HERMON – It’s a crisp winter’s night at New Hermon Mountain, and the slopes and the base lodge are bustling with snow enthusiasts.

Up on the hill, skiers and snowboarders are navigating the trails, enjoying the benefits of new metal halide lighting and snowmaking outlets.

Down in the lodge, young and old cluster around picnic tables, sipping hot drinks, sharing snacks and laughing.

“I come here all the time,” said 14-year-old Andy Curtis of Carmel. “It’s the only place around like this.”

According to owner Bill Whitcomb of Prospect, action at New Hermon Mountain has been brisk so far this season. Skiers are taking advantage of the trails, all of which are in good condition despite the lack of snow until recently.

“We’ve gotten what snowstorms came,” Whitcomb said. “And as far as the water for snowmaking, there’s a beaver dam flowage just where we draw our water from. Even though there’s been a drought, the water is above normal height.”

Since the mountain opened Dec. 21, Whitcomb estimates it has had an average of 150 skiers a day, including high school teams and youths enrolled in its after-school Learn To Ski programs.

New Hermon Mountain has 20 marked trails, two lifts and 100 percent snowmaking capacity. About 40 percent of its trails are rated easy, with the remaining trails split about evenly between moderate and difficult. Summit elevation is 350 feet, and there are 80 acres of ski area. The longest run is about 5,000 feet.

Whitcomb and his wife, Marlene, have made a number of improvements to the mountain this year, including new lighting, new snowmaking and rental equipment, and an enlarged parking lot. But it’s not just the facilities that keep the skiers coming back.

“It’s a really friendly atmosphere,” said 13-year-old Nick Sullivan of Carmel, who was at the mountain with Curtis and 16-year-old W.J. Scott of Carmel.

“It’s really cool to know the owners,” said Curtis.

“All the people are nice,” Scott added. “And the lift lines are generally short.”

Most of the skiers in the lodge seem to know the Whitcombs, with some of the children affectionately referring to Bill Whitcomb as “Big Bill.”

Whitcomb clearly enjoys his role, joking with his patrons, swapping stories and gently reminding the youngsters to wear helmets while snowboarding.

“The best part about operating the mountain is just enjoying the kids,” Bill Whitcomb said.

“We try to have it perfect for everybody, so the local people can come out and have a good time,” Marlene Whitcomb added. “I enjoy seeing the kids come out, too, getting some exercise and not just being out on the roads.”

New Hermon improvements

When the Whitcombs bought New Hermon Mountain 15 years ago, they wanted to be “hands-on owners.”

That means long afternoons and evenings at the slopes during the winter, and maintenance during the off-season.

Bill Whitcomb, who works at the International Paper mill in Bucksport, said his income from that job allows the family to “put nearly everything the mountain makes [financially] back into it.”

This year, the Whitcombs widened and leveled the beginners’ trails, and also replaced the incandescent lighting with metal halide.

“It’s so much brighter, it makes the trails easier to do at night,” Bill Whitcomb said.

The mountain also has 20 new snowmaking outlets, a new generator with a greater electric capacity, and a new groomer.

The parking lot has been enlarged by about one-third, and two-thirds of the equipment in the rental shop is new.

And the Whitcombs haven’t stopped planning for the years ahead.

“You never stop. We’d like to put in a tubing park someday … and a snow-cross area for snowmobiles, too,” Bill Whitcomb said.

Focus on the family

The Whitcombs have consciously cultivated a family atmosphere at the mountain.

The mountain employs some 70 people, including 30 instructors and 25 members of the ski patrol. Members of the Whitcombs’ extended family perform many duties, such as operating the snack bar and the equipment rental shop.

Todd Lufkin of Bradford is one of the volunteers for ski patrol. Lufkin grew up in Millinocket and often skied at New Hermon Mountain when he was in high school.

“We’re all here because we want to be. It’s all about helping people – and the skiing, although that’s a given,” Lufkin smiled.

Bill Whitcomb said they drew inspiration from the friendliness of the staffs at Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley and Lost Valley in Auburn.

“The attendants there are very friendly, the Maine type – what you remember as the Maine type – down to earth and helpful,” Bill Whitcomb said.

The Whitcombs have developed friendships with many of their patrons, ranging from local families to visitors from foreign nations.

“You wouldn’t believe the people we get in here from all over the world, because of the [Bangor] international airport,” Bill Whitcomb said.

“I can remember kids that came here when they were real young, they grew up and moved away, and then came back [to New Hermon Mountain] because it’s a special place for them,” Marge Whitcomb said.

There are new patrons daily, as well. Six-year-old William Manning of Hampden recently spent his first day on skis at the facility.

New Hermon Mountain will be open through the end of March or beginning of April, depending on conditions. Hours of operation are 3-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday; 3-10 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. For more information about Learn to Ski programs, group and private lessons, or conditions, call 848-5192. Learn to Ski packages are available for all ages, beginning with a weekend tot program for 3- and 4-year-olds.