Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine — in the Western Maine Mountains near the town of Bethel — is the largest ski destination in Maine and one of the most substantial ski resorts in the northeastern United States. The resort spans eight interconnected mountain peaks with 135 named trails covering 870 acres of terrain served by 17 lifts, including a high-speed eight-passenger gondola and multiple detachable quad chairlifts. Sunday River's defining competitive asset is its snowmaking system: more than 1,800 snowguns drawing from dedicated snowpond reservoirs can cover 98 percent of the resort's terrain with machine-made snow, enabling reliable opening around Thanksgiving and consistent trail conditions through April regardless of natural snowfall. This infrastructure distinguishes Sunday River from many northeastern ski areas and makes it a dependable destination in variable-snow winters. The eight peaks — South Ridge, Barker, Spruce, North Peak, Aurora, Oz, Locke, and Sugarbush — form a connected ridgeline allowing skiers to traverse the full mountain without descending to the base area. Beginner and lower-intermediate terrain is concentrated on South Ridge, with a dedicated learning area and ski school programs based at South Ridge Lodge. Expert terrain, including White Heat on Oz Peak — one of the longest, steepest consistently pitched runs in the eastern United States — anchors the other end of the skill spectrum. The base areas at South Ridge and Jordan provide ski-in/ski-out lodging at the Grand Summit Hotel, multiple restaurants and bars, rental shops, and a full-service ski school offering lessons for all ages and ability levels. A resort shuttle connects Portland Jetport to Sunday River ($50 each way, advance reservation required through the resort website). Beyond ski season, Sunday River operates a lift-served mountain bike park, a zip-line tour, and an aerial adventure course from June through September, making it a four-season destination in the Western Maine Mountains. The resort is approximately three hours north of Portland via Route 26.
Good to know
- Hours
- Ski season typically Dec–April; lifts open daily 9:00–16:00
- Best time
- January–March for best snow conditions
Location
15 S Ridge Road, Newry, ME 04261
44.4770, -70.8566 View on map
Highlights
- Eight interconnected mountain peaks with 135 trails and 870 acres — the largest ski terrain network in Maine
- 98% snowmaking coverage from 1,800-plus snowguns enabling reliable season-long conditions from Thanksgiving through April
- White Heat on Oz Peak — one of the longest, steepest consistently pitched expert runs in the eastern United States
- High-speed eight-passenger gondola and 17 total lifts connecting all eight mountain peaks
- Year-round mountain biking park and zip-line course in summer — lift-served trails open June through September
Tips for visiting
- Buy lift tickets online in advance at sundayriver.com; window prices are higher and advance packages offer the best value
- Mid-week visits in January and February offer the shortest lift queues and equivalent snow quality to peak weekends
- Reserve ski school lessons for children and beginners online at least one week ahead during school vacation periods
- South Ridge base area has the easiest parking access; Jordan base is better positioned for intermediate and advanced terrain
- The resort shuttle from Portland Jetport ($50 each way) requires advance reservation through the resort website
When to visit
January through March for the best snow conditions with the most terrain open. Early January and mid-March offer strong skiing with lower prices than peak February vacation weeks. June through September for lift-served mountain biking and aerial adventure activities in the Western Maine Mountains.
Accessibility
Sunday River offers adaptive ski programs and maintains accessible ski-in/ski-out lodging at the Grand Summit Hotel. Base lodge facilities at South Ridge and Jordan are accessible from the main parking areas. Visitors requiring adaptive skiing equipment or specialized instruction should contact the ski school in advance to arrange appropriate services and equipment availability.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a day at Sunday River Ski Resort take?
Lifts operate 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during ski season. The resort's size — eight peaks and 135 trails — rewards a full day or multi-day visit to fully explore the terrain range. Most visitors plan at least two days to cover the mountain.
Is Sunday River suitable for beginner skiers?
Yes. South Ridge has a dedicated beginner area, a full-service ski school for all ages, gentle starter trails, and an on-site rental shop. The resort layout allows beginners and experts to share lodging and meet for meals while skiing completely separate terrain.
When is the best time to ski at Sunday River?
January through March offers the best conditions with the most terrain open. February school vacation weeks are the busiest and most expensive period. Early January and mid-March typically provide strong snow quality with lower lift prices and shorter queues.