Fundraiser Announced to Acquire Big Moose Mountain
A non-profit has been operating the ski area for over a decade.
Friday, December 20, 2024, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Friends of the Mountain announced today that they are partnering with the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation to attempt to acquire Big Moose Mountain ski area. The non-profit has been operating the ski area since 2012. James Confalone has owned the former Big Squaw ski area since 1995.
According to a statement issued by Friends of the Mountain, the group intends to raise $5.95 million to acquire 1,716 acres, including the ski area. The non-profit has reportedly previously raised $1.2 million to reopen and improve the ski area. The entire 4,500 acre property is listed at $27,000,000.
The initiative will be launched next month under the name Ski the View, Save the Mountain. Realtor Rodney Folsom, who is the listing agent, will become Friends of the Mountain's Board President, while current Board Present Amy Lane will transition to the role of Executive Director.
“Only by placing this mountain in nonprofit hands will we be able to attract funding and build a financially sustainable ski destination for generations to come,” said Amy Lane, Friends Board President.
Located near Moosehead Lake, Squaw Mountain debuted in 1963 as a T-Bar served ski area, expanding its vertical drop to 1,700 feet with the installation of a double chairlift in 1967. In 1974, Scott Paper Company gave the resort to the State of Maine, which struggled with it for a dozen years before selling it in 1986. The resort subsequently went through a series of owners and operators until James Confalone acquired it in 1995. A March 2004 upper chairlift failure resulted in skiing being limited to the lower mountain until the entire operation ceased in 2010.
After sitting idle for two years, the Friends of Squaw Mountain reopened Big Squaw for the 2012-13 season. The non-profit later became known as Friends of the Mountain and has continued to invest in the area, including reclaiming trails and buildings and installing a novice carpet lift. A Borvig triple chairlift currently serves 660 vertical feet of terrain.
