November 26, 2008 E-MAIL PRINT

New but familiar faces guide Mt. Abram

by Marty Basch/

Mt. Abram is projecting a Dec. 13 opening. (photo: Mt. Abram)

Mt. Abram is projecting a Dec. 13 opening. (photo: Mt. Abram)

Two ski buddies who met while carving turns at a small, family-oriented western Maine ski area are facing their first winter as Mt. Abram owners.
Matt Hancock and Rob Lally bought the compact ski area in Locke Mills in June.

"We built ski-in, ski-out homes there and became friendly over the years skiing there with our families," Hancock said. "When the mountain was up for sale, we said we had to buy it."

So, they did. Hancock has a background in the land and timber industry (Hancock Lumber) and Lally is a developer in his family's real estate business. They are newbies to ski area ownership.

Mt. Abram is not a fast-paced ski area. Forget high-speed lifts. The mountain is about family. The tubing hill has been extended by 100 feet, and the Magic Carpet conveyor lift has doubled in size on the mountain's west side.

The owners have made a push to rebuild the mountain's racing programs. Much of the area is noted for its gentle, learn-to-ski terrain. But there's some punch too, and the owners want to make sure skiers and rider know it.

"People love to set and race that mountain," Hancock said.

There is a friendly, rustic feel to Abram. Beginners have their own chair lift and can try their luck on gentle slopes away from the better skiers. Once they learn, beginners will be skiing from the top in no time. A sense of humor is found on winding trails with cartoon character names like Snidely Whiplash, Boris Badenov, Dudley Do-Right and Bullwinkle. Even one of the lifts is a testament to the relaxed atmosphere, the Way Back Machine.

About 10 minutes from Sunday River, Mt. Abram has a secluded beginner's area where first-timers can gain confidence without having to worry about better skiers behind them.

Inside the lodges, there is the bustle of finding misplaced gloves, getting tissues for runny noses and seeing the smiles associated with first turns.

"We also opened up a lot of trails, cutting the limbs," Lally explained.

The mountain will hold on to its unique hours. It's open Thursday through Sunday, and daily during Maine school vacation weeks. The mountain, which started snowmaking last week, is projecting a Dec. 13 opening.

"It is my belief in this economy that people will vacation closer to home, and those who vacation closer to home will be shopping for the best values in the market, and we have competitive pricing," Hancock said. Adult tickets are $49, with students (6 to 17) $37. Half-day tickets range from $25 to $30, and there are non-holiday two-for-one Thursdays.

Senior skiers take note: If you're over 80, you ski free. And if you're between 60 and 62, thank Hancock's mom for suggesting price breaks for that crowd. Many ski areas discount older skiers at 65 and 70. At Mount Abram, it's from 60 to 79, and the tickets are $37.

"Mom was kind of feeling left out," Hancock said.

Now that’s a skiing family.

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