As a mom who is constantly trying to balance the family budget with our love for the slopes, my heart sank a little when I read the news coming out of Lee, Maine, this week.
Mt. Jefferson Ski Area, a true local gem known for having some of the most wallet-friendly lift tickets in New England, has announced that this winter will likely be its last.
The Announcement
After a tough start to the season, Mt. Jefferson finally announced a projected opening date of January 31st. In the same breath, they shared the heavy news: unless they see a major influx of visitors this winter, they will be closing operations for good.
For small, family-run hills, missing the Christmas and Martin Luther King Jr. holiday windows is devastating. Those weeks often make up the bulk of the season's revenue. Between warming winters, a fire in 2024, and the lack of a website (they run primarily off Facebook), the current owners have faced an uphill battle since taking over in 2016.
Why This Matters for Families
We talk a lot about the big destination trips—and don't get me wrong, I love dreaming about powder days at big mountains like Snowbird (which scores a 67/100 on ShredIndex for its incredible terrain). But let's be real: for most families, learning to ski happens at the local hill.
Mt. Jefferson offers something that is becoming extinct in the ski industry: $30 daily lift tickets.
Yes, you read that right. Thirty dollars. They also offer:
- $25 for two hours of tubing (a total hit with the non-skiers in the family)
- $30 rental packages
- $259 season passes
losing a place with these prices puts the sport out of reach for so many local kids. That is a loss we feel deeply in the ski community.
The Experience: Old School Charm
If you are planning to head up there to support them (and I really hope you do!), keep in mind that Mt. Jefferson is old school. They don't have snowmaking, which is why they are so dependent on natural snowfall and are opening so late.
They also rely entirely on surface lifts (T-bars).
Mom Tip: T-bars can be tricky for little ones learning to balance, but they are fantastic for building leg strength! However, because you aren't huddled together on a chairlift, it can feel a bit colder when the wind whips up. Make sure your kiddos are geared up properly. I always recommend heavy-duty mittens for surface lifts since their hands are constantly gripping the bar.
- My Pick for Warm Hands: Hestra Army Leather Heli Ski Mitten – These are an investment, but they keep little fingers toasty like nothing else.
- Budget Layering: Smartwool Merino Base Layer – Essential for those chilly Maine days.
A Tale of Two Hills
It’s interesting to compare this situation to New Hermon Mountain, another Maine ski area that was on the brink of closure. New Hermon recently hinted that they are closing in on new owners, potentially saving the mountain.
The difference? Infrastructure and location. New Hermon has snowmaking, a chairlift, and is close to Bangor. Mt. Jefferson is more remote and lacks that modern infrastructure, making its survival path much steeper.
How You Can Help
If you are in Maine, please consider taking a drive to Lee this February. Buy a ticket, rent some tubes, and buy a burger in the lodge. It might be a long shot, but showing up is the only way to show that these small community hills still matter.
Let’s hope for a snowy February and a miracle for Mt. Jefferson.
Source: Unofficial Networks
