Enchanted Mountain
Lake Parlin, ME
(Near Jackman, Maine)
1966-1974

A medium sized lost ski area in northern Maine whose isolation provided problematic for its success.

 


A brochure from the mountain, showing the double chairlift.
Courtesy Mapnut.

History ~ By The Year ~ Current Imagery

History

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.


A description of the resort from the brochure.


An aerial view of the resort, probably late 1960's. Note the variety of fun, twisting trails. Click on image for the larger version.

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!

Unloading off the top of the chairlift.
A smattering of images from the brochure.

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.

By The Year
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

Current Imagery
This fairly recent Terraserver image shows that while many of the trails have grown in, they are still quite visible.

If you remember this area and have more information, please let us know.

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