Sunday River
Honoring The Past, Embracing The Future

A lot has happened in 50 years. So much so, that we have dedicated a book to it. Written by long-time Sunday River fan and former Sunday River Director of Ski Patrol, Dave Irons, the Sunday River book provides a great historical look at the resort and the people that influenced the changes that brought us to where we are today. Below is an excerpt from the book talking about Sunday River's very first opening day.

To purchase your copy visit Sunday River Sports in South Ridge Lodge.

Opening Day

December 19, 1959 marked the first day of operation for the Sunday River Skiway. There were no records of how many skied that first day, but we do know that snow had been limited that year and the only skiable terrain was the lower part of Lower Cascades and the Rocking Chair. Skiers were instructed to unload at the 1,00o foot spot, a point halfway up the new 3,200 foot T-bar where the lift line leveled off a bit making the unloading easier. To the left they could ski the intermediate Cascades and to the right the novice Rocking Chair.

At the appointed hour a line of skiers was at the T-bar ready to make the first runs. The first T-bar was occupied by Paul Kailey and his son Peter, with Mike Thurston and son David on the next. The order after that is uncertain but it is reasonable to assume that many skiers who had ridden up the rope tow on Vernon Street were on hand along with other skiers from surrounding towns. This writer was part of that group, along with two skiing buddies, Jim Jackson and John Tucker, also from South Paris.

After fifty years no one could say how many runs they took on such limited terrain that day, but the memories of thin cover remain. Dave Thurston recalled the water at the bottom of the first pitch on Rocking Chair which destroyed a number of the wood skis that were prevalent. Head’s metal skis were available, but not many skiers had made the switch at that time. Wood skis, from Paris manufacturing were more likely to be seen, with the occasional Northlands or Kastles, although the sixties would quickly change that.