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Sunday River Ski Holidays

At a glance

  • 8 peaks
  • Ski-in/Ski-out

Great for

  • Beginners
  • Boarders
  • Families

Ski Holidays in Sunday River

Any resort trending for the hashtag #Happyplacefound is going to be good, and for an adventure-seeker, Sunday River is possibly paradise. Well-integrated, efficient lifts span not one, not two, but EIGHT different mountains - in a resort where skiing 25 runs, scoffing sticky buns and dining with a Yeti is all in a day’s work.

  • Flight Time
  • 9 hours
  • From London
  • Nearest Airports
  • Denver, Jackson Hole etc.
  • Time zone
  • GMT -5 to -8 hours
  • Language
  • English
  • Currency
  • US Dollar
  • Ski Season
  • Dec - April

Sunday River Stats

Top Altitude
3140ft / 960m
Bottom Altitude
800ft / 240m
Resort Altitude
800ft / 240m
Total Piste
870 acres / 135 runs
Longest Run
3 miles / 4.8km
Slope Orientation
NE NW
Vertical Drop
2340 feet / 710m
Skiable Vertical
Night Skiing
Yes
Glacier Skiing
No

It was 1958 when a handful of skiers scaled Locke Mountain and hacked the first trails down through the Maine woods.

Today, Locke’s just one of the 8 peaks in Sunday’s ski area, each with its own unique personality. Whether you spend all of your time on fierce White Cap (a masterclass in expert skiing), or the peak of endless, groomed perfection, Jordan Bowl (where views stretch to the Atlantic), there’s a diversity to the terrain here that you have to admire.

There are 2000 skiable acres in all and the resort’s boundary-to-boundary policy encourages you to ski every last one of them (just don’t duck ropes).

The River isn’t “just down the road” from anywhere substantial, but its remoteness gives us a lot to be thankful for - the 6th biggest ski area in New England rarely sees lift lines.

The River isn’t “just down the road” from anywhere substantial, but its remoteness gives us a lot to be thankful for - the 6th biggest ski area in New England rarely sees lift lines.

With 870 acres over 8 different peaks, there are some fantastic runs here of all colours and creeds. What’s really remarkable is how many you can ski before the lifts wind down. Thanks to a lack of lift lines and lots of high-speed quads, it's not unusual to fit in well over 20 runs a day (even on weekends) – just don’t lose your piste map!

Winter Sports Ratings

Beginners

Intermediate

Advanced

Snowboarding

Sunday River Transfer Times

Portland International Jetport 81 miles, 1 hour 40 mins

The nearest airport to Sunday River is Portland at 120 km or about ? by car

What's the ski area like in Sunday River?

While beginners often draw the short straw where terrain is concerned, this isn’t the case in Sunday where they have the pick of 33% of all runs. There’s a huge beginner area at the South Ridge Lodge, with three lifts, a carpet, high speed quad, Chondola and 16 green runs (on last count). And in previous years the ticket office has sold a special reduced “beginner ticket” to access them all. Keeping very-first-timers mostly in one area provides much-needed peace, while there are greens strewn here, there and everywhere for an adventure. Hourly “Perfect Turn” drop-in ski classes were pioneered here – and often mean you’ll have a group lesson all to yourself. When these have you fighting fit, take the Cowardly Lion from the top of Oz and work your way down.

This ski area is a smorgasbord of terrain for an intermediate, and even many of the black runs are manageable when groomed. One of a million possible itineraries - tuck into Spruce Peak for a start, then take a turn on Aurora’s lovely blue Northern Lights, making sure to stop for sticky buns at North Peak. Finish it all off with a challenge by venturing up Locke mountain and connecting Goat Path, Lazy River and Tourist Trap, or take it easy on the Jordan Bowl’s Lollapalooza, 1.5 miles of mellow cruising in view of the Mahoosuc and Presidential mountains.

With black diamonds and double diamonds from each of the peaks, you can work your way from east to west sampling the best of them. White Cap peak is known for its formidable terrain and White Heat here is considered something of a rite of passage bump run. You’ll also want to spend a good amount of time on Oz, for steeps like Ruby Palace and Emerald City, and Gnarnia off of Spruce Peak should not be missed by any who loves a good cliff. If you grow weary of groomers, the off-piste is super accessible and glades are ten a penny. Try Blind Ambition for entry-level black diamond glade skiing.

Boarders can take their pick of 8 terrain parks, with everything from a 16ft-walled superpipe to a teeny-weeny mini pipe. And the fun doesn’t have to end at 4pm. Several nights a week lights are left on for night skiing, including a floodlit half-pipe, with an innovative surface lift to bring boarders back to the top.

Which other ski resorts are near to Sunday River?

The nearest ski resorts to Sunday River include Loon, Stowe.

Ski Area Facts

LocationMaine, USA
Established1959
Downhill870 acres / 135 runs
Lift Pass$79-99 (adult 1 day)

Beginner Slopes

33%

Intermediate Skiing

36%

Advance & Expert Terrain

21%

Snowboarding Trails

870 acres / 135 runs100%

Sunday River Restaurants

Sunday River Après Ski

Sunday River Activites for Non-skiers

Clothing Food & Souvenir Shops

There are half a dozen good ski and sports shops by the mountain, including the American Skiing Company's own Crisports outlets. For greater shopping variety you need to head for the speciality stores of Bethel, which include antiques, craft and pottery outlets as well as all the essentials. It's normally possible to take in a major factory outlet mall en route to or from the resort from major international airports like Boston to the south.

Best Time to Visit Sunday River

Sunday River is serious about its snowmaking; topping up its average 151 inches a year with snow guns on 90% of its trails. Comprising the world’s largest high-pressure system, this spews out 9000 gallons of water a minute as fine, white snow and makes Sunday River the first resort in the east to open (often in early November). Fortunately, thanks to modest crowds and lots of north facing slopes, coverage has a reasonably long life. To play it safest, book a trip in the biggest snow month, March, which sees an average fall of 50 inches, or February, not far behind with 49.

What's Sunday River like at Christmas?

This resort loves Xmas so much, it starts the celebrations early, previously offering free lift tickets to skiers who’ve donned the old red suit at the beginning of December. Whether you’re waking up to presents in your own private condo or staying at a hotel for activities like ornament and cookie decoration, choose a Christmas in Sunday River to make sure “the most wonderful time of year” really is wondrous.

What's Sunday River like in the New Year?

Just like its peaks, New Year in Sunday River comes in all shapes and sizes, whether you prefer themed dinner parties (reached by Chondola), live music and beers with a hundred new besties or enjoying photo booths, inflatable sumo suits, and fire dancers with the family.

What's Sunday River like in Half-Term?

All the slopeside accommodation means none of your precious minutes are wasted getting to and fro on a Half Term in Sunday River, and the superfast lift system means you can watch the miles rack up – the extra time it takes to get here is a shrewd investment. And kids can’t get enough - with beginner bliss in the South Ridge area, hours of fun with Eddy the Yeti, and everything from arcades to ziplines.

What's Sunday River like at Easter?

With annual Easter egg hunts and special brunches throughout the mountain restaurants, we love Easter in Sunday River. And with one of the most advanced snowmaking systems in the US, coverage is rarely an issue.

Sunday River Snow Conditions

Snow Report, History & Forecast

View our detailed Sunday River snow report to see skiing confitions now. Our Sunday River snow history shows you what snow depths have been in recent years month-by-month. If you're visiting soon, use the Sunday River snow forecast to see predicted snowfall over the coming days.

  • Sunny skies Today
  • Partly cloudy skies Sunday
  • Light snow Monday
  • Light snow Tuesday
  • Light snow Wednesday
  • Light snow Thursday
  • Current snow depth at top
    55 cm
  • Alternate Text
  • Current snow depth at base
    33 cm

For learners, facilities on the snow include the Perfect Kid program for young skiers aged from 3, and snowboarders from age 7. In recent years, they’ve had 'floating teachers' moving between classes to make sure all are getting the attention they need.

Eddy the Yeti and girlfriend Betty are also always putting in appearances to give encouragement, and they have a special home in the Enchanted Forest trail on North Peak that skiers and snowboarders can pay a call to throughout the week.

Thanks to the sheer variety of its terrain, pioneering ski school, and activities like ziplines, arcades, pools and cinema trips, Sunday River scores full marks from skiing families, many of whom make it their annual getaway. If your young ones are comfortable with blue runs, planning and executing an epic journey around the 8 peaks really is a bonding experience like no other. You can even book family dinners with Eddy, so that the kids get facetime with the furry fellow.

If some of your brood are too young for the slats, this resort has 3 different day care centres, catering for kids aged 6 weeks to 6 years.

Off the slopes, make some memories and spend quality time night tubing, skating or ziplining through the tree tops. Keep your nose to the ground for even more organised fun. Black Diamond Entertainment is always running special fireworks shows, laser tag competitions, even reptile shows just for the heck of it.

With runs across 8 peaks of all different shapes and sizes and the largest collection of ski-in/ski-out accommodation in the East, Sunday River shows groups all of abilities a good time and makes for a week of extremely productive skiing and riding. On days the floodlights are turned on, nothing beats skiing all the way till 8 followed by a blowout at the Foggy Goggle.

Each week has its own theme and festival in Sunday River, so be sure to check out what’s going on during yours. As if they needed more incentive, groups of 20 or more have often seen discounts on lift tickets, and added extras like free tickets or packages for group leaders.

Whoever’s in charge of the itinerary, don’t miss the live bands at Rockin’ and Roastin’ Café, a new addition from Aerosmith drummer, Joey Kramer, or the food, fun and 8 glass microbrew “sliders” down in historic Bethel.

Images from Sunday River Resort.

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Ski Extras

How much is a ski pass in Sunday River

Maximum and minimum adult Sunday River lift pass prices ranged from $489 to $489 for 6 days access to the Sunday River ski lift system at the start of the 2025 winter season. Our lift passes are part of a packaged Sunday River holiday with accommodation, so prices vary depending on chalet or hotel suppliers. Confirm price for the lift ticket before booking your holiday.

Lift Tickets Child Adult Senior
1 Day Price $60 - $69 $89 - $105 $60 - $69
6 Day Price $359 - $359 $489 - $489 $359 - $359
Age Range 6 - 12 19 - 64 65+

Getting to Sunday River

Most of our ski holidays to Sunday River packaged with flights include airport transfers. We can also arrange private transfers to Sunday River from nearby airports

How long does it take to fly to Sunday River from the UK?

Flights from London take about 9 hours to Denver, Jackson Hole etc.. This table shows approximate transfer times to Sunday River from the nearest airports, smaller airports can be more prone to delays.

Airport Distance Transfer Time
Portland 120 km ?
Boston 282 km ?

How long is the transfer from nearest United States train station to Sunday River?

The transfer time from alpine train stations are generally shorter than from airports, Call us for details of Sunday River transfers.

Station Distance Transfer Time
Bethel 10 km 10 minutes

Sunday River Maps

Sunday River piste map
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Regional map
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Town Map
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Sunday River Ski Holiday Resources

Need help choose your Sunday River ski holiday? Call us on 020 7770 6888 or click Enquire - we love to help!

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Similar Ski Resorts to Sunday River in United States


Every Sno holiday packaged with flights is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. All our suppliers are ATOL bonded, so your money is safe. In addition to this, payments for your holiday are held in trust, by NatWest bank and the Travel Trust, who insure every booking against supplier failure.

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© 2025 SNO Group Ltd • company no. 5995288 • VAT no. 946 9394 63 SNO, Apsley House, 176 Upper Richmond Road, London, SW15 2SH.

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