Boris Badenov is Back at Mount Abram!

The light are back on Boris Badenov, and fast kids from high schools around Maine will be screaming down the steeps of this headwall trail at Mount Abram again this winter. You see Boris, one of 44 trails with a Bullwinkle theme, is Matt Hancock’s pet project.

Matt Hancock, a former principal at Hancock Lumber, and Rob Lally, a real estate developer, purchased the 1,150’vertical ski area with 5 lifts and Maine’s longest tubing park for $950,000 in 2008.

“One of the biggest things we have done at Mount Abram is to re-caffeinate the race program,” said Hancock. “Our mountain will be available exclusively to middle and high school students on Wed, Thurs, and Friday nights for race training. We have put together a world-class race coach staff and we have also booked some top level state and US sanctioned events. We hope to hear a lot of cow bells on our slopes this season and ultimately turn out some exceptional racers from our dedicated program.”

In the past, Mount Abram was open to the public for night skiing, but now the ski area will have public skiing 9am-4pm Thursdays through Sundays and school vacations. Ironically, nearby Sunday River is debuting night skiing this season.

Loyal Mount Abram customers and those looking for exceptional value will be pleased that Thursday is still “2 for 1” (2 for $49), and Friday Car Load Days are $75 for everyone in your vehicle. A new savings bracket, inspired by Hancock’s mother, is senior pricing starting at age 60, the youngest senior age category in the state. Also new, “free after 3” - the last hour of skiing from 3-4pm on Thursday and Friday afternoon is free.

Pass sales this season have exceeded any of Mount Abram’s past 48 years. “The response to our ownership has been extremely positive from people saying they are coming back in some cases after skiing elsewhere for a few season,” said Hancock. “The energy is contagious. We’re thrilled people see this is an affordable place to ski, and that they are giving us a chance.”

Patty Good of Kennebunkport, a Mount Abram ski instructor for many years said, “It’s great to have new energy and enthusiasm. I wish these guys the best and I think their new ownership will be a good thing for Mount Abram.”

Hancock is working full time on Mount Abram’s operations while Rob Lally is focusing on developing real estate on the mountainside. “I don’t pretend for a second this is an easy chore, it’s a competitive market and a tough economy,” said Hancock. “Small resorts have all the same operations that a large ski resort does (ski school, food service, mountain operations, daycare, etc) but we have an intimacy that a big mountain can’t replicate. We want our staff to know everyone’s name, and birthday. We really want to be a great family mountain at a great value.”

Another strength of Mount Abram already in place is the Westside learning area. This long, flat, wide beginner terrain is secluded from advance skier traffic flow, providing a non-intimidating space for first timers. The new owners have expanded the Westside magic carpet and learning area.

“As part of our Grand Opening on Dec. 20, we will have a dedication ceremony naming “The Sawicki” after Stan Sawicki who operated the magic carpet for many years. Stan was a great face at Mount Abram and sadly passed away last year,” said Hancock. The Grand Opening will also include a ribbon cutting at the Main Lodge, live music and fireworks.

“Rob and I believe we have the right mixture of energy, business acumen, and we plan to market the mountain’s great strengths which are family terrain, a friendly atmosphere where the staff knows everyone, and affordability,” said Hancock.

The 644-acre Mount Abram resort has had a bumpy past, exhausting three owners in the 1990’s. Most recently Josh and Susan Burns’ purchased the resort at auction in 2000 for $325,000, making significant improvements (reportedly $900,000) including snowmaking.

Pete Preble, of Auburn has seen a lot of owners come and go; he learned to ski at Mount Abram at the age of six. Preble, a ski patrol for 16 seasons, said “It doesn’t matter who the owner is, it’s the people that make Mount Abram a great place.”

Hancock said, “Mount Abram has a most unique brand with multiple generations of dedicated skiers. We’re seeing third generation Mount Abram skiers, it’s like when kids and then grandkids become Red Sox fans.” Hancock said there was a time when Sunday River Skiway was a single peak in the shadows of Mount Abram.

Hancock said already The Loose Boots Lounge (which received a new dance floor and lighting) has been very well attended with loyal customers. The slopes are white with snow, and meteorologist Russ Murley assures a good cold spell. So perhaps the stars are aligned for Mount Abram and Boris Badenov will shine under bright lights this season.