Ski glades coming to Maine's Closed Bald Mountain Ski Area

Nestled between the tranquil waters of Rangeley and Mooselookmeguntic Lakes, Bald Mountain is preparing to breathe new life into its forgotten ski slopes.

The High Peaks Alliance, in partnership with the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) and the Granite Backcountry Alliance (GBA), has spearheaded a project to establish the first publicly maintained, free backcountry ski glades in Maine's High Peaks Region.

The initiative marks a full-circle moment for Bald Mountain, reviving a local ski heritage that lay dormant for decades while answering the growing regional demand for human-powered outdoor recreation.

Bald Mountain operated from January 1960 to around 1972. It started with an 800-foot rope tow and a small lodge, then added a 2,300-foot T-bar giving it a 1,200-foot vertical drop.

The resort closed due to its remote location and competition from nearby Saddleback Mountain. The old lift line and remnants remain visible along hiking paths.

Echoes of a 1960s Rope Tow

To casual summer hikers climbing to Bald Mountain's summit observation tower, the peak is known for its panoramic 360-degree views of the Rangeley Lakes region. But buried under the underbrush lies a rich winter history: during the 1960s, Bald Mountain operated as a modest community ski hill, complete with a T-bar lift.

Though the commercial ski operation shuttered decades ago, dedicated "earn-your-turns" locals never truly abandoned the mountain. Skinning up old overgrown trails and navigating dense hardwood thickets remained a worst-kept secret among Western Maine backcountry enthusiasts.

Now, through official conservation backing, that historic usage is being formalized into a sustainable, community-run winter sports destination.

What Are Ski Glades?

Unlike commercial resort trails that clear-cut wide swaths of mountain forest, ski glades rely on targeted, ecological management.

• Selective Thinning: Volunteers and certified sawyers clear out dense undergrowth, saplings, and deadwood, creating open descent corridors without removing mature canopy trees.

• Low Impact: The forest structure remains intact, preserving wildlife habitats and soil stability while holding natural snowfall off the canopy floor.

• Human-Powered Access: The glades require no lifts, electricity, or pass fees. Skiers skin up using existing uphill hiking infrastructure and descend through the thinned hardwoods.

Because Bald Mountain already possesses two established trailheads, well-marked hiking routes, and easy emergency access points off Bald Mountain Road, it satisfied every practical requirement for public land conversion.

A Growing Trend in Maine’s Outdoor Economy

The project represents a milestone for public land management in the state. The Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands approved the Bald Mountain initiative as its first-ever glades project on BPL public reserved lands.

As lift tickets at major resorts push past triple digits, human-powered backcountry skiing has exploded across New England. Organizations like the Granite Backcountry Alliance have spearheaded glade projects across New Hampshire and Maine, transforming local forests into winter hubs that boost surrounding rural economies—from nearby lodges like Bald Mountain Camps to local shops in Oquossoc Village.

Work on the Bald Mountain glades is slated to begin with volunteer sawyer certification sessions and community work weekends, opening a new chapter of free, public backcountry access in Western Maine.