Sunday River &
Sugarloaf - Maines World Class Ski
Destinations
These ski resorts are full service
destinations with extensive lift networks, snowmaking and programming for every member of
the family and all ability levels. Each resort has amenities from lodging, shops and
restaurants to keep you busy for a weeks ski vacation.
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Sugarloaf/USA
Route 27, Carrabassett Valley
- 800-THELOAF, Info:
207-237-2000, Snow Phone:
207-237-6808
- Sugarloaf/USA is
Maine’s largest single ski mountain, with a breathtaking summit and
miles of exciting trail options, from snowfields to groomed
cruisers. This quintessential Maine ski resort features extensive
terrain for all abilities and an award winning slopeside village
brimming with activities, fabulous restaurants, shops, and resort
lodging from hotels to inns to condominiums.
- Vertical Drop:
2,820’. 1,410 Skiable Acres. 133 Trails: 35
Beginner, 40 Intermediate,
58 Expert Trails &
Glades. 15 Lifts: 4 quads (2 high speed), 1 Triple, 8 Doubles, 2
Surface Lifts. 94% Snowmaking. Terrain parks and pipes.
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Sunday
River
Off Route 2, Bethel
- 800-543-2SKI
/ Snow reports 207-824-5200
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Sunday
River’s eight interconnected mountain peaks are consistently covered
by Legendary Sunday River snow. High capacity quads and guaranteed
snow on all of the River’s 660 acres of terrain make this a skier’s
paradise. A favorite lunch spot is the on mountain North Peak Lodge,
which has a spacious deck for those sunny days. There are plenty of
activities, lodging and facilities to enjoy on and off the slopes at
this original American Ski Company resort.
- Vertical Drop:
2,340’. 131 Trails: 42 Beginner, 49
Intermediate, 40 Black Diamond. 18 Lifts:
9 Quads (4 high speed), 4 Triples, 2 Doubles, 3 Surface Lifts. 92%
Snowmaking.
Terrain parks and pipes.
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- Maine’s Big
Mountain Skiing
- Other big
mountains in Maine (with greater than 1000’vertical) offering great
terrain and some of the resort amenities, while still preserving
their quaint family area feeling.
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Black
Mountain
Route 2, Rumford.
207-364-8977

- This small, family
recreation area is operated by Maine Winter
Sports Center and is located in Longfellow’s mountain range. Black
has a little something for everyone, including a summit triple
chair accessing scenic long runs. Beginners have plenty of room
to learn on Milk Run serviced by its own double
chair. 17 kilometers of
groomed cross-country trails with a designated
Touring Center, plus snow tubing on five chutes make for exciting
alternatives.
- Vertical Drop
1,150’, 5 Lifts: 1 Triple, 1 Double Chair, 2 Handle
Tows, 1 T-bar. 20 Trails: 4 Beginner, 10 Intermediate, 6 Most Difficult.
90%
Snowmaking. Terrain park and pipe. 300’ Tubing lift with 5 chutes.
Night skiing. Post and Beam Baselodge with
Cafeteria, Lounge and Ski Shop with Rentals.
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Mt. Abram
How Hill Road, Route 26, Greenwood
207-875-5000
- This fun ski
mountain feels bigger than its statistics belie. Beginners have
their own Westside learning area,
while intermediates take
cruisers like Dudley Do Right and Bullwinkle. Experts go for the
double black steeps of Rocky’s Run. Every
Saturday, racers can test their skills in the NASTAR course. The 1,325'
Flying Squirrel snow-tubing park has a
special lift for even more fun. This family friendly ski area is
located 10 minutes south of Bethel.
- Vertical Drop 1,150’.
44 Trails: 10
Beginner, 21 Intermediate,
13 Most Difficult &
Glades. 5 Lifts: 2 Doubles, 1 T-Bar, 1 Handle Tow,
1 Magic Carpet.
85%
Snowmaking. Night skiing. Terrain park.
Ski School, day care, ski shop with rentals, cafeteria & Loose Boots
Lounge.
- Open Thursday-Sunday & Holidays,
Night skiing Friday & Saturday.
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Saddleback
Rt. 4, Rangeley 207-864-5671
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The highest base elevation of any ski area in New
England.
Saddleback offers classic New England skiing with old fashioned flair and stunning views of
the Rangeley Lakes region. Under new ownership,
skiers will find the same friendly feel - with a beautiful post and
beam base lodge, improved lifts and new terrain. Intermediate
skiers love cruisers like
Royal Coachman off the
Rangeley double chair. The upper mountain Kennebago
T-bar, which is a challenge in itself, serves some very
challenging terrain like Warden's Worry and
Nightmare Glades. A long climb/traverse out to Mule Skinner
offers a virtual out of bounds experience. The Swig-n-Smelt
Lounge has lively local après-ski.
- Vertical Drop
2,000’. 60 Trails: 20 Beginner, 19
Intermediate, 21 Black Diamond. 5 Lifts:
1 Quad, 2 Double Chairs, 2 T-Bars. 85% Snowmaking.
Terrain park and pipe. Expansive lodge with cafeteria, Rental & Ski Shop, Daycare,
and Tavern.
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Shawnee
Peak
Route 302, Bridgton 207-647-8444
- "Sneak to the
Peak" for great family skiing, only 45 minutes from Portland. This
is also New England’s largest night skiing and boarding facility.
This mountain offers great skiing on 2 sides, and awesome views of
Mount Washington. As a family ski mountain, the Peak offers some
innovative super savers and family lift ticket deals for day, night
and twilight.
- Vertical Drop
1300’. 44 Trails: 6
Beginner, 24 Intermediate, 14
Most Difficult, 19 Night Skiing: 5 Lifts:
1 Quad, 2 Triples, 1 Double, and 1 Carpet. 99%
Snowmaking. Night skiing. Terrain
Park and pipe. Ski School, SkiWEE program, childcare,
and Blizzard's Pub.
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Big
Squaw Mountain
Route 15, Greenville 207-695-1000
- Big Squaw, a few
scant miles from Moosehead Lake, has big mountain skiing with a
classic New England trail layout. An old double chair offering some
excellent terrain for advanced intermediates and experts services
the summit. (Note: The summit lift is not scheduled to operate
this season, therefore the only lift is the lower mountain triple
accessing 800' vertical of modest beginner/intermediate terrain). A
lower mountain triple chair caters
to intermediate and beginner skiers with gentle, wandering terrain.
The stunning views of Moosehead Lake and Mount Katahdin in the
distance are arguably the best in the Northeast! Squaw is not fancy,
it’s hearty and unadorned, with a very low lift ticket price!
- Vertical Drop
1750’. 31 Trails: 9
Beginner, 14 Intermediate,
8 Most Difficult plus
glades. 3 Lifts: Triple Chair, Summit Double Chair (closed
till further notice), Pony lift. 70%
Snowmaking. Cafeteria, ski shop and an on-mountain
56 room hotel.
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- Maine’s
Family Recreational Ski Areas
- These ski areas
come in various shapes and sizes, but what they all have in common
are affordable skiing and fun for the entire family.
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Big Rock Ski
Area
Rt. 1A, Mars Hill. 207-425-6711
- Bigrock is a big
ski mountain, drawing skiing families from nearby Presque Isle and
Houlton. Under the direction of Maine Winter Sports, pricing and
lessons are geared to make skiing fun and affordable for families. Mars Hill Mountain has something for every ability level,
including night skiing. For steep and challenging terrain,
head out to the Ho Chi Min trail.
- Vertical 980’. 5 Lifts: 1
Triple and 1 Double Chair, 1 Poma, 1 handle tow, and 1 carpet. 27
Trails: 8 Expert, 14 Intermediate, 5 Beginner. 80% Snowmaking.
Terrain Park, plus 4 Lanes of Tubing. Cafeteria,
Night skiing, Lounge, Ski Rentals.
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Camden
Snow Bowl
Hosmer Pond Road, Camden
- 207-236-3438 /
207-236-4418 Snow Conditions
- "Where the
Mountain Meets the Sea". It is truly a unique experience to be
skiing and enjoying views of the Atlantic and Penobscot Bay. Classic
New England trails like
Spinnaker
and Northeaster offer nearly 1,000 vertical of exhilaration. Camden
Snow Bowl offers affordable family skiing or riding by the sea by
day or under the lights at night,
plus
a
500’ Snow Tubing Hill and 400’ Toboggan chute, ice-skating on the
pond.
Vertical Drop:
950’. 3 Lifts: 1 Double Chair, 2 T-Bars.
10 Trails: 2 Beginner,
7 Intermediate, 1 Most Difficult.
Terrain park. 45% Snowmaking.
Eaton
Mountain
Lambert Road, Skowhegan 207-474-2666
Eaton offers a
large mountain experience with everything from glades to a snowboard
park, and affordable tickets for the entire family. Lights cover the
622’ mountain for night skiing seven days a week.
Vertical Drop:
622’. 1 Double Chair. 18 Trails: 5 Beginner, 7 Intermediate, 6 Most
Difficult. Terrain Park. 100% Snowmaking. Night skiing 7 nights a week. Ski
School, Rentals, Cafeteria & Lounge.
Lost
Valley
Lost Valley Road, Exit 75 ME Turnpike, Auburn
207-784-1561
Lost Valley has been a family owned and operated ski area for
three generations. Two Chairs and a T-bar service 15 trails
including the Beaver Snowboard Park. Enjoy cruising on wide-open
Bobcat and Big Buck. Ideally located within 5 minutes of downtown
Lewiston/Auburn, the popular ski by the hour ticket means there is
no excuse not to do a little day or night skiing this season.
Vertical Drop: 240’. 3 Lifts: 2 Double Chairs, 1 T-Bar. 16
Trails: 6 Beginner, 4 Intermediate, 6 Most Difficult. Terrain Park. 100%
Snowmaking. Ski School, Rentals, and Cafeteria.
Lonesome Pine
Trails
Fort Kent,
207-834-5202
This affordable family oriented ski area,
located in the northern tip of the state, overlooks the scenic St.
John River Valley. Bordering Canada, natural snowfall at this ski
area is abundant. Lonesome Pines also offers World Class Nordic
trails.
Vertical Drop 500’. 2 Lifts: 1 T-bar, 1 J-bar. 13
trails: 1 Beginner, 7
Intermediate, and 53 Most Difficult.
Halfpipe & Snowboard Park. 60% Snowmaking, Night Skiing, Lodge and Café, Ski School, Rentals.
Mt. Jefferson
Rt 6, Lee,
207-738-2377
This is the epitome of a family owned and operated ski area,
since 1964. Jefferson’s 12
trails are reliant on Mother Nature, but with fresh snow the ½ mile
Willow Way takes a scenic & gradual path around the mountain. Inside
the rustic lodge, skiers find lunch under $5 and of course, friendly conversation is
free.
Vertical Drop 432’. 3 Lifts: 2 T-bars, 1 rope tow. 12
trails: 3 Beginner, 6
Intermediate, and 3 Most Difficult.
Halfpipe. Cafeteria, Ski School, Rentals.
New Hermon
Mountain
Newburg Road, Hermon, 207-848-5192
"Good People, Good Times, Good Skiing, Good Food" is their
slogan. Overlooking Hermon Pond are great cruisers like Cloud Nine, Scenic and Lakeview.
So close to Bangor, Hermon is convenient and affordable for Maine
families.
Vertical Drop 350’. 3 Lifts: 1
Double Chair, 1 T-Bar, 1 Handle Tow.
20 Trails: 6
Beginner, 7 Intermediate,
7 Most Difficult. Halfpipe. 100% Snowmaking.
Night skiing. Ski School and Rentals,
Cafeteria.
Quoggy Jo Ski
Center
Fort Fairfield, Presque Isle, 207-764-3248
Located in Presque Isle, Quoggy Jo is perfect for first time
skiers and young families. A ski playground with animated figurines
keep the kids entertained while they learn to turn. At the summit is
a state of the art Biathlon Center with world-class Nordic skiing
and a training facility for the US Biathlon team. This facility is
under the direction of the
Maine Winter
Sports Center which also operates Black and Big Rock.
Vertical Drop 215’. 1 T-bar. 5 Trails: 2
Beginner, 3 Intermediate.
Spruce
Mountain
Jay, 207-897-4090
Located in central Maine, Spruce is a quaint family ski hill,
run primarily by volunteers since 1960. It takes three rope tows to
get to the top. On the banks for the Androscoggin River, this family
friendly hill is old
fashioned right down to the affordable ticket prices.
Vertical Drop 300’. 3 Rope Tows. 11 Trails:
3
Beginner, 5 Intermediate, 3 Most Difficult.
50% Snowmaking.
Night skiing. Nordic Trails.
Titcomb
Mountain
Route 4 & 27, West Farmington 207-778-9031
Just outside of Farmington, Titcomb is a like a country club of
ski hills. Dating back to 1932, this veritable skiers’ museum is the
oldest club-operated ski area in the country, founded by the Titcomb
family. Now owned and operated by the Farmington Ski Club, members
and visitors alike enjoy non-existent lines at their two T-bars plus
uncrowded trails and very reasonable lift tickets.
Vertical Drop 340’. 2 T-Bars, 1 handle tow. 15
Trails: 4 Beginner, 5 Intermediate,
6 Most Difficult. Terrain Park. 75% Snowmaking.
Night skiing. Base Lodge with cafeteria and
a big fireplace.
Winter
Recreation Centers
Oxford Plains Snow Tubing
Route 26, Oxford 207-539-2454
This Tubing Hill is conveniently located right on Route 26. With
four tubing lanes, served by a lift and covered with 100%
snowmaking, this is a fun way to embrace winter. The 100' vertical
hill is open weekends and holidays.
Seacoast
Snow Park
Route 302, Windham
207-892-5952
This Snow Park now has a 5 acre terrain park
(with 100' vertical drop). It is also a learning and practice
facility with a terrain garden for snowboards and the latest rage in
ski equipment - ski boards. Learn to snowboard and ski board
programs and packages are available.
Snowmaking. 2 Tow Lifts. Lit up at Night.
Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, School Vacation Weeks and
School Snow Days. Base Lodge with Sports Lounge and Big Screen TV,
food service, arcade, ski school and rentals.
All Stories by Heather
Burke
All Photography by
Greg Burke
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