NEWRY, MAINE (February 16, 2023) – Sunday River announced today plans for major infrastructure investments for the Barker 6 and Merrill Hill lifts, as well as the continuation of their long-term commitment to expanding the resort’s snowmaking system. 

The Barker 6 features six ergonomically heated seats enclosed by a signature Sunday River Red bubble. Manufactured by Doppelmayr, the lift will join the impressive ranks of the Jordan 8 and the Chondola as the most sophisticated of its respective class and serve as the first of its kind in the Northeast. 

Matching the caliber of sister resort Big Sky, Sunday River will be the only other resort in North America with two ultra-modern D-Line lifts. Guests will travel up the mountain in just over four and a half minutes, which reduces the current ride time by over 30 percent. Sixty-three chairs, weighing in at nearly one ton each, will transport an average of 3,250 skiers per hour. Barker 6 will achieve the status as one of the fastest six-person aerial lifts in North America – all exclusively found at Boyne Resort properties. 

“The recent opening of the Jordan 8, the announcement of Barker 6, coupled with dramatic snowmaking system investments and the addition of a second Merrill Hill lift, all represent big next steps in Sunday River’s 2030 Plan,” said Sunday River President Dana Bullen. 

The Merrill Hill Triple will offer ski-in, ski-out access to future home sites and will provide new trails to showcase the incredible views of the Mahoosuc Mountains for the enjoyment of all guests. This is a milestone marker for the next phase of development toward the Western Reserve. 

In addition to lift upgrades, Sunday River will continue its commitment to annual snowmaking improvements. Strategic enhancements made across Aurora, Oz, Jordan, and South Ridge put the resort in the position to localize its full snowmaking ability to any point throughout its eight peaks. 

New pipe to the top of Jordan will triple snowmaking capacity in the area, allowing for all snow guns in the Jordan Bowl to operate simultaneously. New fully automated, high-efficiency fan guns will be added to trails around the South Ridge base area. This automation will expand terrain faster and more efficiently to provide guests with an unprecedented early-season skiing experience. 

“Snowmaking continues to be an investment and operational priority to support our ongoing commitment to produce The Most Dependable Snow in New England for our valued guests,” noted resort General Manager Brian Heon. 

To find more details about Barker 6, visit SundayRiver.com/barker-6 and to read more about Sunday River’s long-term plans, visit 2030.SundayRiver.com. Media inquiries should contact Ellen Wainwright, Communications Manager for Sunday River, at ellen.wainwright@sundayriver.com or (207) 824-5218. 

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