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Lake Parlin, ME A medium sized lost ski area in northern Maine whose isolation provided problematic for its success.
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Lake Parlin, ME A medium sized lost ski area in northern Maine whose isolation provided problematic for its success.
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| Enchanted Mountain Ski Area, located in Lake Parlin, Maine (about 12 miles south of Jackman), was a medium sized ski area that operated from 1966 to about 1974. The area was designed to be the Switzerland of Maine, an isolated alpine area with great views and skiing. According to a website entitled "Northwestern Wilderness of Maine", the first season a T-bar was constructed above the base lodge, with a poma lift serving the beginner area below the lodge. The T-bar served two trails that first season. |
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Shortly
afterwards, a Poma double chair was constructed to the summit. This was
likely done in 1967. One wide open slope was located underneath the
chairlift, with 5-6 narrower, twistier trails fanning out from the top.
These trails were quite interesting and not the wide boulevards of
today. The vertical drop was about 900 to maybe 1000', but brochures and guidebooks exaggerated this to as much as 1800'! |
| Near the top of the Poma double chair. Note the long access road with no other buildings on it! |
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Unloading off the top of the chairlift. |
| A smattering of images from the brochure. |
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Unfortunately, competition from other developing resorts such as Sugarloaf and Saddleback, along with the mountain's isolation, led to its demise in the mid 70's. The area was allowed to grow in, and the lodge was torn down. Today, you can hike the mountain as there is a trail to the summit. The area is located on Enchanted Mtn Road off of Route 101.
| Year | Lifts | Trails | Other Information | Source |
| Feb, 1966 | Unknown | Unknown | Mountain Opens | First Tracks by Glenn Parkinson |
| 1968 | 4500' Double Chairlift, 1000' T-bar, 500' Poma | 6 Trails (Novice Through Expert), 2 Slopes | Base Elevation: 2100'. Vertical Drop: 1800'. East and NE Exposure. Ski School. $5.50 Adult rate. Season rates available. Operates Daily. | Northeast Ski Guide |
| 1971 | 4200' Double Chair, 1200' T-bar, 1000' Poma | 5 Trails and 2 open Slopes | Ski school, shop, lodge, snack bar, nursery, ski patrol | Maine Skiing Guide |
| 1974 | Same | 8 trails | Base elevation: 2200'. Vertical drop: 1200'. NE Exposure. Operates daily, shop, restaurant, snack bar, rentals, warming huts, parking for 600 cars. No snowmaking or night skiing. $5.00 adult/$3.50 junior weekday, $6.00 adults, $4.50 juniors weekend. Season Pass: $95.00 adult, $45.00 junior. | Ski Guide to the Northeast |
| This fairly recent Terraserver image shows that while many of the trails have grown in, they are still quite visible. |
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If you remember this area and have more information, please let us know.
