Infrastructure Upgrades

New Surface Lifts to Improve Learning Terrain and Competition Venues

Sunday River Resort is installing four new surface lifts in preparation for winter 2019/20. These surface lifts will include three covered conveyor lifts to access the learning terrain on South Ridge, as well as a T-bar on Locke Mountain for alpine race and boardercross training and competitions.

With the new and beginner skier in mind, the resort will replace the existing surface lift on the Sundance trail in South Ridge with three new covered conveyors, which will allow for easier access to the learning terrain, and the ability to implement more progressive steps to the learning process with terrain-based learning elements from SNOW Operating. The Lower Sundance Surface Lift will be an 80-foot conveyor from the SnowSports School to the Sundance trail. The Middle Sundance Surface Lift will be a 250-foot conveyor located in the center of the trail. From there, skiers and snowboarders can either descend down Sundance, or continue on to the Upper Sundance Surface Lift. The third lift will be 280-feet long, also located in trail-center, and will go to the top of the Sundance learning area.

In partnership with Gould Academy, construction of the new Gould Academy Surface Lift on Locke Mountain began earlier this summer. The T-bar will be used for training and competitions on the Monday Mourning trail and adjacent Flow State boardercross course, enabling athletes to spend nearly 40 percent more time on snow by decreasing the time spent on lifts. This project was made possible by a successful fundraising campaign by Gould Academy, Alera Group, Bates College, the Sunday River Ski and Snowboard Club, and more.

Phase Two: Doubling Snowmaking Capacity

Last summer, Sunday River took the first step towards doubling its snowmaking capacity with the installation of nearly two miles of pipe from the resort's namesake water source, as well as a new 600-horsepower pump. These efforts resulted in an immediate 15 percent increase in water capacity for snowmaking.

Leading into winter 2019/20, Sunday River will install four new 500-horsepower pumps at the resort's water source, which will add another 10 percent of water capacity with an extra 1,000 gallons per minute for snowmaking. To build on this progress, Sunday River will also install HKD Snowmakers KLIK hydrants to increase snowmaking automation. 

Improved On-Mountain Dining Experiences

In 2015, Sunday River partnered with restaurateur Harding Lee Smith of Portland, Maine, to bring The Mountain Room to life at the resort's mid-mountain lodge. It quickly became a favorite stop for skiers and snowboarders with an excellent selection of shared plates, craft beer, and signature cocktails that can't be found at many ski areas. Phase three of The Mountain Room will be completed in time for ski season, and includes expanding the bar seating, and debuting Chef Harding's specialty pizzas in the Peak Lodge Food Court, made with Maine Beer Company dough.

The Shipyard Brew Haus, located in the White Cap Lodge, is under new management. Joe Christopher of Three Rivers Whitewater Rafting, Jump and Raft, Three Dollar Deweys, and the Shipyard Brew Haus at Sugarloaf will take on the restaurant and has plans for a new menu and upgrades to the space. 

New Products & Experiences

Nitro New England Pass

The Nitro New England Pass is a new season pass product with families and young adults in mind. The pass is for ages 6-29 and offers access to Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine, and Loon Mountain in New Hampshire seven days a week all winter with the exception of 12 blackout dates.

Gold Plus New England Pass

The Gold Plus New England Pass takes the unlimited, three-resort access of the Gold New England Pass and adds extra benefits include early lift access. It is valid for unlimited skiing every day, all season at Sunday River and Sugarloaf in Maine, and Loon Mountain in New Hampshire, and offers special access and benefits including a half-hour of early lift access on Sundays and select holiday dates.

First Tracks Breakfasts

Another way to score early lifts at Sunday River is to take part in the First Tracks Breakfast. Skiers and snowboarders will meet at the Discovery Center at South Ridge Lodge at 6:45AM on Saturdays and Sundays from January 4 through March 19. They will load the chairlift at 7AM with a guide and ski terrain accessed by the Chondola and the Spruce Peak Triple before getting a gourmet breakfast at The Mountain Room, located in the resort's mid-mountain Peak Lodge. Reservations are required; cost is $99 per person and does not include a lift ticket.

SkiWork Co-Working Space

Sunday River guests will be able to work where they play with the resort's new co-working space. Based in a soon-to-be renovated space in White Cap Lodge, the co-working area will be available for daily and season-long rental, and invites businesses and remote-workers to enjoy slopeside office accommodations. Details on pricing, availability, amenities, and purchasing to come.