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Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine will offer cat skiing this winter on its Burnt Mountain terrain, which until this season was only accessible for those willing to hike or skin. The resort will be one of only a small handful of U.S. ski areas east of the Rockies to offer cat skiing, with Subarbush, Vt., and Mount Bohemia, Mich., a couple of the others.
Burnt Mountain opened in 2010 with hundreds of acres of glades. “Since its opening, our sidecountry terrain has become a fan favorite among Loafers,” said Crusher Wilkinson, Sugarloaf VP of mountain operations. “The new Burnt Mountain Cat Skiing will not only enhance the skiing and riding experience, but also make the terrain more accessible to our guests.”
The resort purchased a new 12-passenger snow cat, which it will use in tandem with an existing 12-passenger cat, to transport skiers to the top of the Androscoggin Glade—one of three designated runs the cat skiing operation will serve, including 100 acres of newly developed terrain cut over the summer. Glade cutting crews also developed a designated cat road for the cabin cats to use.
In its first year, Burnt Mountain cat rides will be offered on weekends and vacation weeks only, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The cabin cats will shuttle skiers and riders every 20 minutes, and guests will be able to reserve their seat online in advance. It is recommended for expert skiers and riders only.
