2024 Maine Skiing Trip Reports - BigRock & Quoggy Jo

BigRock Mountain - February 18, 2024

One of the unique views in the State of Maine - Skiing and Windmills

Trip Report by guest contributor Sam Shirley.

Today's ski day was at BigRock ski area in Mars Hill, Maine and it was a chilly bluebird day. Temperatures were in the single digits and teens for most of the day, but the sun made it manageable. Everything was open, except for North Star and most of the advanced terrain to skier's left. Groomed terrain was excellent packed powder, but ungroomed terrain wasn't as great; there were a couple inches of powder on top of a very firm surface. Natural trails had numerous thin spots, some of which were difficult to see under the new snow. Most glades had enough snow to ski, but they varied in snow quality. Crowds were light, and there weren't lines on either chairlift all day.

This was our first time at BigRock, and we had a fun time exploring the mountain. Off of the Apollo Triple, there are a few nice easier cruising runs. From the summit, there are three wide trails, and a variety of narrower trails and glades. Galaxy was one trail which I found especially fun. It's a narrow trail with banked turns which winds through the forest. The steep advanced terrain to skier's left looked very fun, and I definitely plan on returning to ski that part of the mountain. It was nice to be able to ride the Gemini Double before it gets removed this summer. It's Maine's last remaining lattice tower lift, and it will be sad to see it go.

Quoggy Jo - February 17, 2024

Today we skied at an area which has intrigued me for a while, but I had yet to ski at, Quoggy Jo in Presque Isle. Quoggy Jo is a small ski area served by a classic Hall T-bar. There is a nice variety of terrain, mostly with a mild pitch. There are three wide slopes, one of which is a terrain park with a half pipe. There are also four narrow trails through the woods. Only three of the trails have signs showing names and difficulty, but none of the trails are more difficult than intermediate. Besides the slopes and trails, there are also a variety of narrow paths through the woods which can be skied. Best of all, full day lift tickets are only $15!

Every trail was open today, although there were thin spots here and there across the mountain. The snow was very firm, although a relatively coating of new snow helped make it more edgeable. There were a good number of people on the hill today, and the T-bar alternated between ski-on and a wait of a few Tees. It was a cloudy day, with temperatures in the 20s and no wind. Later, a few snow showers passed through the area.

All of the terrain was fun, but I especially enjoyed skiing the narrow trails to skier's right. The T-Bar runs pretty fast, and we were able to get many laps in throughout the course of the day. It's a great community ski area, and I'm glad that I was finally able to get the opportunity to ski at it!