Sugarloaf Ski Area Profile

There"s a point on Maine Route 16/27 between the village of Carabassett Valley and Sugarloaf where the mountain comes dramatically into view. The view often inspires one of two thoughts: 1) I can"t wait to ski this mountain! Or 2) I can"t ski this mountain!

For some it inspires both thoughts. Much of Sugarloaf is indeed as tough or almost as tough as it looks (43% is rated black diamond or double black diamond), but generations of families wouldn"t make the trek way up here if only one or two members could handle it. The remaining terrain is about evenly split between beginner and intermediate, and at Sugarloaf that"s a lot of terrain indeed.

With over 500 acres of marked terrain and 129 trails, half of Sugarloaf to play on is a big playground. And with a snowsports school that specializes in helping families get the most out of the mountain"s diverse terrain, many guests soon find themselves willing (and able) to explore some of the tougher stuff.

What is tough is knowing where to begin your explorations. Beginners who wish to stick close to "home" and who aren"t taking a lesson could spend a couple of hours skiing or riding off the Snubber Triple on Birches Slope and Snowbrook, surrounded by condos. Just peel off to your own when the mood strikes you. But more interesting green circle terrain can be found off Double Runner West (exit at the mid-station), Double Runner East, and the Bucksaw Double.

Intermediates can ride the Whiffletree Superquad (four or five good choices), the Timberline Quad (the highest lift, with three good choices), and the Sugarloaf Superquad (scoot over to Tote Road and then take Lower Binder for a long and lovely cruise).

Advanced skiers and riders, of course, have plenty of choices. Four of the ‘Loaf"s 15 lifts serve advanced terrain almost exclusively: The King Pine Quad, the Spillway West and East Doubles, and the Bateau T-bar. Off these lifts you"ll find some of Sugarloaf"s most well-known black and double black diamond trails: Ripsaw, Upper Bubblecuffer, Upper Gondola Line, Haul Back, and Upper Spillway. There are more choices to be sure, including numerous short shots and glades. And there are the famous Snowfields, which will be treated separately below.

At last count there were four terrain parks and a ½ pipe. Parks feature up to eight elements and/or rails; one is of intermediate difficulty and the rest are pretty serious.

Sugarloaf is a true destination resort, and not only by virtue of being the only destination around.

The village of Carabassett Valley features a fine old inn, some interesting shops, and restaurants, but most activity centers around Sugarloaf Village and the extensive condominium and second home clusters that hug the mountain. Here you"ll find restaurants, shops, pubs, the Sugarloaf Inn, an interfaith chapel, the Grand Summit Resort Hotel, and the Sugarloaf Sports and Fitness Center. People from all walks of life enjoy these facilities, especially the popular après-ski places, and the atmosphere is relaxed.

For parents who want to enjoy some evening time alone, evening child care is available, and there"s an evening children"s program for kids five to 12.

If you want to experience the scenic surroundings of Sugarloaf, the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center just south of the access road offers 100 kilometers of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, much of it groomed, as well as a base lodge with food service, rentals, a retail shop, and lessons. Snowmobile tours can also be arranged.

About the famous Snowfields: They are indeed the only lift-served above-treeline skiing and riding in the east, and while not as extensive as the terrain you can hike to in the Presidentials, for example, they offer a true alpine experience, in the full sense of the phrase. When they"re open be prepared for anything. You might well catch them on a powder day, a warm day, or a calm day, but the fact that the patrol has opened them doesn"t mean the conditions are going to be good, only that expert skiers and riders should be able to handle them. While perhaps not as steep as the double diamond ratings for the rather fluid routes down might suggest, the Snowfields are extremely exposed and give every impression of dropping off into the abyss in a couple of places; very disorienting if you"re not used to it. Once you do get used to it, you"ll be back again and again.