Big Moose Mountain - February 10, 2024
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| View of Moosehead Lake Region from Big Moose Mountain |
Trip Report by guest contributor Sam Shirley.
Today, I finally got the chance to go snowcat skiing for the first time at Big Moose Mountain in Greenville, Maine! It was a very warm and sunny day of spring-like skiing on mashed potato snow. The warm temperatures have taken a toll on the snowpack, and there are thin spots on most trails across the mountain. Everything was open, except for Alley Way, Exterminator, and Saint John. The mountain was the busiest that I've ever seen it, and there was even a lift line of a minute or two for much of the day at the triple! Their new trail, called Leadbetter was open today, and I took a few runs down it. It's a narrow trail through the woods which is a fun alternative to Lower Fitzgerald and the end of Penobscot.
The highlight of our day was taking the snowcat up to the summit of the mountain for a couple of runs. The 13 passenger snowcat picks skiers up from the old snowmaking valve house on Penobscot (or the base of the old handle tow for the 3:00 run) for the ride up Penobscot to the top of the old double. After the scenic ride up, you are free to ski down whichever trail you would like down to the base lodge, 1,750 vertical feet below. The views at and around the summit are spectacular, and it's worth taking in the scenery for a while before heading down. There is also a small warming hut which was recently installed at the summit.
For our first run down, we decided to ski East Branch. This narrow and winding intermediate trail heads deep into the forest and away from the other trails. It dips and flows its way down the mountain, with scenic views all the while. It really is the absolute perfect cruising trail. Later, I took the last snowcat ride of the day at 3:00. This time, I skied Moose River, which is a black diamond. It's a steeper and wider trail which flows down the natural fall line of the mountain. It's another outstandingly well designed trail, and was very fun to ski, even with the less than ideal snowpack.
It's great that the summit is accessible again, and that the upper mountain trails have been reclaimed. The snowcat skiing is a rather unique offering for New England, and it seems to be quite popular. It's also great to see how busy the mountain was and how much support it is receiving. I noticed that every chair on the triple, except two, have sponsorship banners this year. Now all they need is more snow!
Editors Note: This mountain is run by the volunteer group Friends of the Mountain. Keep an eye on their Facebook page and website for operating updates and ways you can help support this hard working organization that is keeping the ski area running!
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