Sunday River Ski Vacation Guide

With three base lodges and over 150 inches of natural snow, as well as full snow making capacities, Sunday River Resort is the perfect place for ski and snowboarding fans.

Ski Levels

With 132 trails spread across eight mountain peaks, there's literally a trail for everyone, as well as four terrain parks, a minipipe, quarterpipe, and a superpipe to test your mettle. This resort courts the beginning and intermediate skier, but experts will find plenty of challenges as well. Not only do they make snow obsessively, they groom it obsessively, so you'll always have fresh powder and smooth terrain.

Families have a lot to do and see near the resort. In addition to skiing, snowboarding, taking lessons, snow tubing, dogs sledding, sleigh rides, ice climbing, skating, snowcatting, and snowmobiling, there's indoor fun to be had in the winter with a climbing rock wall, laser tag, arcade action, and more.

Après Ski

The town of Bethel is only five miles away and Portland is only about an hour-and-a-half, so you can enjoy nearby eateries, shops, entertainments, and attractions and enjoy some of the local north-eastern flavor. Seafood is the word of the day just as it is in most Maine areas, coastal or not. You can enjoy sea and shore meals, mountain dining, burgers and fries, or look for finer and Mediterranean dining options. Shops from Sunday River to Portland give you everything you need, as well as local handcrafted items and souvenirs.

Nightlife and après ski opportunities abound. There are family friendly restaurants, and bar and grills where everyone can enjoy an evening of snacks, beverages, and entertainment, as well as beautiful views of the slopes. A microbrewery in the area supplies local beer to area bars, pubs, and taverns. With over 10 to choose from, as well as over 20 restaurants that offer liquors, beers, cocktails, and wines, the hardest part is choosing where to go and what to enjoy.

Sunday River Snowboard Vacation Guide


Riders Guide

A top Maine resort, Sunday River offers 132 trails and 18 lifts, including four high-speed quads, five quads, four triples, and two doubles. The resort receivers about 155 inches of snow per year, but their huge fleet of snow cannons and precise grooming schedule help ensure that the powder is fresh. About a quarter of the trails are each beginner and expert, with about 20 percent expert trails and most at an intermediate level. The longest run is about three miles long, so brace yourself for skiing excitement.

Parks and Pipes

Four terrain parks offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced features for riders. A park just for kids offers things like a 10-foot jump, rollers, rails, and banks. A mini-pipe and park just for beginning adults has the same types of features but on a larger scale. Their 3D Park offers intermediate snowboarding with a mini-mogul, flat boxes, and rails designed for the rider working on skills. And Rocking Chair Park can offer challenges and fun for even the most experienced rider, with 40-foot jumps, C and S boxes, saddle boxes, battleship rails, a wall ride, and a quarter-pipe. The resort also boasts a superpipe for extreme snowboarding action.

Out of Bounds

Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other winter activities like ice climbing, snowcatting, sledding, snowmobiling, and ice fishing are available. Kids can enjoy indoor wall and rock climbing, laser tag, and fun indoor park activities as well. Snow tubing and ice skating offer even more winter enjoyment. Dog sledding, ski and snowboard competitions, and a variety of festivals and events await you.

Hangout & Hookup

There are fun places for the younger crowd and adults as well. Ski bars, pubs, taverns, and full-service restaurants with full bars offer fun for everyone around the mountain and in Bethel. There are over 30 different restaurants and bars and even a microbrewery with fresh, local brew on tap. Live entertainment and dancing are just some of the fun to be found at Sunday River.

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