Greenville Junction, Maine — The saga regarding the future of one of New England’s most underrated ski areas continues.
Friends of the Mountain, which operates Big Moose Mountain (formerly referred to as Big Squaw), announced that the property is back on the market. Developer Perry Wiliams, who wanted to revitalize the property, has officially dropped out, meaning that the Maine ski area is again being offered for sale by owner James Confalone. Friends of the Mountain is operating the ski area while all this gets sorted out, as their contract is active through December 2027.
This is surprising, given the recent news about those developers reviving their efforts to build the ski resort. The Piscataquis Observer reported in May that he had re-engaged with the owner and was finalizing the contract details. This summer, the developer planned to fix up the snowmaking system that was damaged by last December’s flood and tear down the buildings filled with asbestos.
Big Moose has had a complicated history. First opened in December 1963, It slowly grew its trails, lifts, and vertical drop over the coming years. While remote, the ski resort became known for its stunning views and slopeside hotel. It was eventually sold to entrepreneur James Confalone in 1995.
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In 2004, the upper mountain chairlift failed, resulting in four injuries. In addition, the hotel closed in the 2000s and has fallen into disrepair. The upper mountain has remained without lift-serviced skiing since, although the Friends have brought cat skiing operations up there for the past two winters. Rather than fixing the issues, Confalone allegedly illegally harvested timber to pay off millions in loans. This illegal timber harvesting and failure to maintain the property caused a lawsuit from the state of Maine, which could see Confalone pay more than $4.5 million in damages. In addition, James Confalone has refused to change the name of the mountain, despite most of the country now deeming the word squaw as offensive. However, the non-profit has begun referring to the ski area as Big Moose.
After being closed for several winters, Confalone leased the lower slopes to the non-profit Friends of the Mountain in 2012. They’ve done great work revitalizing the mountain, spending $200k last offseason to renovate the lower mountain chairlift, renovate the snowmaking pumphouse, and start a cat-skiing operation.
For years, developer Perry Williams has sought to revitalize the ski resort. Some of the proposals include a new hotel, a base lodge/conference center, summer attractions, dining options, and a detachable chairlift to the summit. While they got the approvals from the state of Maine, they never could finalize the contract with Confalone. The development team dropped the plans in late 2022. Perry Williams recently tried to revive these efforts, but he failed again.
The asking price is around $5 million, depending on whether the buyer acquires additional development acreage around the mountain. If you’re interested, please email Skibigmoose@gmail.com. If you want to support the non-profit, click here to donate to the Friends of the Mountain.
Image Credits: Friends of the Mountain, North Woods Aerial
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Max McClung scored 12 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, and the Windy City Bulls went on a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter to pull away for a 121-106 win over the Maine Celtics in an NBA G League game Friday night at the Portland Expo.
Kevin Knox II added 30 points, 21 in the second half.
Amari Williams led the Celtics with 26 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. Jalen Bridges made six 3-pointers and finished with 22 points, but the Celtics dropped to 2-8 in their last 10 games. Maine has lost four straight games at the Expo.
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A collective of environmental, arts and Indigenous-led organizations is collaborating to produce We Are the Watershed, a two-day event aimed at reconnecting humans with nature and revitalizing the health of waterways, estuaries, and the bay in Peskotomuhkatikuk (traditional Passamaquoddy territory). Events, including theatrical performances, music, culinary experiences and an exhibition of submitted artwork, will be held on May 1 and 2 at Eastport Arts Center (EAC). A publication of written and visual works will also be released with proceeds to support conservation efforts and spreading awareness of their impacts.
Submissions sought: Written and visual works are currently sought from artists and creatives on both sides of the border across Peskotomuhkatikuk for the publication, which will be sold by donation at the May event. Proceeds from the sale will be dedicated to related community-building efforts, public engagement, and continued restoration efforts. The deadline for digital submission for the publication is April 1.
Physical works can be dropped off at EAC Sunday, April 26 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to be a part of the exhibition, which will run May 1 through 15. Artists under 18 will receive 100% of the proceeds if they opt to put their pieces up for sale during the exhibit, which will run May 1 through May 15. Artists over 18 will receive 70% of the proceeds with the remainder going toward promoting awareness of and supporting conservation efforts for the Passamaquoddy Bay.
The Eastport Arts Center
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Every week through Apr 01, 2026. Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
