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The double chairlift (2015)
Hermon Mountain Ski Area
Hermon, Maine
Status: Open
First Season:1960s
Vertical Drop:350 feet
Standing Lifts:1 double, surface lifts
Past Lifts:Surface lifts
Left: The double chairlift (2015)
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
5/27/2022: Hermon Mountain For Sale
12/26/2016: Maine Lift Ticket Prices Up 9%
SkiNewEngland.net Profile
Located just west of Bangor, Maine, Hermon Mountain has been serving local (and in many cases due to its proximity to the airport, international) skiers for over half a century.

Rope Tow Years

Hermon Mountain likely dates back to 1964, when Albert Jackson acquired a tract of land. A native of Skowhegan, Jackson had served as an electronic technician's mate in the Navy during World War II, eventually working for the New England Telephone Company. In June, a small advertisement appeared the Bangor Daily News announcing the opening of Hermon Mountain Ski Area on Jackson Beach Road.

Featuring a rope tow, a headed lodge, and a ski rental shop, Hermon Mountain likely debuted just before Christmas of 1964. Jackson's son Bernard took on a management role. Looking to maximize skiing revenue, floodlights were installed in time to offer night skiing in early March.

Early Growth

Hermon in the 1960s
Hermon in the 1960s

Hermon Mountain moved forward for the 1966-67 season by installing a 2,000 foot long Poma T-Bar. Around this time, Hermon High School principal Harold Brown directed the ski school, helping to launch area school group programs.

A new lodge was constructed for the 1967-68 season. During that season, Hermon hosted the "Little Olympics" as part of Bangor's 10-day Paul Bunyan Winter Carnival. A snowmaking system of some sort was in use at this point, as it was leveraged when rain wiped out the area's base in February.

A new trail may have been added for the 1968-69 season.

Harvey Packard served as ski school director in the late 1960s, splitting his time between Hermon and Big Squaw.

The 1970s

Hermon in the 1970s
Hermon in the 1970s

The 1969-70 season was a struggle at times, as poor weather forced Hermon to miss some key periods. Of the 50 days the area operated, 40 were on man-made surfaces.

A new expert trail "which will challenge the ability of any skier" was added adjacent to the T-Bar for the 1970-71 season, while snowmaking was expanded to cover beginner terrain.

Night skiing was added to an intermediate trail fro the 1971-72 season.

A second T-Bar was added in 1972, serving novice terrain. In conjunction with the expansion, Albert Jackson transferred the ski area property to Mt. Hermon Ski Area, Inc. By the time 1974-75 started, Hermon was advertising snowmaking and lights on nearly all of its terrain.

Hermon in the 1970s
Hermon in the 1970s

On November 10, 1976, Jackson's Mt. Hermon Ski Area sold the property to Hermon Mountain Ski Area, a company owned by a young couple named Terry and Pamela Duran. A Vietnam veteran, Terry operated a sawdust hauling company.

The Durans invested in a $120,000 base lodge expansion for the 1978-79 season, obtaining a liquor license for a new lounge. Despite the investment, business dropped by 50% due to bad weather.

The 1980s

The rough 1979-80 winter was another struggle, with a photo of bare slopes hitting the Bangor Daily Sun in mid-January. An early March ad pronounced "we've got snow!"

Hard times continued in 1980-81, when the base lodge burned to the ground on January 3, 1981. Firefighters battled in extreme cold during the early morning hours, but were unable to save the building. Beyond the blow of losing the minimally-insured structure, Duran lamented the loss of the rental ski fleet, telling the Bangor Daily Sun, "They're all gone. For an area like ours, it's going to be tough to replace." An adjacent garage likely served as a makeshift lodge for the remainder of the season.

The 1981-82 season had a better start, with Mother Nature permitting Christmas Week operations for the first time since 1977.

An SMI snowgun at Hermon in the mid 1980s
An SMI snowgun at Hermon in the mid 1980s

In February 1984, a group of area attorneys announced the acquisition of Hermon Mountain. Organized as Hermon Slope, Winfred Stevens, Paul Chaiken, David King, Paul Rudman, Phil Buckley, and Mike Friedman acquired the area from the Durans on March 12, 1984. At least two of the owners had never even skied before, let alone operated a ski area. Friedman told the Bangor Daily News that "Firstly, the money was right. The mountain had not been used much and the previous owner ran a restaurant and didn't have much time for it. Secondly, everybody talked about how nice it used to be. It was a nice place to go. We thought we could turn it into a nice area."

In October, the group named Bernard Jackson and his wife Candi co-managers of the ski area.

During the summer of 1985, the town of Hermon applied for a grant to provide a $48,000 loan to Hermon Mountain for capital equipment. The snowmaking system was upgraded that off-season, as well as the base lodge. Owner Mike Friedman justified the total $100,000 investment in snowmaking because of a "history of not having much snow in the past four or five years." James Hancock served as general manager for the 1985-86 season, which saw 74 days of operations. Hermon also hosted its first annual Winter Carnival.

Further snowmaking improvements were made for the 1986-87 season. Despite a slow start with only one trail open after Christmas, Hermon had posted a record 600 skiers in one day following an early January snow storm. Its second annual Winter Carnival was a three-day event that included races, contests, a dance, and a costume parade

Following the 1986-87 season, Hermon Mountain was placed on the market, listed as "for sale as a going enterprise" which consisted of "75 acres with development potential." The two expert trails were widened for the 1987-88 season. The 1988-89 season saw Hermon offering snowboard instruction.

New Hermon Mountain

The base area (2015)
The base area (2015)

Bill and Marlene Whitcomb formed New Hermon Mountain, Inc. in late 1988, formally acquiring the ski area on November 21, 1989. Whitcomb, a former ski patrol director, announced a three-phase plan which consisted of more snowmaking, a chairlift, and a base lodge expansion. The Whitcombs quickly made positive traction in the community by adding visual impaired ski programs, Maine Army National Guard training, and expanded race programs. The area also hosted mountain bike races during the summer.

Hermon Mountain founder Albert Jackson passed away on June 25, 1994 at the age of 68.

After a decade of building up New Hermon Mountain, the Whitcombs installed a refurbished double chairlift for the 1998-99 season.

Aging night skiing lights were replaced for the 2001-2002, while the snowmaking electrical system was improved. A tubing operation was added for the 2002-2003 season, diversifying winter activities.

A large scale lodge expansion was conducted for the 2005-2006 season.

NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month Average Percent of Terrain Open
January40%    (3 reports)40 Open
February85%    (1 report)85 Open
March69%    (5 reports)69 Open
Recent Conditions Reports
Mar. 13, 2024 by newenglandskier13
Corn, Frozen Granular
Mar. 4, 2023 by newenglandskier13
Powder, Powder
Mar. 11, 2022 by newenglandskier13
Spring Snow, Spring Snow
Feb. 11, 2022 by newenglandskier13
Spring Snow, Spring Snow
Jan. 12, 2022 by newenglandskier13
Packed Powder, Frozen Granular
Hermon Mountain Ski Area on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com


Image Gallery
November 19, 1981 Bangor Daily NewsJanuary 30, 1987 Bangor Daily NewsHermon Mountain Aerial, 1991 vs. 2014
View All Images in Hermon Mountain Ski Area Image Gallery


Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
Standing Lifts
Installed
The Hermon Double Chair circa the 2010s
Double Chair
Stadeli
Chairlift - Double - Fixed
1998-99
The T-Bar (left of the double chairlift) (2014)
East Side T-Bar
Poma
T-Bar
1966-67

Past Lifts
Seasons
A cross arm/sheave in the woods (2015)
West Side T-Bar
Heron-Poma
T-Bar
1972-73
-


Maps
2022-23 Hermon Mountain Trail Map
1974-75 Hermon Mountain Trail Map2006-07 Hermon Trail Map2007-08 Hermon Trail Map2011-12 Hermon Trail Map2011-12 Hermon Mountain Trail Map2012-13 Hermon Trail Map
View All Hermon Mountain Ski Area Trail Maps

Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
2020s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2023-24$55.002023-24 Ticket Price Graph$530.002023-24 Season Pass Price Graph9.6 daysDecember 23March 132023-24 Skier Visit Graph
2022-23$55.002022-23 Ticket Price Graph$530.002022-23 Season Pass Price Graph9.6 daysDecember 30March 262022-23 Skier Visit Graph
2021-22$55.002021-22 Ticket Price Graph$520.002021-22 Season Pass Price Graph9.5 daysDecember 27March 202021-22 Skier Visit Graph
2020-212020-21 Ticket Price Graph2020-21 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 28March 212020-21 Skier Visit Graph
2019-20$35.002019-20 Ticket Price Graph$385.002019-20 Season Pass Price Graph11.0 daysDecember 19March 152019-20 Skier Visit Graph
2010s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2018-19$32.002018-19 Ticket Price Graph$350.002018-19 Season Pass Price Graph10.9 daysDecember 15March 312018-19 Skier Visit Graph
2017-18$32.002017-18 Ticket Price Graph$350.002017-18 Season Pass Price Graph10.9 daysDecember 21March 312017-18 Skier Visit Graph
2016-17$27.002016-17 Ticket Price Graph$275.002016-17 Season Pass Price Graph10.2 daysDecember 17March 262016-17 Skier Visit Graph
2015-16$27.002015-16 Ticket Price Graph$275.002015-16 Season Pass Price Graph10.2 daysDecember 26March 132015-16 Skier Visit Graph
2014-15$27.002014-15 Ticket Price Graph$275.002014-15 Season Pass Price Graph10.2 daysDecember 21March 292014-15 Skier Visit Graph
2013-14$27.002013-14 Ticket Price Graph$275.002013-14 Season Pass Price Graph10.2 daysDecember 13March 292013-14 Skier Visit Graph
2012-13$25.002012-13 Ticket Price Graph$275.002012-13 Season Pass Price Graph11.0 days2012-13 Skier Visit Graph
2011-12$25.002011-12 Ticket Price Graph$275.002011-12 Season Pass Price Graph11.0 daysDecember 23March 172011-12 Skier Visit Graph
2009-102009-10 Ticket Price Graph$275.002009-10 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 132009-10 Skier Visit Graph
2000s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
2008-09$25.002008-09 Ticket Price Graph$275.002008-09 Season Pass Price Graph11.0 daysMarch 222008-09 Skier Visit Graph
2007-08$20.002007-08 Ticket Price Graph$255.002007-08 Season Pass Price Graph12.8 days2007-08 Skier Visit Graph
2006-07$20.002006-07 Ticket Price Graph$255.002006-07 Season Pass Price Graph12.8 days2006-07 Skier Visit Graph
2004-05$20.002004-05 Ticket Price Graph2004-05 Season Pass Price Graph2004-05 Skier Visit Graph
1990s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1997-981997-98 Ticket Price Graph1997-98 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 51997-98 Skier Visit Graph
1996-971996-97 Ticket Price Graph1996-97 Season Pass Price GraphMarch 301996-97 Skier Visit Graph
1995-961995-96 Ticket Price Graph1995-96 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 21995-96 Skier Visit Graph
1994-951994-95 Ticket Price Graph1994-95 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 161994-95 Skier Visit Graph
1992-931992-93 Ticket Price Graph1992-93 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 111992-93 Skier Visit Graph
1991-92$17.001991-92 Ticket Price Graph1991-92 Season Pass Price Graph1991-92 Skier Visit Graph
1990-911990-91 Ticket Price Graph1990-91 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 151990-91 Skier Visit Graph
1989-90$15.001989-90 Ticket Price Graph1989-90 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 11989-90 Skier Visit Graph
1980s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1987-881987-88 Ticket Price Graph$235.001987-88 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 19March 201987-88 Skier Visit Graph
1986-87$13.001986-87 Ticket Price Graph$200.001986-87 Season Pass Price Graph15.4 daysDecember 231986-87 Skier Visit Graph
1985-86$11.001985-86 Ticket Price Graph1985-86 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 101985-86 Skier Visit Graph
1984-851984-85 Ticket Price Graph1984-85 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 25February 101984-85 Skier Visit Graph
1981-821981-82 Ticket Price Graph1981-82 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 171981-82 Skier Visit Graph
1970s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1977-781977-78 Ticket Price Graph1977-78 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 171977-78 Skier Visit Graph
1971-721971-72 Ticket Price Graph1971-72 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 41971-72 Skier Visit Graph
1970-711970-71 Ticket Price Graph$80.001970-71 Season Pass Price Graph1970-71 Skier Visit Graph
1969-70$3.501969-70 Ticket Price Graph1969-70 Season Pass Price GraphDecember 20March 211969-70 Skier Visit Graph
1960s Ticket Price Season Pass Price
Pass Payback
Opening Day
Closing Day
Skier Visits
1964-65$2.001964-65 Ticket Price Graph$30.001964-65 Season Pass Price Graph15.0 days1964-65 Skier Visit Graph


Visitor Memories
"Our oldest daughter learned to ski here when se was 4, 1985. What a great family area. Just a T-bar in those days but that was plenty. We have a lot of great memories from Hermon Mountain. "
Peter Provencher, May. 27, 2022
"I was the (Kitchen Lady) (Cook) still get called that after all those years later.you are in my back yard and still enjoy watching you make snow after all theses years."
Cindy Boudreau, Feb. 6, 2017
"I was a member of the National Ski patrol back in the 1960's working at this ski area while stationed at Dow AFB. Great memories of this little mountain."
Richard Davis, Nov. 20, 2016
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External Links
  • Hermon Mountain - official site
  • Hermon Mountain Ski Area - SmallSkiAreas.com
  • Last updated: July 12, 2022

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