Saddleback
440 acres, 68 runs in the Rangeley Lakes. Reopened 2020, named #1 in the East by SKI Magazine.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
12 Dec 2025
Closes
19 Apr 2026
Days open
128
Annual snow
225in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Saddleback's summit reaches 4,123 feet, dropping 1,662 vertical feet to a base at 2,461 feet across 68 runs spread over 440 acres in the Rangeley Lakes region of western Maine. Terrain splits 33 per cent intermediate, 32 per cent beginner, 25 per cent advanced and 10 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 225 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation. Six lifts, including three quad chairs, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift and two t-bars.
Saddleback's remote Rangeley Lakes setting keeps crowds notably lighter than Maine's larger, more accessible resorts, a character that has become central to its identity since reopening after a lengthy closure. The mountain's classic New England layout and terrain variety have earned it strong reader recognition in recent years, an unusual result for a resort still rebuilding its full destination infrastructure. Its comparatively high snowfall total supports reliable natural conditions.
Saddleback opened in 1960 and built a loyal following through the 1970s under owner-manager John Christie, with the Berry family later investing more than 40 million US dollars in lifts, trails and lodging starting in 2003. The resort closed after the 2014-15 season when its owners put it up for sale without finding a buyer, leaving Saddleback shuttered for five consecutive seasons. On 31 January 2020, Arctaris Impact Fund purchased the resort for 6.5 million US dollars.
Saddleback reopened on 15 December 2020 after five years of closure, with Arctaris committing to invest a total of 38 million US dollars over the following seven years. The turnaround has been striking: Down East Magazine named it Best in Maine for 2022, 2023 and 2024, and SKI Magazine's reader survey ranked it the number one resort in the East for 2025, just five years after its dramatic reopening. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 139 US dollars, with multi-day packages from 200 dollars.
1,660ft
Vertical
68
Runs
440 acres
Skiable
225in
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
68 runs across 440 acres skiable
Saddleback rises above the Rangeley Lakes in western Maine, with 68 runs over 440 acres (178 hectares). The vertical is 1,660 ft (506 m), from a 2,460 ft (750 m) base to a 4,120 ft (1,256 m) summit. The split is 32% beginner, 33% intermediate, 25% advanced and 10% expert. Snowfall averages around 225 inches a year, heavy by New England standards, and the high base helps it last. Three quad chairs carry most skiers, with t-bars and a surface lift serving further terrain across a mountain that feels spacious and quiet.
Every trail takes its name from a fishing fly invented in Rangeley, and the lifts are named after local rivers. The Kennebago Quad serves the upper mountain, including Warden's Worry, Nightmare Glades and the scenic America trail. Tree skiers have Dark Wizard, Intimidator, Casablanca and Woolly Bugger glades, and Tight Line is another named run. A Cupsuptic T-bar reaches more terrain. Saddleback suits intermediates and advanced skiers chasing snow and space, and its remote setting in the Rangeley Lakes region keeps lift lines light and crowds well below those at Maine's larger resorts.
Terrain split
68
runs
68 runs across 4 grades
Beginner22 runs · 32%
Intermediate22 runs · 33%
Advanced17 runs · 25%
Expert7 runs · 10%
Time it right
When to visit Saddleback
The 2025-26 season at Saddleback ran from 12 December 2025 to 19 April 2026, a roughly eighteen-week season supported by average annual snowfall of around 225 inches, a relatively high total for a Maine resort. This snowfall level has been part of the mountain's appeal since its 2020 reopening, supporting reliable natural conditions across its 440 acres. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically brings the most consistent conditions to Saddleback's varied terrain. The resort's remote Rangeley Lakes location keeps crowds meaningfully lighter than Maine's larger resorts, even during peak periods, a quality frequently cited in its recent reader-survey recognition. Weekday visits in particular remain notably quiet.
Since reopening in December 2020, Arctaris Impact Fund's ongoing seven-year, 38 million US dollar investment plan has continued to shape the resort's seasonal offerings and infrastructure. The recognition from Down East Magazine as Best in Maine for three consecutive years and SKI Magazine's number one Eastern resort ranking for 2025 has brought increased visitor interest during the current rebuilding phase. School holiday periods bring the heaviest family visitation.
Specific event programming beyond standard lift operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The five-year closure between 2015 and 2020 remains a significant part of Saddleback's recent history, with the resort's current trajectory framed explicitly around its comeback under Arctaris ownership. Its Indy Pass affiliation continues to draw visiting skiers from beyond its traditional Rangeley Lakes catchment.
Season 2025 - 2026
12 Dec 2025
Opens
19 Apr 2026
Closes
128
Days open
225 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Saddleback
Daily snow reports at Saddleback go back to 2025, 3 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
0 in
Snowiest day
2 Apr 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
0 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Saddleback, and where to stay
Saddleback sits in the Rangeley Lakes region of western Maine, with a base elevation of 2,461 feet and a summit at 4,123 feet across a 1,662-foot vertical drop over 440 acres. This is one of the more remote parts of Maine's ski country, set among lakes and forested mountains well north of the state's coastal population centres.
Rangeley is the nearest town, a small lakeside community offering lodging and dining that has grown alongside the resort's fortunes through its closure and subsequent reopening. The broader Rangeley Lakes region draws visitors for fishing, hiking and lake recreation beyond winter sports, giving the area a four-season identity distinct from Maine's coast. Portland and the state's more populous south lie several hours south by road.
Maine State Route 4 and Route 16 provide the main routes into the Rangeley area from the south and west, with the drive from Portland typically taking around two and a half hours. Winter driving conditions on these rural Maine roads can include snow and ice, and the remoteness of the Rangeley Lakes region means travellers should plan accordingly. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Portland International Jetport is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, roughly two and a half hours south of Rangeley. This distance from the nearest major airport reinforces Saddleback's remote character relative to Maine's more accessible resorts, with most visitors making the drive from Portland or elsewhere in New England rather than flying closer to the mountain itself.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Saddleback, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Saddleback's ski season?
Saddleback's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from December 12 through April 19. That window is roughly 128 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Maine, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Saddleback have?
Saddleback lists about 440 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 68 named runs (178 hectares alongside 440 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Saddleback?
Trail grading at Saddleback breaks down roughly as 32% beginner, 33% intermediate, 25% advanced, 10% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Saddleback have?
Saddleback operates 6 lifts across 3 lift types. The fleet includes 3 quad chairs, 2 t-bars, and 1 surface lift.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Saddleback?
Base elevation at Saddleback is about 2,461 ft (750 m), with the summit around 4,121 ft (1,256 m), giving roughly 1,660 ft (506 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Saddleback get each season?
Saddleback averages about 225 inches (572 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Saddleback accept the Indy?
Saddleback is affiliated with the Indy. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Saddleback lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$49 to US$139, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (multi-day passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Saddleback before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 3 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Saddleback so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Saddleback have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Saddleback. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Saddleback located?
Saddleback sits in Maine, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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