Big Rock Secures Federal Funding for New Chairlift
The funds will also fund snowmaking improvements.
Wednesday, August 17, 2022, NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com
Big Rock Maine has secured $2.5 million in American Rescue Plan funds, Maine Public Radio reports. The federal funds will be used to install a new quad chairlift and improve snowmaking at the non-profit ski area. Big Rock has been raising funds for the project since 2021.
According to a director at the ski area, the snowmaking improvements will help to extend Big Rock's ski season. Big Rock typically operates from mid-December to early- to mid-April.
Big Rock's new lift is slated to be a Doppelmayr Alpenstar fixed grip quad, rising 929 vertical feet over a run of 3,496 feet, decreasing ride time from 12 minutes to 8 minutes. The lift could be installed for the 2023-24 season, replacing the circa 1970 Mueller double chairlift that was installed at Big Rock in 1993 after operating sporadically at the defunct Evergreen Valley ski area. A novice Doppelmayr-CTEC triple chairlift was installed at Big Rock in 2004.
Located in northern Maine on the Canadian border, Big Rock was recently added to the Indy Pass.
