Big Rock Mountain: New trail Construction underway

Back in 2019, Big Rock hired SE Group to update the mountain's Master Plan. After evaluating trails, lifts, snowmaking, and guest experience, they identified three top priorities:

Over the past few years, that plan became the foundation for securing federal, state, and local grants, along with community donations, that allowed to build the new Sunrise Quad to the top and upgrade our snowmaking system.

This summer, Big Rock Mountain is tackling the third priority.

The new trail begins on the north side of Elbow, bypasses its steep upper pitch, reconnects on the gentler terrain below, then traverses across the mountain to the Comet before returning to the Family Trail on a widened and improved cat track.

The result will be the easiest and most enjoyable way for families and developing skiers to get from the summit back to the base.

If you've skied Big Rock for years, you've probably seen someone take off their skis and walk down the Comet, not with a smile on their face. For some, that was probably their last day skiing.

That's what this trail is all about.

Big Rock Mountain wants the transition from the Beginner Triple pod to the summit to be exciting instead of intimidating. Instead of standing at the top looking down the wide-open face of the Comet, new skiers will wind through the woods on a gentle trail and finish their first run from the summit with a big smile on their face.

Construction is already underway. Tree clearing on the upper section is nearly complete, and heavy excavation will begin soon.

This is the first new ski trail Big Rock has built in more than 20 years.

Big Rock Mountain is incredibly thankful to the Maine Recreational Trails Program for funding a large portion of the project, but like almost everything at Big Rock, the grant doesn't cover everything.

If you're a contractor, or have large electrical wire, light poles, equipment, materials, or expertise you'd be willing to donate, Big Rock Mountain love your help.