Standing tall and proud in a plain of potato fields is Big Rock – and I surely understand the pride the staff derives from offering a great day of local skiing.  This area, like Quoggy Jo above, is owned and operated by the Maine Winter Sports Center (see more detail on the Quoggy Jo page).  This area, however, is a bigger hill (980 vertical feet vs. 215 feet with Quoggy Jo) with more slopes and higher lift capacity (Gee – I am sounding like a ski industry guy now – better watch out!!).

Once again I arrived at a ski area after lift closing and once again, thanks to very kind management (Jim you were very generous and full of spirit) we borrowed the mountain snowmobile. With Tim (my friend from the local area that met me at Quoggy Jo) driving with me sitting in back with my ski boots wedged into the narrow foot slots and skis angled on my back, we heading up the steep incline.  It was a powerful machine that took us straight up the hill with ease – what a great view of “Gods country” from the top – you could even see across the Canadian border into New Brunswick (my wife’s family was from this great province).  I quickly got into my skis (we were losing light so they turned on the night lights for us) and off I went with Tim following behind me.  It was easy to get in my 50 turns (remember my goal of 50 turns on 50 slopes with 50 friends leading to my 50^th Birthday in may!).  What a gorgeous night.

A quick trip down to the bottom where Jim met us for a brief visit.  More wonderful tales of helping area kids, helping special needs people and offering low affordable rates ($20 per day for the weekend – what a deal).  Jim even pointed out their dream expansion to the adjacent hill – somehow I know it will happen.   I also heard much about the proposed wind farm to be located at the top of the mountain – yea for green electricity production.  We also were told of the many Canadians coming to enjoy a day of skiing and of just plain good times in the north country – great job to all who work here and those that support the Maine Winter Sports Center.  I was smitten with this sumptuous, soft, summit of snow – salute.

Invigorated with the energy of these two ski areas, I headed off to Millinocket now for the night and a visit with a new friend Dick and his wife.