GREENWOOD — Mt. Abram ski area finally opened Thursday after months of warm weather.
George Hunter of Coventry, England, enjoys a run down Boris Badenov, one of three trails open Thursday on Mt. Abram ski area's opening day in Greenwood. Hunter said he was in Maine visiting family.
Mt. Abram General Manager Kevin Rosenberg talks to an employee Thursday at the newly opened temporary ski lodge in Greenwood. The structure replaces the main lodge, which burned after a lightning strike in July.
General Manager Kevin Rosenberg said he was happy.
“We've made new snow at every opportunity,” he said. Still, opening day was pushed back twice.
Even on the first day of winter, temperatures hovered in the 50s in the early afternoon on the mountain. It was much warmer in the recently completed temporary lodge, thanks to radiant heat provided by wood pellet burners outside.
Thursday was also the first day for the new main lodge after a lightning strike in July burned down the former lodge. Since deciding on the 110- by 50-foot building by Rubb Building Designs of Sanford, the ski area has been racing to prepare for the 2011-12 ski season.
“From July 6 to now seems like a whirlwind,” Rosenberg said Thursday.
Workers were still making finishing touches, like setting up the sound system for the musical entertainment planned Thursday night in the Loose Boots Lounge. Rosenberg said the beer taps were still being connected to the kegs.
He said the solar panel project is also moving forward. Next year, the ski area will build a one-acre solar array which will collect more energy yearly than Mt. Abram uses.
Rosenberg said three runs — Boris Badenov, Sweeper and Mahoosuc Meadow — were open Thursday. That gave skiers one hill for each skill level. Rosenberg said he expected to have twice as many open for the beginning of Christmas week on Dec. 26.
“It's done,” he said Thursday. “A few of us have worked around the clock and got it done.”
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