Bauneg Beg Mountain-North Berwick, Maine

Bauneg Beg Mountain is a hidden gem in North Berwick, known for being the only major peak in York County without a communication tower. Managed by the Great Works Regional Land Trust, the area features approximately 164 (North & South) acres of deciduous forest and three distinct peaks. Historically, the mountain was used by mariners to navigate the Maine coast and once even served as a small ski area.

Bauneg Beg Mountain’s ski area began in January 1937 when the Bauneg Beg Outing Club formed in North Berwick, Maine. The club carved out a trail on land generously donated by Bernard Quint near the 860-foot mountain, installing a rope tow powered by a Ford engine for $825.

The operation grew quickly. By 1938, membership reached 225, electricity was added for a snack bar and floodlights, and the grand opening drew around 1,000 people. The following weekend brought 1,500 skiers under ideal conditions, with free buses running from Sanford, Biddeford, and Portland. The main trail, called Devils Den — over 2,000 feet long — was famous for its boulders and trees, requiring modifications for safety.

The club reorganized as the Bauneg Beg Development Corporation with ambitious plans, aided by Philip Hussey of the Hussey Manufacturing Company, which was a regional innovator in ski equipment, building jumps and chairlifts across the country and beyond.