Saddleback Mountain, ME, Closes For The Season

Saddleback has an interesting history. The resort did not open for the 2015-16 winter season due to a lack of funds, and skiers did not know when--if ever--the mountain would reopen.

Saddleback was a community favorite, and being in Maine, one of the few larger ski resorts in the state (the others being Sunday River and Sugarloaf). 

I remember skiing Saddleback a handful of times as a kid, but shortly after starting high school, all of the kids in my grade whose home mountain was Saddleback converted to Sunday River or Sugarloaf. It was strange, because we all knew people who had just bought houses there, or used to go there on the weekends, and now they couldn't use the lifts. 

However, to everyone's great joy, the resort was in fact able to reopen five years later due to initial efforts from the non-profit The Saddleback Mountain Foundation, which was made up of community businesses and pass-holders of the resort who wanted to keep the ski resort operational despite the challenges. 

The deal was estimated to cost $6 million in total, $2.2 million cash at closing along with an owner financed loan by the Berry’s for the remaining $3.8 million.

At the end of the day, though, Arctaris, a Boston-based investment firm, ended up purchasing the resort from Bill and Irene Berry. Arctaris specializes in investing in undercapitalized opportunities in underserved communities through its Impact Fund, promoting and providing positive social, environmental, and economic change.

Even better, Arctaris not only purchased the ski resort, but invested heavily in the resort, as well. The first year owning the resort, Arctaris invested $18 million with an investment goal of $38 million.

Despite the rollercoaster of highs and lows for Saddleback Mountain, it had a great season this time around, and plans to open again next season. 

Officials at Saddleback reported that by the numbers, the 2023-24 season saw 223 inches of snowfall. See below. 

Saddleback's history is truly a feel-good reminder that when communities come together and rally for what's important, change is possible.

Not just any kind of change... lasting change.

Here's to a great 2023-24 season, and to an even better 2024-25 season.