Saddleback Rumors

[UVSHTSTRM]

Big announcement coming tomorrow, per a post over at Sugarloaftoday. Powdr buying Saddleback? Or perhaps the Visa Program? Stay tuned!:-o

My guess would be the EB 5 (?), not sure a US senator would be involved with a simple transaction of some sort of sale.

 

[wa-loaf]

Hmm, interesting. If they get a big cash infusion things will get pretty exciting up there.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Hmm, interesting. If they get a big cash infusion things will get pretty exciting up there.

Yup, I am guessing they will be looking at 10's of millions. That will help get the lifts they want that are on their maps, and really get the condo/townhome building going. Of course it's Maine so who knows what it is. Maybe they are going to announce that Roxanne Quimby bought the place, and she will be removing all man made things from the mountain side and turn it into a National Park.

 

[salsgang]

Jay peak and Saddleback have similar geography and local economies ..if this is the case wonder who the investors are.

 

[UVSHTSTRM]

Jay peak and Saddleback have similar geography and local economies ..if this is the case wonder who the investors are.

Random foreign investors who would like for them and their families to have an inside track to US citizenship, if in fact this is an announcement about the EB-5 program. In my opinion the investment is the Visa, as I doubt they expect much in the way of return from the ski resort itself.

Granted this announcement could have zero to do with any of the above.

 

[salsgang]

I like the Roxanne Quimby theory. Funny.

 

[riverc0il]

Jay peak and Saddleback have similar geography and local economies ..if this is the case wonder who the investors are.

Rangeley has a much bigger local economy than Jay Peak. Jay Peak is working on becoming a four season resort whereas Rangeley already has four season down pat with fishing and boating. Rangeley also has the benefit of a massive snow mobiling culture. Jay is a blip on the map and so is Montgomery compared to Rangeley. I don't think the two are comparable.

 

[dropKickMurphy]

Rangeley has a much bigger local economy than Jay Peak. Jay Peak is working on becoming a four season resort whereas Rangeley already has four season down pat with fishing and boating. Rangeley also has the benefit of a massive snow mobiling culture. Jay is a blip on the map and so is Montgomery compared to Rangeley. I don't think the two are comparable.

True. Summer is their busier season. In winter, Sarge's seems to have more sledders than skiers. But the number of skiers seems to be increasing each year.

I'd love to see them continue to expand their terrain and improve the lift system. I'm not as excited about the idea of adding more resort style amenities. This place has a definite character that makes it one of my very favorite places to ski. That character could be jeopardized by too much development at the base.

Rangely is a very cool little town.I'd love to see the local businesses benefit from Saddleback's success.

 

[salsgang]

Rangeley has a much bigger local economy than Jay Peak. Jay Peak is working on becoming a four season resort whereas Rangeley already has four season down pat with fishing and boating. Rangeley also has the benefit of a massive snow mobiling culture. Jay is a blip on the map and so is Montgomery compared to Rangeley. I don't think the two are comparable.

Valid points. I was thinking more along the lines the distance one has to travel to ski there. Jay gets a lot of Canadian visits with Shervbroke and Montreal within a reasonable distance via interstate. I think Saddleback is much more remote from an access perspective. I agree that Rangeley has the lakes and is more of a 4 season destination.

Anyway - whatever the news is I hope it is good and Saddleback is able to keep its charm!

 

[soposkier]

Saddleback does not need to build its own "resort", a lodging base yes, but the region itself does enough to pull in people year round. They can focus on appealing to people simply on skiing. With both Saddleback and Sugarloaf getting investment it is great for the region. I wonder what the total number of beds available is within a half hour radius of saddleback.

I personally love the fact that the region is considered by many to be inaccesible. The drive is well worth it. (and it helps that Route 17 is now redone from Mexico to the height of the land, if you take that way).

 

[riverc0il]

(and it helps that Route 17 is now redone from Mexico to the height of the land, if you take that way).

Nice! When did that happen? That is a heck of a lot of road to repave!

 

[soposkier]

Nice! When did that happen? That is a heck of a lot of road to repave!

Over the summer, looks like it just finished up recently. The height of the land section has a whole new alignment.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/rive...rlook-rangeley-area-now-open-route-17/1104345

Made the drive really fun through the Coos Canyon stretch. Could average probably 5-10 mph faster higher not having to worry about heaves and potholes.

 

[deadheadskier]

Over the summer, looks like it just finished up recently. The height of the land section has a whole new alignment.

http://www.sunjournal.com/news/rive...rlook-rangeley-area-now-open-route-17/1104345

Made the drive really fun through the Coos Canyon stretch. Could average probably 5-10 mph faster higher not having to worry about heaves and potholes.

good to know

the one time I went to Saddleback I was cursing that drive. The frost heaves and potholes were insane.

 

[frapcap]

good to know

the one time I went to Saddleback I was cursing that drive. The frost heaves and potholes were insane.

There was a ton of HOLD ON! and AWSHITBALLS on that drive last year. I'd chalk it up to one of the worst roads in the country. Glad to hear its been improved upon.

 

[thetrailboss]

The EB5 program would make sense for Saddleback. The area demographically would probably qualify for the $500k step, like Jay. As to why a Senator is involved, there needs to be an "EB5 Center" nearby to review projects and approve those that are worthy. Sen. Leahy in Vermont has been really promoting this program for Vermont. And not every project qualifies. So Maine's Senator probably got INS to open a center in ME and to approve the project.

 

[riverc0il]

There was a ton of HOLD ON! and AWSHITBALLS on that drive last year. I'd chalk it up to one of the worst roads in the country. Glad to hear its been improved upon.

As bad as it was, it was better than going Route 2 to Erol in NH and coming in from that direction. North from Mexico was actually pretty good until you started the uphill... then things got really interesting.

The overlook in the link above looks fantastic! That road is amazing from a view perspective. I never knew there even was a turnout before... might have to stop there and take a better look at some point. Usually I am too busy white knuckling those turns and bracing for the heaves. The article says only about 1 mile was regraded so that is the worst of the heaves and turns but clearly not the entire problem area.

 

[tipsdown]

good to know

the one time I went to Saddleback I was cursing that drive. The frost heaves and potholes were insane.

They also repaved all of rt 4 north of Farmington including downtown Rangeley. The drive is much better from every direction....

 

[soposkier]

As bad as it was, it was better than going Route 2 to Erol in NH and coming in from that direction. North from Mexico was actually pretty good until you started the uphill... then things got really interesting.

The overlook in the link above looks fantastic! That road is amazing from a view perspective. I never knew there even was a turnout before... might have to stop there and take a better look at some point. Usually I am too busy white knuckling those turns and bracing for the heaves. The article says only about 1 mile was regraded so that is the worst of the heaves and turns but clearly not the entire problem area.

Highly recommend the stop, well worth it. One of the best views around.

The one mile talked about in the article was completely reconstructed and partially realigned. Where the turnout is in the photos is where the road used to be.

 

[thetrailboss]

OK, so it is almost noon EST. What was the big announcement? The road?

 

[tipsdown]

Signs seems to be pointing towards the EB5. Rangeley/Saddleback is bursting with potential but has remained more or less undeveloped for years becasue the resources haven't been there. This would be a logical approach to really get things off the ground and would be great for Western Maine for sure. As for Saddleback? It depends...Assuming the Berry family is still involved, they'll do their best to preserve the character that so many visitors are attracted to. But you've got to wonder...It's certainly a balancing act. The more cash the more difficult it will be. If things are done the right way and will be great for all parties involved...