Saddleback Mountain
Located in the Rangeley Lakes region, Maine’s third largest ski area is a little more out of the way at 2.5 hours from Portland. For those willing to make the trek, it’s a hidden gem of the western mountains that, since coming under new ownership in 2004, Saddleback has installed two new lifts, cut six new trails, debuted an overhauled base lodge, and just recently finished the 44 acre Casablanca glades, the biggest in the East.
The mountain offers a departure from Maine’s other big mountain resorts. What the rustic lodge lacks in hustle-and-bustle, it makes up for with quality skiing, and affordability. With no ticket more expensive than $49, and mid-week deals for $35, Saddleback places an emphasis on value that the ‘Rive and ‘Loaf cannot match.
$35 lift tickets for college students on Friday’s give you the perfect excuse to ditch class, and make a weekend of it.
It also has a distinctly Maine feel to it, with 90 percent of those on the slopes hailing from the state.
“Without a doubt I’d rather ski at someplace that has more of a local feel.” said Ben Slagel, a senior English major. “I think that’s why Saddleback is stealing the hardcore skiers, because it represents what places like Sugarloaf used to represent.”
Full disclosure; while New England’s second highest peak – at 2,460 ft – offers some great technical skiing, with a third of it’s 66 trails rated black diamond or higher, it’s also one of the chilliest slopes around. The fashion-forward stylings of the state’s more cosmopolitan mountains take a back-seat to practicality here, so velcro on your balacava, spring for the hand-warmers, and hope you leave the mountain with all the toes you came with.
Sunday River
Established in 1959, Sunday River is located in Newry, Maine, just outside of Bethel. Although it doesn’t offer as much of an in-state feeling as other mountains do, Sunday River gives it’s visitors a reliable mountain with some of the best ski conditions in New England.
In terms of size, Sunday River is massive compared to many resorts, as it features eight interconnected mountains with peaks that each exhibit a unique experience. Although it is a monster laterally, it lacks size vertically with its highest peak being White Cap, which stretches 1,630 ft. high.
A huge feature that Sunday River takes pride in is their snow making system, which makes more snow than any other ski resort in New England. The system covers an amazing 92 percent of the resort. This fact makes for a great day out on the slopes every day of the season and gives Sunday River the edge over the Maine mountains for early season skiing.
This well-known mountain resort is only an hour-and-a-half drive from Portland, making it a perfect day trip mountain for students at USM. With its 155 inches of annual snowfall, Sunday River is excellent getaway for those students who are powder-hunters following an unexpected winter storm.
Park riders are in luck at the “Rive”, as it rises above any Maine mountain with its superpipe, mini-pipe, and four terrain parks.
Although the desired time to visit a resort like this is on the weekends, the best time to venture out into the slopes of Sunday River is during the week because of the waves of groups that pile into Newry Friday through Sunday. Along with the ‘Loaf, the Rive can also put a strain on your wallet with its $79 lift tickets, but that’s nothing the New England College Pass can’t fix.
Sugarloaf/USA
Nestled in Maine’s Western mountains, Sugarloaf/USA Ski and Golf Resort is located in the heart of Carrabassett Valley. It covers 1,400 skiable acres from boundary to boundary, and is known as Maine’s second highest peak at 4,237 ft.
With 138 trails covering a total of 651 acres and 54 miles, Sugarloaf acts as a family friendly skiers paradise offering routes for all skill levels and abilities. For beginners, 57 percent of the mountain is made up of Green Circle and Blue Square Trails, and a combine 60 Black Diamond and Double Black Diamond trails for the more experienced skier or snowboarder.
“I like how I’m able to ski all the trails at Sugarloaf in one day if I want to,” said Audra Cianchette, a sophomore Nursing major. “It’s easy to get to know, and it’s a kind of family atmosphere that I can’t really get on any other mountain.”
The “Loaf” gets 200 inches of annual snowfall, a fact that makes it the most powder-plentiful mountain out of the three major Maine resorts.
Despite Sugarloaf’s attractive traits, it can be a little pricy due to the $75 lift ticket. The two-and-a-half hour trip from Portland can also “drive” potential visitors away.
Although Sugarloaf offers a Maine feeling for its visitors, it also has its share of out-of-staters and foreigners as well.
The tremendous atmosphere at the base of the mountain in the Loaf’s Resort Village bring people of all backgrounds together. Shops, restaurants, and bars line the streets to give Sugarloaf a traditional ski town feeling, and there is always a party to be found when the lifts close.