Greenville Junction, Maine — The saga relating to the way forward for one in all New England’s most underrated ski areas continues.
Buddies of the Mountain, which operates Huge Moose Mountain (previously known as Huge Squaw), introduced that the property is again available on the market. Developer Perry Wiliams, who needed to revitalize the property, has formally dropped out, which means that the Maine ski space is once more being supplied on the market by proprietor James Confalone. Buddies of the Mountain is working the ski space whereas all this will get sorted out, as their contract is energetic by December 2027.
That is stunning, given the current information about these builders reviving their efforts to construct the ski resort. The Piscataquis Observer reported in Could that he had re-engaged with the proprietor and was finalizing the contract particulars. This summer time, the developer deliberate to repair up the snowmaking system that was broken by final December’s flood and tear down the buildings stuffed with asbestos.
Huge Moose has had an advanced historical past. First opened in December 1963, It slowly grew its trails, lifts, and vertical drop over the approaching years. Whereas distant, the ski resort grew to become recognized for its beautiful views and slopeside resort. It was ultimately bought to entrepreneur James Confalone in 1995.
In 2004, the higher mountain chairlift failed, leading to 4 accidents. As well as, the resort closed within the 2000s and has fallen into disrepair. The higher mountain has remained with out lift-serviced snowboarding since, though the Buddies have introduced cat snowboarding operations up there for the previous two winters. Quite than fixing the problems, Confalone allegedly illegally harvested timber to repay tens of millions in loans. This unlawful timber harvesting and failure to take care of the property brought about a lawsuit from the state of Maine, which might see Confalone pay greater than $4.5 million in damages. As well as, James Confalone has refused to alter the identify of the mountain, regardless of many of the nation now deeming the phrase squaw as offensive. Nevertheless, the non-profit has begun referring to the ski space as Huge Moose.
After being closed for a number of winters, Confalone leased the decrease slopes to the non-profit Buddies of the Mountain in 2012. They’ve finished nice work revitalizing the mountain, spending $200k final offseason to renovate the decrease mountain chairlift, renovate the snowmaking pumphouse, and begin a cat-skiing operation.
For years, developer Perry Williams has sought to revitalize the ski resort. A few of the proposals embody a brand new resort, a base lodge/convention heart, summer time points of interest, eating choices, and a removable chairlift to the summit. Whereas they bought the approvals from the state of Maine, they by no means might finalize the contract with Confalone. The event workforce dropped the plans in late 2022. Perry Williams just lately tried to revive these efforts, however he failed once more.
The asking worth is round $5 million, relying on whether or not the customer acquires further improvement acreage across the mountain. In the event you’re , please electronic mail Skibigmoose@gmail.com. If you wish to help the non-profit, click on right here to donate to the Buddies of the Mountain.
Picture Credit: Buddies of the Mountain, North Woods Aerial
