Weren't we just talking about how incredibly generous Mainers, particularly Central Mainers, are? Yeah, we were. Well, not even a day later and we have another incredible show of generosity.

Saddleback Mountain, one of Maine's premier ski resorts in Rangeley, has spent much of the last decade completely vacant. Vacant that is until last year when the forgotten ski resort was purchased by the Arctaris Impact Fund and reopened for winter fun in Maine. However, things didn't just go back to normal for the mountain.

'Back in the day' when Saddleback was open during the winter, their were plenty of housing options in and around Rangeley for the nearly 300 seasonal employees. Since the mountains closure back in 2015, many of the houses, condos and cottages that were rented out to the mountain for staff housing have now migrated over to VRBO and Air BnB because they realize they can make more money that way.

What does that mean for the hundreds of seasonal employees now looking for places to stay since the mountain has reopened? It means options are severely limited. That's why Saddleback is preparing to build a 100-bed housing complex on the mountain. Though it will solve the problem of seasonal workers searching for local housing, the build doesn't come cheap.

According to the Kennebec Journal, a couple from Wayne, Maine has ponied up a staggering $1.5 million to contribute toward the project. The couple, Fritz Onion & wife Susan, say they grew up skiing at the iconic Maine ski resort.

They told the Kennebec Journal,

“We see this as a moment of transformation for Saddleback and we’re really excited about what Arctaris is doing there. We think it could be transformative for Rangeley. We grew up in Farmington, not far away, and it’s a place that means a lot to us.”

The housing project will house seasonal employees of Saddleback Mountain during the winter, and seasonal employees of other businesses in the summer months. Groundbreaking is expected sometime in the spring of 2022.

Absolute Top 10 Necessities To Survive A Maine Winter

As the tundra begins to freeze over and as Mainers begin their seasonal refuge to the bunker, there are a few necessities needed in order to successfully make it to the other side, where the palm trees reside. 

So, take heed and pay attention to our advice, because these are the exact necessities that will ensure your survivability, mental good health, and that you’ll eventually see another summer season up to camp. 

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