The East is now open.
Sunday River, Maine is now open for the season as of Thursday, November 14, 2024, just two weeks after it held a surprise one-day event on Halloween for passholders.
Access is limited to just season pass holders, Ikon pass holders, and Mountain Collective members. Those wishing to purchase daily lift tickets can do so starting Friday, November 15.
There will be one lift running – the Locke Mountain Triple – and one trail – T2 – to start. Upper Sunday Punch will have a delayed start. The conditions are advanced with ungroomed conditions, and the snow guns will be firing until the temperature rises, which may impact visibility.
“Expect early spring conditions as the main surface, with some very supportive and edgeable snow,” the snow report says. “We will have guest services open and available to help in South Ridge and Barker. Speaking of Barker, parking is limited, but we will have shuttles running between Barker and South Ridge throughout the day to assist with parking.”
“We are so stoked to welcome everyone back to your happy place,” writes the resort.
When completely open, Sunday River boasts 139 trails and 19 lifts. The summit sits at 2,340 vertical feet. It’s about a 175 mile drive from Boston, and an 80 mile drive from Portland, Maine.
Sunday River opened for the season on November 14 last year, as well. Typically, it is in competition with Killington Resort in neighboring Vermont to be the first ski area open for the season on the east coast.
Killington is also spinning its lifts exclusively for Killington, Beast365, and Ikon Pass Holders on November 14, 2024.
An aerial view of snowmaking on T2 at Sunday River.
Photo: Sunday River
Sunday River and the locals of western Maine faced a ton of adversity last December, when heavy rains and flash floods swept through the region, damaging both the resort and nearby businesses alike.
The resort reopened just four days later, thankfully, in order to meet the rush of holiday snowboarders and skiers, but roadways and trails were hit hard. A portion of the road that leads to the Grand Summit Hotel was washed away.
Much of the thanks went to the grit and selflessness of the locals and other volunteers, who brought everything from hot meals to construction equipment to help speed up recovery efforts.
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