The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Pleasant Mountain's summit reaches 1,899 feet, dropping 1,299 vertical feet to a base at 600 feet across 43 runs spread over 249 acres in Bridgton and Denmark, Maine. Terrain splits 45 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent beginner, 20 per cent advanced and 10 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 100 inches. The resort carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation beyond its own New England Gold Pass. Six lifts, including one quad chair and three triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside two surface lifts.
Pleasant Mountain is the oldest major ski area in Maine, a heritage the resort has actively reclaimed after decades operating under a different name. Its modest snowfall total relative to other Maine mountains means the resort leans on snowmaking to sustain its roughly seventeen-week season. Night skiing and family-friendly terrain define much of its appeal for the nearby Lakes Region and Portland-area skier base.
The ski area first opened on 23 January 1938, when local students, Civilian Conservation Corps members and volunteers cleared a single trail on the mountain's western slope. A rope tow followed three years later, and the Pleasant Mountain Ski Club was born, cementing the area's status as Maine's original ski destination. In 1988, the resort was sold to Shawnee Mountain Corporation and renamed Shawnee Peak to link the Maine mountain with its Pennsylvania namesake.
For the 2022-23 season, the resort returned to its original name, Pleasant Mountain, a decision made specifically to honour its 84-year history and the mountain it calls home. Adult full-day tickets range from 35 to 79 US dollars depending on date, among the more accessible pricing structures in the region. This combination of historic identity and everyday affordability distinguishes Pleasant Mountain from Maine's larger, more heavily marketed resorts.
1,299ft
Vertical
43
Runs
249 acres
Skiable
8ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
43 runs across 249 acres skiable
Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton, Maine, is the state's oldest major ski area, with 43 runs across 249 acres (101 hectares). The vertical is 1,300 ft (396 m), from a 600 ft (183 m) base to a 1,900 ft (579 m) summit. Terrain is 25% beginner, 45% intermediate, 20% advanced and 10% expert, a balanced split for a Lakes Region hill. Snowfall averages around 100 inches a year, and snowmaking covers about 98% of the terrain, so conditions hold up well. It is an easy, uncrowded day out for skiers coming up from Portland.
The mountain has seven glades and three terrain parks, which give it more variety than the run count suggests, and a large share of its trails run under lights for night skiing. Intermediates make up the bulk of the skiing, a tenth of the mountain is expert-rated for stronger skiers, and beginners and families have gentler terrain to learn on. Pleasant Mountain suits day-trippers, families and intermediates, and experts will enjoy the glades and the park laps but should expect modest challenge overall from a hill of this size, so it works best as a local favourite or a Lakes Region day trip.
Terrain split
43
runs
43 runs across 4 grades
Beginner11 runs · 25%
Intermediate19 runs · 45%
Advanced9 runs · 20%
Expert4 runs · 10%
Time it right
When to visit Pleasant Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Pleasant Mountain ran from 12 December 2025 to 5 April 2026, a roughly seventeen-week season. The resort's modest average annual snowfall of around 100 inches means snowmaking plays a significant role in sustaining conditions across the season, particularly given the length of the operating window relative to natural accumulation. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from late December through February, typically offers the most reliable conditions once snowmaking has built a consistent base. Night skiing extends the useful ski day for the resort's core catchment of Lakes Region locals and Portland-area day-trippers. Weekend crowds are generally heavier than weekdays, reflecting the resort's role serving both local residents and visitors from further afield.
The resort's own New England Gold Pass provides access to a network of affiliated mountains beyond Pleasant Mountain alone, extending its reach for season pass holders. As Maine's oldest major ski area, the resort's calendar leans toward family and ski school programming consistent with its long-standing accessible, community-focused identity. School holiday periods bring the heaviest family visitation.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The 2022-23 return to the Pleasant Mountain name has been accompanied by a renewed emphasis on the mountain's 1938 origins as part of its seasonal identity. Its accessible pricing, with adult full-day tickets from 35 US dollars, continues to position the resort as an affordable option relative to Maine's larger destination mountains.
Season 2026 - 2027
4 Dec 2026
Opens
4 Apr 2027
Closes
121
Days open
8 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Pleasant Mountain, and where to stay
Pleasant Mountain sits across Bridgton and Denmark in the Maine Lakes Region, with a base elevation of 600 feet and a summit at 1,899 feet across a 1,299-foot vertical drop over 249 acres. This is a hilly, lake-dotted part of western Maine roughly 45 minutes from Portland, the state's largest city.
Bridgton is the nearest town, offering lodging, dining and services for resort visitors, with the broader Lakes Region providing additional recreation beyond skiing. Portland, Maine's commercial and cultural hub, supplies much of the resort's weekend and day-trip visitor base given the short drive between the two. The Lakes Region's mix of lake and mountain recreation gives Pleasant Mountain a distinct four-season appeal.
US Route 302 connects Portland to Bridgton and the broader Lakes Region, providing the main route for visitors approaching Pleasant Mountain. Winter driving conditions on Maine's rural roads can include snow and ice, though the main routes are generally well maintained given the area's steady winter traffic. No direct public transport service reaches the resort itself.
Portland International Jetport is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, roughly 45 minutes from the resort. This makes Pleasant Mountain one of the more accessible Maine ski areas for visitors flying into the state, though most day-to-day skiers are locals or Portland-area residents driving up rather than fly-in destination travellers.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Pleasant Mountain, powered by Stay22.
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