Enchanted Mountain (ski area)

Enchanted Mountain
An aerial view of Enchanted Mountain, 1968
Location	Coburn Mountain, Upper Enchanted Township, Maine, United States
Nearest city	Jackman, Maine
Coordinates	45°27′58″N 70°7′5″W / 45.46611°N 70.11806°W / 45.46611; -70.11806Coordinates: 45°27′58″N 70°7′5″W / 45.46611°N 70.11806°W / 45.46611; -70.11806
Top elevation	3,200 feet (980 m)
Base elevation	2,200 feet (670 m)
Runs	8
Lift system	3

Enchanted Mountain was a medium-sized ski area located in Upper Enchanted Township, Maine whose isolation and strong wind conditions proved problematic for its success. The area was said to be the "Switzerland of Maine", an isolated alpine area with great views and skiing. It consisted of eight runs (2 beginner and 6 intermediate/expert) using a double chairlift, a T-bar lift, and a Poma. The remnants of the ski area remain on the southward facing slope of Coburn Mountain (el. 3,717 ft or 1,133 m), in Upper Enchanted Township where it got its namesake.

Enchanted Mountain was designed by E.H. Lord-Wood Associates and built in 1965 by North Haven Construction Company on land that was reportedly leased from Scott Paper Company, who would later become owner of nearby Big Squaw Mountain Resort. The ski area first opened in February 1966 with two lifts: a T-bar that would serve only two trails above the base lodge that season and a baby poma lift to serve the beginner ski area below the lodge. The following year a 4,200 ft. Poma double chairlift was constructed to the summit, increasing the trail count to seven. One wide open slope was located underneath the lift with six narrower, winding trails fanning out from the top. The vertical drop was only about 1000 ft. but some brochures and guidebooks exaggerated it to as much as 1800 ft. The area boasted that it had the deepest snow and shortest lift lines. In 1968 the lifts operated daily and an adult lift ticket was only $5.50.

In 1971 the ski area had grown to include a ski school, shop, lodge, snack bar, nursery, and ski patrol, and by 1974 it had added a restaurant, rental & repair shop, warming huts and parking for up to 600 cars. It was said that the surrounding area had lodging available for over 300 people. There was no snowmaking or night skiing.