The Waterville, Maine area last operated during the 1970s.
Monday, February 21, 2022, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
For the first time in over forty years, lift served skiing has returned to Waterville, Maine, as the Quarry Road Trails rope tow started spinning over the weekend. Crowds were light for the "soft opening."
The Quarry Road area originally had lift service installed for the winter of 1937-38, expanding to a T-Bar for the 1963-64 season when it was referred to as the Colby College ski area. The enlarged facility operated with snowmaking and night skiing until being shuttered in the late 1970s.
After sitting idle for a quarter of a century, the City of Waterville acquired the property and grants were obtained to develop a nordic ski area. Snowmaking was installed for the 2012-13 season. A few years later, alpine ski discussions started in earnest.
The culmination of half a decade of work, a $48,000 rope tow project was funded with donations, including a matching offer from the Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation. At present, a 400 foot long, 15 horsepower Towpro portable rope tow serves a 75 vertical foot novice slope. Future plans call for a base lodge and a T-Bar, which would restore lift service to the prior 240 foot vertical footprint.
The Quarry Road rope tow is scheduled to operate on weekend days this winter. Vacation week operations may also take place, pending volunteer availability. Lift tickets are $10, while season passes are $50. The slope is covered with manmade snow.
