What began as the top two priorities in our 2020 SE Group Master Plan: 1. A reliable top-to-bottom lift, and 2. Expanded snowmaking capacity has grown to a community-led $1.2 million fundraising effort that has leveraged over $4 million in federal and state funding.
Final Paperwork Submitted for Big Rock’s Chairlift & Snowmaking Project!
Wow — what a journey and what a lot of work!
Today, with the final paperwork submitted to the U.S. Economic Development Administration, we officially begin the closeout process of a $6 million project that built a new Doppelmayr quad chairlift to the top and significantly upgraded Big Rock’s snowmaking capacity.
It’s been a full five years of work; planning, fundraising, writing grants, and construction - finally finished late this summer. What you experienced last winter our beautiful new lift. What you’ll see this winter is the payoff of our new snowmaking improvements operating at full capacity with the water we need from a new off-site pump house to make the most snow we’ve ever made.
Over the past two years this is what we’ve accomplished:
- A brand-new Doppelmayr Quad to the top of Big Rock
- Main Pump House upgrades replacing a single, undersized 200 hp pump with two massive 500 hp pumps connected to state-of-the-art electronics.
- A new off-site pump house that will automatically supply additional water to our ponds
- 6 new fully automated Technoalpin TR10 snowguns
Both pump houses reached full completion this summer — meaning what we operated with last winter was only part of what we will have this winter! The difference will be significant and noticeable.
We extend a huge thank you to our two primary contractors:
- Doppelmayr USA, who led the lift installation
- MCR Electric, who took on the extensive site, electrical, and snowmaking improvements
This project marks the largest single investment at Big Rock— a true community transformation made possible through a partnership of our federal and state government, community, board, staff, contractors, and every skier and supporter that believes in Big Rock.
To everyone who lifted, dug, wired, welded, donated, volunteered, or simply cheered us on — thank you. Your hard work, generosity and belief in Big Rock is what keeps family skiing and snowboarding alive in northern Maine.
Here’s a look back at the journey — from planning to the first shovel to the first chair.
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