The newest addition at Saddleback is now complete! The Nest, a new 2,500-square-foot ski-in, ski-out on-mountain dining experience is situated at 3,620′ in elevation and features an 80-seat dining area and 14-seat bar designed to easily transform into an event/wedding space. In addition to indoor and outdoor dining, the accompanying ski-up food kiosk allows mountain enthusiasts to place orders without stepping foot inside.
The building is designed to be environmentally conscious in the heart of a boreal forest, with large sliding windows overlooking the Rangeley Lakes region and a living roof covered in hay-scented ferns and native lowbush blueberries. Locally sourced materials include pine boards stained with linseed oil and pine tar used for the siding. In addition, the facility is built on posts instead of a poured foundation to minimize disruption of the watershed.
This project brought many interesting challenges. Construction was closely coordinated around the breeding season of the Bricknell’s thrush, one of North America’s rarest songbirds that breeds exclusively in the boreal forests. The winter months also required extensive coordination with mountain operations to utilize ski lifts and groomers for the transport of materials and personnel.
We are so pleased to have partnered with Saddleback to bring The Nest to reality. The Nest is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the 2023-2024 winter ski season. Be sure to visit the next time you are on the Saddleback slopes!
