in recent years.

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Evergreen Valley, Stoneham: With hopes to attract people from near and far to the Adams Mountain Ski-Way, plans were made to develop a ski area with a T-bar, five or six trails and a small lodge. The land for the trails would be leased from the White Mountain National Forest. The plan escalated into creating an upscale four-season resort known as Evergreen Valley. Financial and management problems meant that it was a decade of planning and difficulties before the ski area finally opened in 1972 with nine trails and night skiing. Located in the middle of nowhere, plus poor advertising, and continued problems soon led to the demise of this ski area in 1982. Occasionally there is talk of reviving the resort, but to date it seems to be home to a few condos and some great hiking opportunities.

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While you are looking for lakefront property in the Lakes Region of Maine, I encourage you to hike around these abandoned ski areas and learn more about their history.

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