|
| Baker Mountain Ski Area |
| Bingham, Maine |
| Status: |
Open
|
| First Season: | 1930s |
| Vertical Drop: | 460 feet |
| Standing Lifts: | Surface lift |
| Past Lifts: | Surface lifts |
| Left: The Main Trail in 2018 |
| Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
|
 |
|
Located just off US 201 north of Bingham and Moscow, Maine, Baker Mountain is one of the oldest ski areas in New England.
Roots in the 1930s
The wheels from the Baker Mountain rope tow (2018) |
The roots of Baker Mountain likely date back to 1937 or 1938, when avid skiers Allen Quimby Jr. and Langdon Quimby logged the slopes of Pierce Hill, land they leased from Central Maine Power Company for their Allen Quimby Veneer Company. Meanwhile, the Bingham Ski Club was holding meetings at least as far back as the spring of 1938.
Baker Mountain was billed in regional newspapers as a new attraction for the 1939-40 season with two rope tows planned (950 feet and 550 feet, the latter of which was likely never constructed), serving a 1,000 foot long slope. In addition, the Baker Mountain Trail was cut from the top of the mountain to the slope, reportedly dropping 555 vertical feet over the course of a mile. A cabin was reportedly built at the top of the slope. Employees of the Quimbys' veneer mill helped to construct a ski area. The Baker name was reportedly derived from an "eccentric man" who "lived in a cave on the mountain" according to the Waterville Morning Sentinel.
Adequate snowpack finally arrived in late January, allowing for the rope tow to debut on January 28, 1940 with 150 skiers, 50 of which were Farmington-Franklin County Ski Club members who had chartered buses. Conditions were described as "ten inches of base snow with a minimum of four inches of powder snow and a light breakable crust" which made the skiing "extremely fast."
In mid-February, Baker Mountain may have hosted the Bingham High School Winter Carnival ski events, with skating reportedly held at nearby Wyman Lake.
The original Baker Mountain rope tow was reportedly powered by a Model T engine. Underpowered, it was replaced with a Buick as soon as one year later. Not long thereafter, the tow was lengthened and the motor replaced with a Railton. The Railton was later replaced with an industrial engine.
World War II
The area hosted winter carnivals in February 1941 and 1942, however it is not known if the slopes were used in 1943 or 1944 due to World War II. Baker hosted the Bingham High School Winter Carnival again in February 1945.
A snow-free Baker Mountain in January 1949 |
Bulldozer work was conducted on the main slope for the 1948-49 season, while cabins were reportedly constructed at the top and bottom of the area. Baker Mountain once again had a late start to its season, as the slope was bare in mid-January. The Bingham High School Winter Carnival had to be postponed by a week in February due to "hard crusty surface snow" which posed "danger to the young skiers."
The area faced a similar snow drought in 1949-50, as there was inadequate snow until a January 25 storm. Langdon Quimby's wife organized successful girl scout outings at the area, drawing troops from Skowhegan.
A beginner rope tow was added for the 1950-51 season, "so that even the smallest tots who are able to go down hill on a pair of skis will find the way back safe and easy." A new ski lodge was also reportedly constructed.
The 1951-52 season featured a snowy February, drawing a crowd of 150 from as far away as Connecticut after a late-month blizzard. The Waterville Morning Sentinel reported that "virtually the entire town donned skis and took to the hills."
The 1953-54 season reportedly had some decent days in January, however a subsequent lack of snow resulted in the Bingham Winter Carnival being cancelled.
A January 1955 Baker Mountain advertisement |
William Melcher and Douglas Gordon took over operation of the area from Quimby for the 1954-55 season, with the land now reportedly owned by S.D. Warren Company. Only one rope tow was reported in operation at this point. The season got underway at the end of January.
The Bingham Lions Club made plans to operate Baker Mountain for the 1955-56 season. The opening was delayed due to a lack of snow and the need for a new rope. The season likely got underway in early February.
The Baker Mountain Ski Club was formed in December 1957 to sponsor ski meets and dances and possibly operate the tow. Keith Davis served as the first president and William Melcher as secretary and treasurer.
Baker Mountain in 1959 |
As the 1958-59 season neared, the future of Baker Mountain appeared to be in jeopardy. A call was put out for those interested in continuing the operation of the ski area in December, with a group soon emerging to raise money to repair the broken rope tow. Arthur Gamache served as project chair. The non-profit Baker Mountain Ski Tow Club was formed in early 1959, with Gerard Guay elected as president, William Melcher vice president, Arthur Gamache treasurer, and multiple members of the Quimby family serving on the board of directors. Fundraising was successful, allowing the group to install a new rope and open the area in mid-February with two feet of base. Plans were announced for potentially adding night skiing, a toboggan run, and a skating rink.
The local girl scouts took an active role in the ski area for the 1959-60 season, sewing ski patrol vests and operating the lunch stand at the base lodge.
T-Bar Years
The Sluice trail (2018) |
After years of operating as a small rope tow area, a major investment was made in the area in 1968. In April 1968, the original lodge was burned to the ground to make way for a new base lodge. Meanwhile, a new 2,170 foot long Poma T-Bar was installed, increasing the area's vertical drop to 430 feet. In addition, two new trails were cut. The new lift and lodge were dedicated on February 2, 1969.
While the improved ski area enjoyed popularity, subsequent demographic shifts and the growth of other ski areas has resulted in Baker Mountain becoming a fairly low key, local operation in recent decades. The Baker Mountain Ski Tow Club continues to operate Baker Mountain ski area to this day, thanks in large part to volunteers, grants, and donations.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
| Month |
Average Percent of Terrain Open |
| January | 100% (1 report) |  | | February | 100% (6 reports) | |
|
| Recent Conditions Reports |
 | Feb. 26, 2023 by newenglandskier13
Packed Powder, Powder |
| Feb. 11, 2023 by newenglandskier13
Frozen Granular, Frozen Granular |
| Feb. 24, 2019 by brianna
Powder, Packed Powder |
| Feb. 24, 2019 by rocket21
Powder, Packed Powder |
| Jan. 21, 2019 by newenglandskier13
Packed Powder, Powder |
|
|
| Baker Mountain Ski Area on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com |
Image Gallery
Lifts
Click on lift name for information and photos
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 | $15.00 | | $140.00 | | 9.3 days | January 20 | February 4 | | | | | 2022-23 | $15.00 | | $140.00 | | 9.3 days | January 28 | March 19 | | | | | 2021-22 | $15.00 | | $125.00 | | 8.3 days | January 23 | | | | | | 2020-21 | | | | | | February 6 | March 14 | | | | | 2019-20 | $15.00 | | $125.00 | | 8.3 days | February 15 | March 8 | | | |
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $12.00 | | $100.00 | | 8.3 days | January 12 | March 30 | 1,067 | | | | 2017-18 | $12.00 | | $100.00 | | 8.3 days | January 7 | March 25 | | | | | 2016-17 | | | | | | December 31 | March 26 | | | | | 2014-15 | | | | | | January 31 | March 22 | | | | | 2013-14 | | | | | | December 29 | March 29 | | | | | 2012-13 | | | | | | December 29 | | | | | | 2011-12 | | | | | | January 21 | | | | |
| 1950s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1958-59 | | | | | | February 14 | | | | | | 1955-56 | | | | | | February 11 | | | | | | 1954-55 | | | | | | January 29 | | | | |
| 1940s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1939-40 | | | | | | January 28 | | | | |
Visitor Memories
| "I started around 1964 learning to ski at Baker. Oh did I dread that toe rope, but as I got older and smarter would get on after someone with a toe hook, then ask when they were getting off so that I could get off first and not have the spin ripe my mittens off. Many a kid in Bingham / Moscow had leather mittens with the palm wore out do to the rope!
When the T bar came in,a bunch of us would ski in the woods before the new trails were built. The most fun were the snow fields when the powder was fresh and deep. Spent my last year of High School 71/72 on ski patrol and got to ski almost every opening day.
Having skied other bigger slopes this one has a greater meaning and great memories with the people from the area. I also had a chance to bring my daughter up in the late 90's for her first time skiing. We both rented equipment and had a ball,only to of wished we lived closer!" | | John Richard, Mar. 14, 2019 | | "I learned to ski at a young age on the small "bunny" slope and finally got my courage up to try the T bars. I was petrified. Robert Henderson walked me through the steps and for the next 20 times I tried I ended up on my butt. lol but then i realized u cant sit on it you just gotta let it push you. Great Great memories growing up in Bingham/Moscow and skiing Baker Mountain. Gave us kids something constructive to do. I hope it remains open and prosperous for generations to come.. I think Ill try and get my sons to try it out this year. Love to you all." | | jennifer beane, Jan. 14, 2019 | | "I learned to ski on this mountain many moons ago. My grandfather was Dr Harry Lowell who used to be the town Dr for the area. I started skiing at a very young age and spent every February vacation on this mountain and loving every minute of it! The T-bar got me a few times but the memories I have of this mountain are forever in my heart!!" | | Heather Pelletier, Nov. 29, 2018 |
|
External Links
Baker Mountain - SmallSkiAreas.com
|
Last updated: March 7, 2023
|
