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Located east of Skowhegan, 715 foot Eaton Mountain has been home to skiing off and on for decades.
Early Years
Organized skiing on Eaton Mountain likely dates back to the winter of 1936-37, when the Skowhegan Outing Club was formed with Dr. Alvah Appleby serving as president and Edward Merrill as "second director." The club's first big skiing outing was held in February 1937 on Eaton Mountain via a trail accessed from the Captain Neil Olsen farm. Olsen had granted the club permission to use his land and remove fences for skiing. The location was described in the Waterville Morning Sentinel as "an ideal slope for skiing and tobogganing, about a mile in length. Near the foot of the mountain are two small ponds, excellent for skating. According to information given Mr. Merrill by an out of town expert, these facilities could be developed into one of the outstanding winter sports headquarters in the state. There are ample facilities for a ski tow 3,000 feet in length, two ski trails a mile long and two long winding toboggan slides."
Wallace Lovell, affiliated with the Maine Development Commission, visited the area at the end of February, skiing the "mile-long ski trail in one minute and 45 seconds." Lovell noted his positive opinion of the location and that Eaton Mountain would be an ideal skiing destination if a ski tow were installed.
For the winter of 1937-38, the lineup at Eaton Mountain was described as the East Trail, West Trail, and South Slope. One trail was described as being 20 to 30 feet wide and having a 400 foot vertical drop.
It appears the Skowhegan Outing Club and skiing on Eaton Mountain may have faded away after the 1938-39 season.
Rope Tow Service
Construction of Eaton Mountain (fall 1961) |
In October 1961, Paul Sylvain and his sons Paul and Lawrence acquired a 100 acre plot of land from Evie Davis and announced they were constructing a ski area on Eaton Mountain. Working for their father's construction business, the 22- and 25-year-old brothers had minimal skiing experience, but were looking for "something to do in the winter."
Plans for the 1961-62 season included a T-Bar serving an intermediate trail, plus a novice slope and a lodge. The brothers stated that "It's a good hill and somebody has to do it." Though the planned trails and lift line were subsequently cleared, the brothers announced the opening would be postponed due to wet weather and late November snowfall.
Additional construction took place in 1962, resulting in a total of three trails, served by a 1,200 foot rope tow. The area likely debuted on January 12, 1963.
Trail widening took place for the 1963-64 season, while plans for night skiing were also announced.
The area was listed for sale in 1964, but remained operational. A 2,400 foot rope tow was installed for the 1964-65 season, while one of the trails was improved. A lack of natural snow likely prevented the season from starting until mid-January. Following the 1964-65 season, Lawrence Sylvain acquired his father's and brother's share of the property.
Expansion to the Top
Expanding Eaton Mountain in 1966 |
New ownership was set in motion in December 1965, as the town of Skowhegan pursued an option to buy the ski area.
In February 1966, the Somerset Recreational Development Corporation was formed, with Skowhegan High School ski coach Francis Knute Paul serving as its president. Plans were announced to purchase the ski area from Lawrence Sylvain, acquire upper mountain land for expansion, cut more trails, and install more lifts. The group started selling stock that month, with Knute Paul telling the Bangor Daily News that "We felt reasonably certain that if we do not buy this area and keep it open for public use that the area will be brought [sic] by private interests and the area will lose its only public skiing facility." Stock sales soon exceeded an early spring $20,000 goal.
The Somerset Recreational Development Corporation acquired the ski area from Lawrence Sylvain on May 27, 1966 and acquired an upper mountain tract from Harry Jewell that same day. In July, Somerset Recreational Development Corporation transferred the land to the non-profit Somerset Recreational Development Company. Subsequently, the corporation agreed to lease the ski area from the company for fifteen years. Knute Paul was named manager.
Trail clearing was completed ahead of schedule in early August. With $30,000 in stock purchased by 200 county residents, the Somerset Recreational Development Corporation decided in September to accelerate its plans and announced the installation of a double chairlift. Plans were subsequently released for the installation of lights to reportedly offer the largest night skiing facility in the state. A 475 foot rope tow and two ski jumps rounded out the planned facilities.
Preparation for tower footings was taking place in mid-November for the "first of its kind" chairlift that was "completely designed, fabricated, manufactured and constructed by Maine firms." Kleinschmidt Engineering designed the lift, Cianbro Manufacturing handled fabrication, and affiliate Cianchette Brothers Construction Company handled the installation. According to the Bangor Daily News, the lift was "hailed by engineers as the finest of its sort and promises to set the stage for chairlifts of the future." Meanwhile, the foundation was poured for a 70 by 40 foot base lodge.
Though chairlift construction was still in progress, natural snow likely enabled a December 31st opening with rope tow service for hundreds of skiers. The chairlift was expected to open in early January.
Dedication of the chairlift (February 17, 1967) |
Construction dragged on, as the base terminal did not arrive at Eaton until the end of January. After months of delays, the chairlift finally started operation on February 15 and was formally dedicated two days later. Six trails ranging from novice to expert were available, while three additional trails had been cut but not excavated for skiing. Night skiing was also made available.
In early March, Eaton hosted the first Skowhegan Recreation Ski Carnival. Later in the month, an Easter weekend was held that included free skiing, lessons, and rentals.
In advance of the 1967-68 season, director Edmund Branch was named ski area manager. Off-season work included the relocation and construction of a maintenance garage, expanded parking, trail improvements (likely finishing the three partially completed trails from the prior season), and a new rope tow motor (possibly extending the length of the lift to 750 feet). Season ticket sales exceeded those for the debut season of the chairlift. Unfortunately for Eaton, warm, wet weather kept the area closed until New Year's weekend, when natural snow finally arrived. This season likely lasted into early to mid March.
Robert Knowles and Al Coombs, Jr. at Eaton (January 1969) |
1968 off-season work consisted of smoothing the trails, while the Somerset Recreational Development Company faced foreclosure by Depositors Trust Company. Robert Knowles, and operator of stock race car tracks, was named general manager in advance of the season. A night-skiing-only season pass was offered for the first time "for the benefit of those who are unable to take advantage of daytime skiing." Night skiing terrain consisted of a novice and expert trail from the summit, as well as two lower mountain slopes.
The ski area was refinanced in late 1969, as Somerset Recreational Development Corporation became Eaton Mountain Corporation on November 26. The property was transferred from
Depositors Trust Company to Eaton Mountain Corporation on December 31. Robert Knowles remained on board as general manager, discussing plans to install a T-Bar to improve uphill capacity. Due to a lack of natural snow, the season likely didn't get underway until the end of January
A trail map painted on the lodge wall (2015) |
Circa 1973, there was talk about Saddleback taking over and improving Eaton, however this likely did not advance beyond initial negotiations. Instead, George Lebrecque purchased the area that fall. Due to a foreclosure, the ski area did not open for the 1975-76 season. Two additional owners came aboard, allowing Lebrecque to reopen the area the following season. Lebrecque would assume sole ownership again in 1980.
Taking advantage of a Development Opportunity Fund Grant, a new snowmaking system was installed for the 1984-85 season.
Perhaps to hedge against issues with the double chairlift, a T-Bar was obtained from Sugarloaf circa the 1980s. Installation was not completed.
The ski area's main lodge and maintenance garage burned in January 2005. Regional areas helped provide equipment to keep the area operational.
Closure
The ski area closed after the 2007-08 season.
In the fall of 2008, David and Donna Beers purchased Eaton Mountain. While they had hoped to continue ski operations, the area's lifts and infrastructure was in a state of disrepair, resulting in no winter operations for multiple years.
After significant work, they were able to open a snow tubing area in 2010 with hopes to resume ski operations soon thereafter. A major setback occurred in December 2011 when David Beers was seriously injured while working on a snowcat. As a result of the accident, the area cancelled 2011-12 winter operations.
After a long recovery, Beers was able to reopen the tubing facility for the 2012-13 season. Meanwhile, efforts to resume ski operations continued.
Skiing Resumes
The lower mountain (2015) |
Two handle tows were purchased and installed to serve limited skiing operations for 2014-15. Eaton reopened for skiing on January 10, 2015 with the two tows serving a terrain park and novice terrain.
Closed Again
After the rough winter of 2015-16, Eaton Mountain suspended ski operations, but continued tubing for 2016-17. Future plans for the ski area called for a lift to the top of the mountain, serving the network of idle trails that were still maintained. However, all operations were suspended prior to the 2019-20 season. It is not known if or when Eaton Mountain will reopen.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News
Lifts
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Maps
Year by Year History
Adult Weekend Full Day Lift Ticket; Adult Full Price Unlimited Season Pass
| 2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2018-19 | $15.00 |  | | | | January 5 | | | | | | 2017-18 | $12.00 | | $100.00 | | 8.3 days | January 27 | March 25 | | | | | 2016-17 | $15.00 | | | | | February 11 | March 25 | | | | | 2015-16 | $15.00 | | $125.00 | | 8.3 days | January 30 | February 15 | | | | | 2014-15 | $15.00 | | $150.00 | | 10.0 days | January 10 | March 29 | | | |
| 2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 2006-07 | $23.00 | | $310.00 | | 13.5 days | | | | | | | 2005-06 | $23.00 | | $310.00 | | 13.5 days | | | | | | | 2004-05 | $22.00 | | $310.00 | | 14.1 days | | | | | | | 2003-04 | $22.00 | | $310.00 | | 14.1 days | | | | | | | 2002-03 | $22.00 | | $310.00 | | 14.1 days | | | | | | | 2001-02 | $20.00 | | $310.00 | | 15.5 days | | | | | | | 2000-01 | $19.00 | | $300.00 | | 15.8 days | | | | | | | 1999-00 | $18.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1990s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1996-97 | | | | | | November 29 | April 6 | | | | | 1993-94 | | | | | | | April 3 | | | |
| 1980s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1987-88 | | | | | | December 19 | | | | | | 1985-86 | $12.00 | | | | | | | | | |
| 1970s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1976-77 | $5.75 | | | | | | | | | | | 1974-75 | $5.50 | | $70.00 | | 12.7 days | January 3 | March 23 | | | | | 1973-74 | $4.00 | | $70.00 | | 17.5 days | January 12 | | | | | | 1972-73 | $4.50 | | | | | December 16 | | | | | | 1971-72 | $3.50 | | $70.00 | | 20.0 days | December 31 | | | | | | 1970-71 | $3.50 | | $70.00 | | 20.0 days | December 11 | | | | | | 1969-70 | | | | | | January 31 | | | | |
| 1960s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
| 1968-69 | $3.50 | | | | | | | | | | | 1967-68 | $3.00 | | | | | | | | | | | 1966-67 | $3.00 | | | | | December 31 | | | | | | 1962-63 | | | | | | January 12 | | | | |
Visitor Memories
External Links
Eaton Mountain Ski Area - official site
Eaton Mountain - SmallSkiAreas.com
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Last updated: February 14, 2023
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