Vertical: 2,820 ft. Avg. Snowfall: 206 in. Base Elevation: 1,417 ft. Snowmaking: 94% Lifts: 2 super quads, 2 high-speed quads, 8 doubles, 1 triple, 2 surface lifts Trails: 133 trails, 1,400 acres
There are no two mountains which are more different yet similar than Sunday River and Sugarloaf. While Sunday River is spread over 8 peaks, Sugarloaf packs it's 118 trails over one huge mountain.
Yet much of the skiing terrain is similar; they both combine a prodigious output of machine-made snow with meticulous grooming on fairly wide cruising trails. They also receive a substantial amount of natural snow, as well.
The biggest difference would have to be the Snowfields, which provides the Loaf with the only lift-serviced above-treeline skiing in the East. The other main difference is in the base-area village. While much of the apres-ski activity at Sunday River spills into the town of Bethel 6 miles away, Sugarloaf has its own self-contained village within walking distance of the slopes. Everything you need from fine-dining, lodging, and apres-ski can be found right here at the base of the mountain. Once you make the drive and park your car there is no need to drive again until you leave (although once you arrive you may never want to leave).
Getting There: Sugarloaf USA is located 16 miles north of Kingfield, Maine. From the South, take I-95 to the Maine Turnpike to Exit 12 (Auburn), then Route 4 north through Farmington to Route 27 north.
From Montreal and points west, take Route 10 east to the end, then 112 east and 253 south to 108 east to 212 east to 161 south to the U.S. border. Sugarloaf is 58 km south of the Canadian border.
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