Nestled high in the Moosehead Lake region, Big Moose Mountain rises 2000 feet over Maine's largest body of water. Surrounded by beauty, this mountain is no exception. Big Moose mountain provides views that span across the state of Maine, from the rugged Bigelow range, to the state’s highest peak, Mt. Katahdin. From the top of the summit several mountains can be seen. Across Lily Bay, Baker Mountain rises 3,520 feet, with its neighbors Lily Bay Mountain and Number Four Mountain to the left. Further up the lake, the Spencer mountains emerge east of Kineo Mountain. To the west the four sharp peaks of the Bigelow range dominate the horizon, with Sugarloaf Mountain behind. The resort’s slogan, “Ski the view,” makes perfect sense because the vistas are truly breathtaking.
Our locally run, 501c(3) non profit ski area serves citizens and visitors to Maine’s Piscataquis County. Big Moose Mountain is located 5 miles north of Greenville overlooking magnificent Moosehead Lake.
Facing northeast not only provides us with the best views in the East, our natural snowpack is well preserved. We offer lift service on a triple chair to the lower mountain and a beginner conveyor lift for our newest skiers. Nordic skiers will find a 9K figure 8 system. Back country is open for uphill adventures too.
The Early Years as Squaw Mountain
As the skiing boom hit Maine, the Moosehead Lake region was not to be left behind. After a few years of fundraising, the Squaw Mountain Corporation decided to begin construction of a small ski area on the northern face of Squaw Mountain in 1963. Dedicated by Governor John Reed on December 28, Squaw debuted with 4 trails served by a half mile long, 600 vertical foot T-Bar and a rope tow. Shortly after opening, Squaw Mountain Corporation director Harry Sanders III declared the area had exceeded expectations and that an expansion would be forthcoming.
For its sophomore season, Squaw added a 243 vertical foot novice T-Bar, serving an additional new trail. After flying under the radar for a few years, the ski area was dramatically expanded in 1967 with the installation of a double chairlift on the upper mountain. The new lift increased Squaw's vertical drop by about 1,100 feet to 1,700 feet, instantly making it the second largest ski area in the state by some metrics. Five miles of new trails were constructed, amounting to 41 acres of additional terrain.
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Two new trails were cut for the 1969-70 season with equity provided by Scott Paper Company, named East Branch of the Penobscot and Saint Croix.
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Changes in Ownership and Management
The Scott Paper Company purchased the ski area in 1970 with the intention of developing it into a wilderness resort. The new Squaw Mountain Lodge was dedicated in July by Governor Kenneth Curtis, featuring nearly five dozen rooms and an indoor pool. Scott's first investment in the ski area took place starting that same off-season with the installation of top to bottom snowmaking on the Penobscot Trail and lower T-Bar area.
After losing $250,000 in 1973-74, Scott Paper Company decided to get out of the ski business. Not finding a suitable buyer, the Scott moved to paid off $1.1 million in Maine Guarantee Authority debt and unload the ski area. In the fall of 1974, the Scott Paper Company gave the 2,300 acre Squaw Mountain ski resort to the State of Maine. At the time of the transfer, the resort was valued at $3.5 million.
Aside from the construction of a small beginner slope and lift, subsequent years did not see much in way of changes to the alpine ski area, as the lack of ability to develop real estate infringed upon revenue generation possibilities.
Circa 1980, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Recreation decided Squaw Mountain should be sold. Five years later, Maine accepted bids, choosing two finalists. Lander was one of those finalists, proposing to invest $5 million over the next decade. Wallem's bid was contingent upon selling a business in Massachusetts, which did not occur in time, thus ending the deal. In the fall of 1986, the State of Maine sold the ski area to The Big Squaw Mountain Corp. for $300,000. The Big Squaw Mountain Corp. The area was sold to a group led by Big Squaw Mountain Corp. President James Clair Sr. at the bankruptcy auction in August of 1990. Big Squaw was subsequently renamed Moosehead Resort and Ski Area.
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Prior to the 1991-92 season, the Kimballs were awarded a long term lease of the ski area. In January of 1995, James Confalone purchased a lease of the ski area.
Challenges and Revival Efforts
On March 7, 2004, a chair grip on the upper mountain double chairlift failed, resulting in four injuries. As a result, lift served skiing on the upper mountain ceased. In August of 2010, Confalone offered Piscataquis County a $1 per year, 30 year lease on the ski area. The county did not accept the offer.
The ski area made headlines again in 2012, when the Maine Land Use Planning Commission claimed Confalone had illegally harvested timber. Starting in 2012, a group named The Friends of Squaw Mountain procured a $1 per year lease from Confalone and worked to reopen the ski area with many donations and volunteer labor. After sitting idle for two seasons, Big Squaw reopened with its triple chairlift on February 10, 2013.
Word emerged in early 2017 that The Friends of Squaw organization was debt free and that a preliminary study had been done for the replacement of the upper mountain lift with a new fixed grip quad.
Recent Events
- Dec. 20, 2024: Fundraiser Announced to Acquire Big Moose Mountain
- Dec. 20, 2023: Storm Destroys Big Squaw's Snowmaking Pond
- Oct. 21, 2023: Upper Mountain at Big Squaw to Reopen with Snowcat Service
- Nov. 18, 2022: Moosehead Lake Ski Resort Redevelopment Cancelled
- Mar. 12, 2022: Moosehead Lake Ski Resort Redevelopment Facing Further Delays
- Dec. 17, 2021: Moosehead Lake Ski Resort Redevelopment Postponed to 2023
- Dec. 10, 2021: Balsams Announces New Partner
- Nov. 15, 2021: Ski Areas on the Bubble
- Apr. 21, 2021: State and County Approve Moosehead Lake Ski Resort Financing
- Feb. Lift Issue Shuts Down Big Squaw
Today
Today, Big Moose Mountain is run by a dedicated team:
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- Executive Director: Amy Lane
- President: Rodney Folsom Sr
- Vice President: Kevin Springer
- Treasurer: Kathleen Moneghan
- Secretary: Allison Economy
- Director: Margarita Contreri
The mountain also has a rich history as well. It is the home of the nation’s first fire tower, erected in 1905.
Many might be unfamiliar with Big Moose mountain, because before the year 2000 the mountain was known as Big Squaw. The state felt the previous name was offensive to the Native American population, and decided to make the change. However the Ski resort which encompasses a portion of the mountain still bears the name Squaw.
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass.
Benjamin Fagan, Jun. 14, 2023"The 22-23 Season was a great success. 23-24 is shaping up to be just as wonderful. "