December 20 opening postponed until early January due to construction delays.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
The dramatic multi-million dollar redevelopment project at Camden Snow Bowl has hit more delays, resulting in another postponement of opening day. According to a Facebook post, snowmaking may start later this week, with hope of opening the first full week in January. NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com reported in mid-November that the projected December 20, 2014 opening day was unlikely due to delays.
The first year of the two year, $6.5 million redevelopment project includes new terrain, snowmaking infrastructure, night skiing, and the installation of two chairlifts. A new main lodge will be constructed during the second year of the project.
Beginning in March of 2014, all of Camden's lifts were removed. Trail work also commenced around this time, eventually hitting a snag in early in the summer when silt deposits were discovered in the parking lot. According to Camden Snow Bowl, "[s]ince that incident, we have had on-going supervision by an engineer and soil scientist from Gartley & Dorsky, and spent more than $50,000 on erosion control measures."
Night skiing improvement plans have also had issues, as the full lighting build out will not happen as planned due to budgetary issues.
Lift construction also fell behind schedule. As mentioned in the August 15, 2014 development update, Camden has a history of not completing lift installations until January, citing the Big T-Bar and double chairlift. Concrete work was not completed until late November, with towers and terminals being put in place in early December. Haul rope splicing started on December 27.
As of December 30, the triple chairlift cable has been spliced, but it is not known when the installation and lift inspection will be completed.
