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Spruce Mountain Ski Area |
Jay, Maine |
Status: |
Open
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First Season: | 1959-60 |
Vertical Drop: | 300 feet |
Standing Lifts: | Surface lifts |
Past Lifts: | |
Left: Spruce Mountain |
Recent NewEnglandSkiIndustry.com News:
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Located northwest of Augusta, near the village of Livermore Falls, Spruce Mountain is a small, multi-town-owned, volunteer run ski area.
Spruce Mountain in North Jay
The Spruce Mountain Ski Club dates back to 1956, when a group of Livermore Falls skiers obtained permission from Eben Farrington, Carl Wright, and Everett Wright to develop a ski area off Spruce Mountain Road in North Jay. The ski club was registered as a non-profit in December of 1956 and a rope to acquired from Augusta.
Spruce Mountain in Jay
The Barn slope (2016) |
In the interest of having a more convenient location, the ski area was moved to a location just outside of Livermore Falls in 1959. Alex and Pauline provided their land and barn for the ski club's use, in exchange for a lease payment to cover their property taxes. Thousands of trees were planted in the early years to help define the ski trails on what was sometimes called Dion Hill. Like its predecessor, the ski area was rope tow serviced. The new location likely opened during the winter of 1959-60.
While a lack of volunteer help threatened the ski area in the mid 1970s, the club was able to rebound, keeping the area in operation as it played host to numerous ski races and championships later that decade.
Spruce Mountain was not immune from the poor winters of the early 1980s, as the club found itself asking the towns for help in paying down deficits.
Spruce Mountain Sold to Towns
1995 snowmaking expansion work |
In December of 1987, the town of Jay entered into a purchase agreement with the Dion family for the property. Jay, Livermore, and Livermore Falls purchased the land and buildings for $197,000, retaining the Spruce Mountain Ski Club as operator. The deal likely closed in 1988 with the stipulation that Jay would continue to receive property taxes on the property.
Relatively large projects were completed for the 1991-92 season, when the warming hut, snack bar, and garage facilities were upgraded. New bathrooms were also constructed.
Losses accumulated as Spruce Mountain entered the mid 1990s. The ski area faced foreclosure due to $3,000 in back taxes owed to Jay. An agreement was likely reached in 1995.
Also in 1995, the towns of Jay and Livermore and numerous volunteers joined together to build a new snowmaking system. New pipe was installed and a new pumphouse constructed, boosting the system's coverage to 8 acres.
Improvements have continued since the 1990s. In the early 2010s, rope tow lines were smoothed and the Maine Army National Guard installed new drainage at the base of the ski area and parking lots.
Spruce Mountain presently operates with three rope tows, 11 trails, snowmaking, night skiing, and grooming.
NewEnglandSkiConditions.com Reports
Month |
Average Percent of Terrain Open |
December | 60% (1 report) | | January | 87% (3 reports) | | February | 58% (2 reports) | | March | 60% (1 report) | |
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-- start conditions table -->
Recent Conditions Reports |
| Jan. 27, 2024 by newenglandskier13 Wet Packed Powder, Wet Powder |
| Mar. 24, 2023 by newenglandskier13 Spring Snow, Variable Conditions |
| Dec. 31, 2022 by newenglandskier13 Spring Snow, Variable Conditions |
| Jan. 19, 2022 by newenglandskier13 Packed Powder, Variable Conditions |
| Feb. 14, 2020 by newenglandskier13 Packed Powder, Packed Powder |
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Spruce Mountain Ski Area on NewEnglandSkiConditions.com |
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 | $30.00 | | | | | December 26 | March 9 | | | | 2022-23 | $30.00 | | | | | December 26 | March 29 | | | | 2021-22 | $25.00 | | $225.00 | | 9.0 days | December 26 | March 17 | | | | 2020-21 | | | $300.00 | | | December 31 | March 21 | | | | 2019-20 | | | $225.00 | | | December 26 | March 15 | | | |
2010s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
2018-19 | | | | | | December 29 | March 31 | | | | 2017-18 | | | | | | December 26 | April 1 | | | | 2015-16 | $25.00 | | $500.00 | | 20.0 days | December 29 | March 9 | | | | 2014-15 | $25.00 | | | | | December 26 | April 1 | | | | 2013-14 | $25.00 | | | | | December 26 | April 1 | | | | 2012-13 | $25.00 | | | | | December 26 | March 10 | | | | 2010-11 | $17.00 | | | | | December 26 | | | | | 2009-10 | $17.00 | | | | | December 26 | | | | |
2000s |
Ticket Price |
Season Pass Price |
Pass Payback |
Opening Day |
Closing Day |
Skier Visits |
2008-09 | $17.00 | | | | | | | | | | 2007-08 | $16.00 | | | | | | | | | |
Visitor Memories
External Links
Spruce Mountain - official site
Spruce Mountain - SmallSkiAreas.com
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Last updated: October 15, 2016
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