Photo: Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

Blaze Destroys Pumphouse at Maine Ski Area

Originally posted on Powder | By Ian Greenwood | Last updated Dec 5, 2024 6:12 AM ET

At Hermon Mountain Ski Area, Maine, excitement was building for the skiing season—until the ski area’s pumphouse (used for snowmaking) caught fire.

On Tuesday, December 2, 2024, Hermon Mountain shared photos on social media of its snowmaking system blasting frozen flakes with the caption: “Snowmaking has begun!!!”

Then, around midnight, the pumphouse went up in flames. Local firefighters quickly doused the fire and helped the ski area drain its water pipes so they wouldn’t freeze and cause further damage. But the pumphouse and its motors were a complete loss. As of Wednesday, Hermon Mountain had begun working with insurance and other businesses to clean up the mess.

“We’re hoping, this little warm spell that’s coming—the next cold spell, we’ll be able to be back making snow,” Bill Whitcomb, the ski area’s owner, told WABI. Whitcomb also said that Hermon Mountain has already obtained demolition and building permits.

The ski area believes that a diesel motor in the pumphouse may be responsible for the fire, but its cause remains unknown.

“We are focused on getting going again and remaining positive. We will keep you all updated as the process continues,” the ski area wrote in a short statement.

Hermon Mountain is just outside Bangor, Maine. The small, family-oriented ski offers affordable lift tickets at $55 a pop. It hasn’t opened for the ski season yet. Last winter, Hermon Mountain opened on December 23rd, but faced temporary, warm weather-induced closures throughout the season, before wrapping up in March 2024.

The ski area isn’t the only small destination to face recent mechanical issues. Mt. Ashland, Oregon, recently shared that a tree had fallen on its Ariel Lift, leading to the lift’s opening being delayed. Despite the setback, Mt. Ashland opens for skiing and riding on Saturday, December 6th, with a passholders-only day.

Two major Maine ski resorts, Sugarloaf Mountain and Sunday River, have welcomed their first skiers of the season.

Sunday River opened on November 14th, following a temporary, single-day opening on Halloween. Sugarloaf Mountain opened on November 23rd. Both ski areas have limited terrain and aren’t operating at full capacity.

Fingers crossed Hermon Mountain is able to join the bunch as soon as possible.

Hermon Mountain Ski Area Stats/Info:

Vertical: 350 ft.

Skiable Terrain: N/A

Average Snowfall: N/A

Trails: 20

Lifts: 3

Snowmaking: YES

Night Skiing: YES

Mega-Pass: NO

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This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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