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| Snowmaking in full-force on Right Stuff at Sunday River Ski Resort |
December 23, 2024 - Sunday River
Editors note: Since we are renting our trailside Saddleback condo during the holiday breaks this year we are taking the opportunity to visit some other Maine ski resorts we haven't visited in a while. MaineSkiFamily crew members Alec and Lindsay went over to Sunday River on December 23rd.
Sunday River delivered a solid early-season skiing experience during our recent visit. While the temperatures at open were frigid—hovering around 0°F—the lack of wind made it feel more tolerable, almost like it was in the teens. Interestingly, we noticed that we only really felt cold while moving, unlike windy days when the chill is constant.
We kicked off our day at South Ridge, where we found no lines at the ticket window around 8:30 AM. As Mountain Collective pass holders, we weren’t sure if we could “just ski on” as the website suggested, so we stopped by the window. The staff gave us Go Cards and had us sign a waiver, and we were good to go. This is Sunday River’s first year on the MC pass so the staff didn’t seem super familiar with the process for redeeming tickets but it was smooth overall and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable about Sunday River’s system (likely Aspenware).
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| South Ridge Lodge (Photo via Sundayriver.com) |
One new feature I noticed since my last visit was the gear storage area. Not to be confused with the Sugarloaf Restaurant, it’s called “the bag.” It’s a massive, well-organized space for stashing your gear, and it stood out as a much-needed improvement compared to other resorts with inadequate storage options.
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| Bag storage area (Photo via Sundayriver.com) |
The Skiing Experience
The slopes were ski-on all day, even during Christmas week. It felt like a quieter day, likely because many people were still working that Monday. Sunday River’s lift infrastructure is easily the best in Maine for cold days. The Chondola and two bubble lifts (with heated seats) make a massive difference when the temperatures drop.
I also had the chance to ride the Jordan 8 for the first time—an impressive, state-of-the-art lift. It’s super fast, comfortable, and easy to get on and off.
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| Jordan 8 chairlift bubble |
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| Jordan 8 viewed from Rogue Angel |
That said, there were a couple of hiccups. The Jordan 8 stopped a few times during our ride, and the abrupt stops left the 8-pack chair bouncing severely, which was jarring. Additionally, the Locke Mountain Triple was not running, which made it impossible to access T2 from the top with Jungle Road also closed for snowmaking—a bit disappointing for those looking to ski that trail.
Conditions and Terrain
The morning conditions were excellent, with freshly groomed runs holding up until about 11 or 12. As expected for December (and for Sunday River) most trails got skied off by midday.
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| Ecstasy off Barker Mountain |
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| Rogue Angel in the Jordan Bowl area |
Sunday River kept things fun by opening “Right Stuff” during snowmaking. The snow guns were still blasting on it, but the big, soft snowmaking whales made for an enjoyable and dynamic experience. A few other trails with ungroomed snowmaking whales were also soft and fun to play around on.
Sunday River’s biggest strength this time of year is its variety of options, even without much natural snow. While the natural trails weren’t open yet, I appreciated the well-maintained groomers and hope to come back on a good snow day to explore some of the gnarlier terrain.
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| Upper Vortex awaiting more snow |
We were treated to a beautiful sunset on the way home.
Overall Experience
Sunday River is a little over 90 minutes from Portland/Westbrook, which adds to its appeal. The low crowds during our visit made the day even better, though weekends there can get too busy for my taste. What truly sets Sunday River apart are its lifts—heated bubbles and gondola cabins are unique for Maine and something I’ll miss on cold days at other resorts.
With one more day left on our Mountain Collective passes, I’m looking forward to returning later in the season when more terrain is open. All in all, it was an impressive day for December, with Sunday River offering the kind of experience that keeps skiers coming back.
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