Saddleback Lights Out Party: The Total Solar Eclipse
More Event Parking Available!
An Unforgettable Celestial Celebration
Save the date and become part of an unforgettable celestial celebration. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be viewable across North America. Saddleback is smack dab in the line of eclipse totality, meaning there will be nearly 2.5 minutes of darkness. This won’t happen again until 2079! Ski all day, view the eclipse, and party long after the lights go out with Maine’s popular 12/OC Band from 4-6 p.m.
What To Expect – Special Event Rules & Restrictions
Reserved Parking
Everyone planning to drive to Saddleback and park a vehicle on Monday, April 8, 2024, will need to reserve and pay for a parking spot in advance as spots are limited. Reserved parking will start at $50 and be available by reservation only. Reserved parking is now open to 2023-2024 Saddleback season passholders via email notification. Parking spots will open to the general public on Monday, March 11th at 8 a.m.
Event Parking is SOLD OUT!
- Condo owners will have access to dedicated parking spots assigned by their HOA. Condo renters are limited to the parking spots located at the unit specified in the rental agreement with Morton & Furbish Vacation Rentals.
- There is NO overnight parking in Saddleback parking lots from Friday, April 5 through Tuesday, April 9, 2024. No trailers, buses, campers, RVs, tow-behinds or ANY vehicles over 20-feet.
- Saddleback will begin letting cars in at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024.
- There will be no public transportation from Rangeley to Saddleback. Mountain shuttle buses will run to and from condo areas and parking lots on Saddleback property. Drop offs will be permitted for ticketed skiers and riders only.
- No parking is permitted on the Saddleback Access Road from Quill Gordon Road towards Dallas Plantation.
- There will be limited ADA parking. EV parking sold out.
Lift Operations & Lift Tickets
Lift Operations: Lifts will run from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and will shut down for a brief period from about 3:00-3:45 p.m. during the eclipse’s totality.
- ONLY ticketed skiers and riders with a FlowCard will be allowed to ride the lifts or access our uphill trail called The Judge.
- Hiking or regular foot traffic on or off the lift is NOT permitted.
- Promotional ticket products, including industry-rate tickets, special group discounts, SkiMaine, SnoCountry, Uphill New England, Friends & Family, will not be accepted on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Uphill Travel & Hiking
ONLY ticketed skiers and riders will be to access the lifts and ski trails. You can skin or snowshoe The Judge, our dedicated uphill trail, if you have a season pass or a regular lift ticket for Monday, April 8, 2024. We will not be selling uphill day tickets.
- Hiking or regular foot traffic on the uphill trail is NOT permitted.
- Alpine touring is only allowed with the use of touring skis, a splitboard or snowshoes.
Media Visits
Saddleback will allow a limited number of media visits on Monday, April 8, 2024. Media and press visits must be scheduled prior to the event. For media inquiries and to schedule a media visit, please contact: Molly Shaw, Saddleback Brand Manager at molly.shaw@saddlebackmaine.com.
Special Event Rules & Conditions
- This event is rain or shine. There will be no refunds or credits issued due to weather.
- No outside fundraising or vendors will be permitted.
- No re-entry. If you leave the event, you will not be permitted to re enter
- Saddleback reserves the right to change or amend any event policy or procedures listed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Excited to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event, but still have a few questions? Read on for special event rules, restrictions and info.
Accessing The Mountain
Event parking is SOLD OUT. You will only be allowed to park on-site on Monday, April 8, 2024, with an event parking pass.
Parking is SOLD OUT. If you’re riding with someone who has a parking pass and need a lift ticket, you can still purchase here.
Condo owners will have access to dedicated parking spots assigned by their HOA. Condo renters are limited to the parking spots located at the unit specified in the rental agreement with Morton & Furbish Vacation Rentals.
Yes. Parking at Saddleback is limited. To create the best experience for all during this special event, all parking on Monday, April 8, 2024 will be reserved in advance and paid. We expect parking to sell out.
Yes, but you must reserve and pay for parking in advance.
Yes. Buddy tickets will be accepted on Monday, April 8, 2024.
No. There is NO overnight parking in Saddleback parking lots from Friday, April 5 through Tuesday, April 9, 2024. No trailers, buses, campers, RVs, tow-behinds or ANY vehicles over 20-feet. No overnight parking. Saddleback will begin letting cars in at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 8, 2024. Also, camping on Appalachian Trail property above treeline is prohibited.
Uphill Travel & Hiking: ONLY ticketed skiers and riders will be allowed on the mountain. You can only go uphill if you have a season pass or a regular lift ticket for Monday, April 8, 2024. We will not be selling uphill tickets and the Uphill NE pass is not accepted on this day. Hiking or regular foot traffic on or off the lift is NOT permitted. You must be on the dedicated Saddleback uphill route on touring skis, a splitboard or snowshoes
The short answer is NO. ONLY ticketed skiers and riders with a FlowCard will be allowed on the mountain. You can only go uphill with a season pass or a regular lift ticket for Monday, April 8, 2024. Hiking or regular foot traffic on or off the lift is NOT permitted. You must be on the dedicated Saddleback uphill route on touring skis, a split board or snowshoes.
Saddleback is working with the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) to allow responsible summit access. It’s important to note the summit is a fragile alpine ecosystem, especially during the spring thaw (late March-May). The ground is extremely wet and typically muddy, making it especially susceptible to damage. If you choose the Appalachian Trail as your eclipse-viewing spot, avoid going off the Trail or beyond existing campsites to help protect the surrounding fragile soil and spring plants from being trampled. Choose a durable surface to stop and watch the eclipse: bare rock; bare, hardened soil; and crusty snow are all low-impact options. Keep in mind, the A.T. is not maintained for winter use and higher elevations will often still see winter conditions through April. For more info on responsible summit access, check out this infographic and read the Know Before You Go Guide
Yes. Drop-offs will be allowed for ticketed skiers and riders only.
Yes. Saddleback will accept Indy Passholders on this day.
No. Promotional ticket products, including industry-rate tickets, special group-rate tickets, SkiMaine, SnoCountry, Uphill New England, Friends & Family, will not be accepted on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Yes. Saddleback will have a limited number of custom branded eclipse viewing glasses for sale.
No, pets are not allowed on Monday, April 8, 2024.
Mountain Operations
There will be extended lift operations on Monday, April 8, 2024. Lifts will spin from 9 a.m. to just before 6 p.m. that evening. Before eclipse totality, all lifts will be cleared and there will be a brief intermission in lift operations. This will be approximately 3:00-3:45 p.m. This means, that if you want to be up at the Kennebago Quad near the summit for the eclipse, you should plan to load the Rangeley Quad and ski over to the Kennebago Quad no later than 2:15 p.m.
This will be a two-hour event with 2.5 minutes of total solar eclipse.
- Partial Eclipse Begins 2:18 p.m.
- Totality Begins 3:29 p.m.
- Totality 3:31 p.m.
- Totality Ends 3:32 p.m.
- Partial Eclipse Ends 4:39 p.m.
We sure hope Mother Nature doesn’t pull that, but this event is rain or shine.
