SUNDAY RIVER RESORT GUIDE
Sunday River Resort Overview
With 870 acres of skiable terrain spread across 8 peaks, Sunday River rounds out the four largest resorts east of the Rockies (a bit larger than Aspen Mountain). More than half of this expansive acreage is covered by a fleet of 2,000+ snow guns, creating some of the most reliable conditions in the Northeast. Beginners can cut their teeth on gentle, perfectly groomed slopes while more advanced riders can chase the adrenaline of the steeps, natural terrain and trees. Each peak offers great terrain variety, and getting around is a breeze.
The resort features three base areas — South Ridge, Barker Mountain and White Cap. Though the resort lacks a true "village" feel, all of the amenities you'd expect (lodging, food, shops & rentals) are spread amongst these areas. Nearby Bethel (5-10 minutes drive) has consistently held a top ranking for a ski town in America by USA Today. The mountain is ~1.5 hours driving from Portland and 3 hours from Boston — a car is essential. Make sure to pack layers, being so far north means more reliable snow, but comes with chillier conditions than other well-known New England resorts. Sunday River is a Boyne resort, part of the New England Pass and the Ikon Pass offers 5 or 7 days.
Snow Reliability
Snow-Making & Grooming
Ski School
Travel Convenience
Accommodations
Terrain Variety
On Mountain Dining
Extreme / Off-Piste Terrain
Quick Take
Let's Go
Sunday River offers a snow guarantee. Thanks to impressive snow-making and grooming capabilities, the resort consistently has the most open terrain in the east. If you're not satisfied, turn in your ticket for a credit for another day
Boundary-to-boundary policy enables experts to explore the entire mountain (expands terrain from 870 to 2,000 acres)
It's easy for groups of varying ability to stay together. Each chair lift services a tremendous variety of terrain
There is a wide variety of accommodations between the mountain base (where we like the Grand Summit and Jordan hotels) and nearby Bethel (try the Bethel Inn) as well as plenty of condos and Airbnbs
Reserve a spot for the First Tracks Breakfast and take a guided tour of the slopes before the resort opens, followed by a gourmet breakfast at the Mountain Room
Hesitations
Relatively remote/harder to reach location. Sunday River is at least a 1.5 hour drive from the nearest urban center —Portland, ME
Sunday River lacks a true, cohesive, pedestrian-friendly mountain village, though there are plenty of options for food and lodging spread between the base area and nearby Bethel
The après scene here is good fun, but you won't find a late-night party scene with a younger crowd
Despite being harder to reach, the mountain can become crowded, particularly on holiday weekends
Insider Tips
"If you can see it, ski it," Sunday River has tons of hidden tree runs to discover. Keep an eye out for entrances off of the side of many trails for these unmarked adventures
On a powder day, head to Oz as quickly as you can to score freshies on some of the coolest natural terrain in New England
Parking at South Ridge can fill up quickly. For a closer spot, try heading to the Barker Mountain or White Cap base lodges
Using the Ikon Pass here will be a breeze in 2020, as Sunday River is busy installing RFID technology at all of their lifts. Now pass holders can skip the ticket line and head straight to the mountain.
Beer your thing? How about donuts? Head to Sunday River Brewing Co. for a match made in heaven
Trail Map
For an in-depth breakdown of Sunday River's terrain, head to our Mountain Guide. Top trails and mountain stats included.
Getting To & Around
Sunday River is an easy drive from Portland (~1.5 hours) and longer but still easy from Boston (~3.25 hours) via I-95 and Route 26. Having a car is essential to get to the resort and navigate the surrounding area.
Getting To
Closest Major City: Boston, MA
Distance: ~180 miles North
Travel Time: ~ 3 hours, 10 minutes drive
Closest Town: Bethel, ME
~7 miles, ~12 minute drive
Portland, ME: ~75 miles, ~1 hour, 40 minues drive
Neighboring Resorts
Sunday River is part of the Mahoosuc Mountain range.
Closet Neighbors on the Ikon Pass /New England Pass
Loon Mountain, NH (79 miles, ~1.5 hours)
Sugarloaf Mountain, ME (~88 miles, ~2 hours)
Closet Neighbors on the Epic Pass
Wildcat Mountain, NH (~38 miles, ~45 minutes)
Attitash Mountain, NH (~53 miles, ~1 hour, 10 minutes)
Other Nearby Resorts (within ~1 hour driving)
Shawnee Peak, ME (~40 miles, ~55 minutes)
Bretton Woods, NH (~58 miles, ~1 hour, 15 minutes)
Travel by Plane
Closest major commercial airport: BOS (Boston Logan International Airport)
~175 miles South, ~3 hours, 15 minutes
Regional airport: PWM (Portland International Jetport)
~75 miles South East, ~1 hour, 35 minutes
Private planes can fly to Bethel Regional Airport
6 miles, ~10 minutes
Travel By Bus
Sunday Rivers offers free shuttles around the Base Area and to the sourrounding lodges. Shuttles will not make stops that are not on the predetermined routes.
The Mountain Explorer connects Sunday River and the town of Bethel with convenient stops in Bethel and along Sunday River Road. See schedule here.
Travel by Car
We prefer to have a car here, its an easy drive from the greater Boston area and Portland and parking is abundant and free
Pros: Much greater flexiblity for restaurants, lodging and visiting nearby resorts
Cons: None (though a car wash will be needed)
Ride shares: (e.g., Uber, Lyft) are not reliable here
