Industry News
Sugarloaf Mountain Resort in Maine announced that the resort will be reopening today, December 21, 2023. On Monday and Tuesday, December 18-19, 2023, parts of New England had been struck by severe storms, seeing wind gusts of up to 132 mph and heavy rainfall that caused severe damage. The floods following the storm devastated infrastructure throughout the region, forcing the closure of several ski areas.
The resort shared the news on its social media pages as well as its website.
It’s time. After a rough week of weather and significant flooding, we’re back.
The mountain is looking surprisingly good given the circumstances and that’s in large part due to our incredible team members.
Snowmakers have been working around the clock since temps dropped on Tuesday night. Groomers have been reshaping the hill like the talented sculptors they are, and boy is it looking better now.
Today we’ll have all of the basics – Tote Road, Kings Landing, Hayburner, Candyside, Boardwalk, Lower Winters Way, and the Landing. We’ll even have the Birches and Snowbrook areas groomed, a testament to how well we’re bouncing back post-storm. Snowmaking last night was on Upper Comp, Lower Comp, and Tote Road. Today, snowmaking is being moved off from Lower Tote Road – That water is being moved over to Lower Comp.
The conditions on the mountain vary, but it seems the trails of the day will be Hayburner and Kings Landing. Those trails have consistent sugary snow which you’ll be able to get a grip on. Conditions on other trails are firm – The snow (especially on trails that had snowmaking yesterday like Tote Road) set up hard – I suggest sharp skis and caution. Tote Road is starting the day on a grooming hold to get it in as good of condition as possible, likely opening mid-morning.
Our park crew managed to get both terrain parks back open (Upper Tote Park and Upper Double Bitter)- Shout out to them for making it happen despite the odds.
Please note there are natural hazards around the hill, especially given the flooding. Remain cautious, both on and off the hill. Watch for water bars and bare spots around the mountain.
Temps are in in the single digits at the summit and mid to upper teens at the base. Winds are moderate to high, which makes it feel significantly colder. Bundle up and get ready for a great day.
Our food and beverage team, along with other off-mountain departments have been doing an incredible job with limited staffing – It’s been an all-hands-on-deck sort of week. Thank you to the Sugarloafers and the Franklin County community for banding together through this challenging time. It’s times like this when I realize how strong this community and the entire State of Maine are.
Open terrain will be serviced by SuperQuad, Double Runner East, and Skidway at 8:30am. One of the lower mountain lifts may also run depending on how things go today, so keep an eye on that.
More information on mountain operations at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort are below:
- Dining options include: Breakfast buffet 7am-11am in 45 North; Narrow Gauge lunch 11am-2pm followed by dinner in 45 North (5pm-9pm). Widowmaker will also reopen; Bullwinkles remains closed with plan to operate starting Friday.
- Retail, rental, lessons and repair will resume normal hours.
- Guest services is open with tickets available for purchase.
- Sports & Fitness Center will have hours of 10am-7pm.
Please keep in mind that recovery efforts are still taking place in the area, so please check that streets have been cleared for your usual route to Sugarloaf before traveling. Maine Department of Transportation as well as Franklin County share up to date information on their websites.
Please note that Uphill Travel at Sugarloaf is currently closed. Ski Patrol will reestablish a plan for uphill access when it makes sense.Â
