Ragged Mountain

Midcoast Maine's best family mountain experience with spectacular ocean views and 1000 feet of vertical fun. Enjoy our town-owned recreation area four seasons long.

Owned by the town of Camden, the Snow Bowl is managed and operated by full-time town staff. Originally opened in 1936 during the Great Depression, it was solely operated by volunteers using donated materials. Nestled among picturesque harbors, charming inns and award-winning restaurants, the Snow Bowl is also the only ski area on the East Coast with ocean views. The Snow Bowl is also home to the country’s only remaining original, gravity-operated 400-foot-long wooden toboggan chute.

Established in 1936

The Camden Snow Bowl has been a popular ski area for decades

COME VISIT US

1000

VERTICAL FEET

SKI TRAILS

TERRAIN PARKS

GLADES

The Snow Bowl:
Then & Now

Located on the eastern slope of Ragged Mountain, work on the facility likely started in mid 1936. Lumber reportedly had to be ferried across Hosmer Pond, as the base area was blocked by woods and swamps. According to Camden Outing Club member Eugene Rich, the group "made every effort to keep our Snow Bowl development out of the papers for we felt we wanted a completely finished area before inviting the general public." Using all volunteer labor, the development debuted during the winter of 1937-38, with Governor Lewis Barrows lined up for the dedication of the facility in February.

Among the activities during the early years of the Snow Bowl included alpine skiing (featuring a rope tow), ice skating, and tobogganing. Skiing was also popular on the trail at nearby Mt. Megunticook.

Following World War II, the popularity of the Snow Bowl grew. According to the Lewiston Daily Sun, one January 1947 weekend saw over 10,000 visitors, with car license plates observed from as far away as Florida, Texas, and Washington. Improvements were made to the lodge circa the 1947-48 season, funded in part by fundraising dinners hosted by the outing club.

SNOW BOWL HISTORY

Fall 1936The beginning
In the middle of the Great Depression, volunteers begin work to build a lodge, skate house, and toboggan chute. All material was donated and lumber had to be floated across Hosmer Pond.
Winter 1936Opening Day
The Snow Bowl opens with little more than a frozen lake and a toboggan chute.
1937Winter Carnival
The biggest, annual attraction that featured toboggan rides, but also figure skating competitions, trap shooting, and wood sawing contests.
1938Rope toe installed
1963Ski trail expansion
New trails are cut in response to the skiing boom!
1965First chair lift
1966Second chair lift line!
1967Lodge fire
The original, volunteer-built lodge burns down.
1968New lodge built
The current, A-frame lodge is built
2014Triple chair lift installed
Also new LED lighting allows for night skiing!

Our Partners

These organizations are a huge part of our success.

Capital Investments

Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation

For more information about donor opportunities contact info@camdensnowbowl.com

Youth Programing Support

Ragged Mountain Ski Club

A nonprofit organization of families and friends with the common goal of promoting healthy activity through on-snow sports, and supporting and developing skiers and ski racers.

rmscsnowbowl@gmail.com

Onsite Gear Shop

Side Country Sports

Grab some fresh gear, demo a new board, or replace those tired gloves. Open all operating hours.

207-706-4994

visit their website

Onsite Concessions

Snow Dogs

Serving up delicious food, beer and wine in the lodge. Open all operating hours.

Order online NOW

Camden Parks & Recreation

The Camden Parks and Recreation Department manages and/or maintains more than 700 acres of town property and several facilities, including parks and numerous trailheads, overlooks, sections of the Riverwalk, the (former) tannery property, various boat launches, and the Camden Snow Bowl facility and grounds.