The long-awaited news from the folks at Saddleback is in – in part. Now projected to open at the end of January, under new ownership, skiers and the whole town of Rangely have good reason to celebrate. The Mountain’s new owners have not been announced. Why? Inquiring minds what to know.

Saddleback is a terrific mountain. It’s huge, it has great variety of terrain and is reported to have 85 percent snowmaking on its main trails.

Statistically, the mountain rises over 4,000 feet with 2,000 feet of vertical from lift to peak. It’s a vast bowl of acres awaiting the nimble skier.

Although Saddleback caters to the advanced skier with a plethora of steep double diamonds and an assortment of mogul trails that will test your abilities, it does have a very comfortable learn-to-ski area with its own lift. The bunny slope is wide, long, and comfortable, sporting a gentle incline that is serviceable for the beginner and first timer, but is also a great area for novices to hone their skills, whether on skis or a snowboard.

If you’re seeking a challenging mountain, Saddleback is what the doctor ordered. Tree skiing is vast, the glades are numerous with such titles as “Nightmare Glades,” “Intimidator,” and ”Dark Wizard.” Adding to the challenge is an entire mountainside of glades called “Casablanca.” A full 44 acres of glades for the bold and courageous skier and boarder to explore.

Additionally, the lodge is relatively new and a pleasant wonder of golden timber. Spacious, comfortable and sporting a huge baronial fireplace, it’s a fine place to relax and rejuvenate. The upstairs pub, the Swill and Swig, is outfitted with 180-degree panoramic windows so you can drink in the view along with your beer. Skiers are afforded a grand view from the top of the mountain as Rangely Lake stretches out in a scenic Maine horizon.

The thorn on the rose at Saddleback has always been the main double chair that skiers must ride to access the upper part of the mountain – it’s slow and low. This is the lift that Saddleback wished to replace with a bank loan of $3 million, that they reportedly were unable to secure. If I were a bank manager or a senior loan officer, I would not hesitate to advance a loan to such a worthy cause.

Additionally, the mountain has been for sale for quite sometime at what I perceived to be a very reasonable cost. The last quoted price was a mere $9 million. For a mountain that supposedly saw recent investments of $40 million, it seemed like a very attractive business opportunity.

The fact that Saddleback may not open until the end of January is tempered by the fact that our current snow season has yet to arrive at this late December date and is off to an historically slow start. Many of my snow friends are planning on playing tennis on Christmas Day, if they can find a court where the nets are still up.

High hopes are for a major change in the Arctic Oscillation. This holiday season, I am hoping for winter to arrive in full glory with deep drifts of white, and that Saddleback will arise like a phoenix and again welcome skiers with a memorable February and March and a snowy spring. Best of luck is wished to the new management and ownership.

For updated information on when Saddleback will come back to life, visit their website, www.saddlebackmaine.com, or their facebook page. Saddleback is twoand a-half hours from Portland. Take I-95 (Maine Turnpike) to Exit 75 in Auburn. Take Route 4 North through Farmington to Rangeley. Then follow the signs to Saddleback.

— Greg Morell is a ski, snowboard and cross country enthusiast. He can be reached at [email protected].