Sugarloaf ski resort is covered with natural snow as well as man-made snow from snowguns working at right. David Leaming/Morning Sentinel
Sugarloaf
5092 Access Road, Carrabassett Valley
1-800-THE-LOAF, sugarloaf.com
The largest ski resort in Maine and, at 4,237 feet, the second-highest peak in the state. Sugarloaf has 55 miles of groomed trails and offers Nordic and cross-country skiing, fat biking, Cat skiing, adaptive skiing and lessons. Opens Nov. 23. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the Anti-Gravity Center Complex at the base of the mountain has trampolines, a climbing wall and an indoor skate park.
Skiers ride the Sunday River Chondola to the top of North Peak. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer
Sunday River
15 South Ridge Road, Newry
(207) 824-3000, sundayriver.com
With eight interconnected mountain peaks, 135 trails and glades, 15 lifts and 2,340 vertical feet, Sunday River offers Nordic skiing, snowboarding and cross-country, starting with weekends only in late November. Special events include Thanksgiving weekend specials, demo day (try out new skis, Nov. 30), Santa Sunday (Dec. 8) and Winter Fest, celebrating Sunday River’s 60th anniversary (Dec. 13-15). Night skiing is available Friday and Saturday nights Dec. 14-March 14.
Shawnee Peak
119 Mountain Road, Bridgton
(207) 647-8444, shawneepeak.com
The most night skiing in New England and the longest operating ski resort in Maine, all just an hour from Portland. Offers 40 trails, seven glades and three terrain parks, with snowmaking on 98 percent of the terrain. Ski and snowboard rentals and children’s group lessons are available. Opens mid-December.
Young snowboarders ride a quad lift at Shawnee Peak in Bridgton. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer
Black Mountain of Maine
39 Glover Road, Rumford
(207) 364-8977, skiblackmountain.org
A nonprofit ski resort offering surprisingly affordable Nordic skiing, snowboarding, lessons, racing and tubing but open only Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Black Mountain has 50 trails and glades, 10 miles of world-class Nordic trials and 70 percent snowmaking coverage. Opens in December, once the snow flies.
Lost Valley
200 Lost Valley Road, Auburn
(207) 784-1561, lostvalleyski.com
Eight beginner trails and nearly 5 miles of groomed trails for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and fat-tire biking. Offers ski and snowboard rentals, adaptive skiing and racing. Plans to open Dec. 15.
Camden Snow Bowl
20 Barnestown Road, Camden
(207) 236-3438, camdensnowbowl.com
Maine’s only ski resort with ocean views from the summit. Opens mid- to late December. Skis, snowboards and snowshoes are available for rent. Camden Snow Bowl, which is owned and maintained by the town of Camden’s Parks and Recreation Department, offers lessons for children and adults, competitive programs and a 440-foot toboggan chute. Registration for the U.S. National Toboggan Championships (Feb. 7-9) is now open.
– AMY PARADYSZ
The views of the ocean make Camden Snow Bowl a unique ski resort in Maine. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer
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