Five Years Dark: The Saddleback Comeback Story

Описание: What does it take to bring a mountain back to life — and turn it into the #1 ski resort in the East?

In this episode, we sit down with Saddleback CEO Matt Dieterich and GM Jim Quimby to talk about the mountain’s remarkable comeback, what it means to operate a ski area with a soul, and how a community rallied behind a place they refused to lose.

We get into the years-long closure, the investment required to rebuild everything from lifts to snowmaking, and the culture shift that’s putting Saddleback on the map for families, beginners, and lifelong skiers alike. And yes — we talk about being named the top ski resort in the East by Ski Magazine and what’s coming next for 2026 and beyond.

Learn More About Maine Famous
🌐 https://www.mainefamous.com/
📷   / mainefamous  
🎙️ https://creators.spotify.com/pod/prof...
🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast...

00:00 Introduction
01:55 Why Maine?
04:38 How Matt Dietrich became the CEO of Saddleback
05:22 Jim Quimby's life-long obsession with Saddleback
06:48 The worst part of Saddleback's closure
08:45 How Saddleback recovered
09:47 What's the happiest day Matt's ever had at Saddleback?
10:20 Saddleback's Character (and characters)
13:29 Saddleback ranked "#1 on the East Coast" in Ski Magazine
16:11 Saddleback's lessions are world class
18:09 How can someone take a lesson at Saddleback?
19:14 Why do beginners leave skiing?
20:59 If Matt & Jim could take gold in one winter Olymic sport, which would it be?
22:56 Uphill skiing at Saddleback
25:12 How Saddleback and the Apalachian Trail work together
26:59 What's new for the Saddleback 2026 Winter season?
28:47 What makes Saddleback special?
32:34 What's the feedback you receive the most?
33:47 The future of Saddleback
35:37 Year round opportunities on Saddleback
38:52 Lightning Round