Moose Mountain
Category: Reopened or "Partially" Lost Ski Areas
Lots happening at this soon-to-be-reopened lost ski area. It reopened for various non-lift served winter activities for '09/'10 (snow tubing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, etc). Lift-served skiing is an unknown at this point due to permitting issues (and the fact that you'd probably have to share the slopes with snowmobiles!)
**December 2010**
Trails: Looking pretty good with snow on them. Most of the old ski trails still in rough shape, but the slope that was graded for snowtubing looks all ready to go.
Lifts: Mostly the same. Chairlift and Western T-bar still mostly standing at this point. Upon further inspection, looks like the summit return bullwheel for the Eastern Slope T-bar was left in place.
Facilities: Same.
Accessibility: Same.
**April 2010**
Trails: Same as previous visits. Hiked around western slope and the new cut between the chairlift line and the eastern slope (I'm still unsure what the point of that was).
Lifts: It looks as if the chairlift's days are officially numbered. The base bullwheel/drive has been removed from its barn, and the entrance to it has been boarded up and a typical door has been installed in its stead. Looks as if its just being used as a shed now. The drive and first portal tower have been moved over to the boneyard (where I also found the T's and base drive for the now also removed western slope T-bar!). Other than that, all other towers still stand, and, to my surprise, a few mangled chairs still remain on the line either wrapped around towers or drooping on the ground! Also spent some time exploring the still standing western edge T-bar. Unsure why this one was left up, it was/is easily in the roughest shape of any of the mountain's 3 lifts. Probably just haven't gotten around to removing it yet.
Facilities: Same. Looks like they've elevated part of the parking lot in the tubing area for a longer runout.
Accesibility: Same. Not a soul was there when I stopped by.
**November 2009**
Trails: The trail that has received the most attention during Moose's resurrection has been the T-bar 1 slope (the slope on the left if you were looking up the mountain). The lower half has been meticulously smoothed out, even moreso than you'd see at a regular operational ski area, and it looks like this area will probably be used for snowtubing initially. The only other major trail modification was a large swath of clearcut between this slope and the chairlift liftline. No idea what that's all about.
Lifts: T-bar 1 has been fully removed at this point to make way for the snowtubing operation. A brand spanking new handle tow was being installed the day I stopped by, most likely for tubing. Unlike the T-bar, this lift runs straight up the middle of the slope instead of along the side, and terminates about halfway up the slope, just before it gets slightly steeper. About half a dozen telephone poles have been newly installed alongside it, most likely for lights for night tubing. The main chairlift still stands, but for how much longer I'm not sure. The cable had been removed in some spots and was drooping off of towers near the summit, leading me to believe that this lift's days are numbered. The other T-bar on the right side of the mountain remained untouched for now, but if any sort of new development were to occur on this side of the mountain it would have to be removed as it's WELL past it's operational state.
Facilities: The Moose Mountain Lodge is still looking fresh and new.
Accessibility: Still OK for hiking at this point. It will be interesting to see what activities are allowed there this winter, especially regarding snowmobiles, as a trail runs straight across the base area.
**December 2008, February/March 2009**
Trail Skiability: The chair liftline, and two T-bar slopes had been cleared back to their original specifications, and will most definitely be skiable with enough snowcover. Other smaller trails did not appear to have received the same treatment, but it was difficult to tell from the base area.
Lifts: The clearing of the slopes has resulted in all three classic lifts (1 double chair, 2 t-bars) to be visible once again. The chair lift looks as if it is being revitalized based on the renovation the base barn has received. The two T-bars (one Mueller, one a Doppelmayr I think) looked to be in much rougher shape and will probably need to be replaced.
Facilities: The base lodge has either been torn down or renovated, as a brand spankin' new looking lodge (named the "Moose Mountain Lodge") is now in its place.
Accessibility: The road is open and graded as any typical ski area parking lot now, though I'm not really sure what exactly is happening.
**July 2006**
Trails: Same, new growth continues making progress on old slopes.
Lifts: Same.
Facilities: Presumed same.
Accessibility: Presumed same.
**July 2004**
Trails: Fairly clear and discernible, but definitely going back to nature at this point.
Lifts: Old lattice tower Mueller double still stands proudly, minus chairs. Unknown how much of the old T-bar remains as well.
Facilities: Run down looking lodge apparently now a private residence, evidenced by the fact that someone was just sitting chilling on the deck when we stopped by. Old maintenance shacks were also located around the base area in dilapidated states.
Accessibility: Assumed to be on private property, seeing as someone's living in the base lodge.
