ATTN Maine divas! Sunday River or Sugarloaf?

[haylmom]

So I'm thinking about a weekend trip down to Maine to ski Sugarloaf or Sunday River...(maybe both?) Where is the best place to stay? Which mountain has the best program for little ones (dd is 3 1/2)? It is just going to be me and dd so thinking about driving down Friday night, staying until Sunday. Would consider doing one mountain Saturday, then the other Sunday morning (although it is probably way too much)....it is a five hour drive for us. Any suggestions...?

Thanks!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Both are great!

Hi haylmom, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner than this! Ah, your choice is like picking an ice cream flavor - "It's all good!" You can't go wrong with either choice, happily. Both resorts are under common ownership and have much in common with regard to ski school structure (called "Perfect Turn") - both young childrens' programs are excellent.

At Sunday River, a fellow diva teaches kids! Why not try to pm her? -* backcountrygirl *- At Sugarloaf, the children's program is called "Mountain Magic." (DH used to teach older kids there, "Mountain Adventure") I've carried many a 3-4 year old onto the Whiffletree Superquad! Has she skied before?

Both now have Magic Carpets and excellent kids' terrain. What kind of skiing do YOU prefer? Sunday River is vast and wide, lots of choices, more intermediate terrain. Sugarloaf is taller, more vertical, more ungroomed. Accommodations at Sugarloaf might be slightly more expensive. Sunday River draws a large Boston contingent and is marginally more crowded but disperses the crowds well with 16+ lifts.

It is currently DUMPING - you needn't even think about whether either has good snow - I live roughly halfway between the 2 resorts, and we are getting buried here right now.

What would your travel route be? Sugarloaf might be a bit closer, but either is still a long drive for you, so choose according to what you think you'd enjoy most. Since "College Week" begins at both resorts on January 2, do call one or the other ASAP, as it does get busy. Please let me know if you have any other further questions, either by forum or PM!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Also, if I were you, I'd stay with one or the other for both days. They are about 2 hours apart by roads (although closer "as the crow flies"). You will have a great time at either, and your daughter will get established over the course of the 2 days and feel comfortable where she is. She will love being with kids her own age So excited for you! Taking a little one on an excursion like this does require a major burst of energy, but the memories last forever, I promise!

 

[haylmom]

Oh I totally agree!!! It has always just been my daughter and I and we love going on little excursions together! (she's 3 and a half and has been on a plane 4 times!!!!) Ok, so she might even be a little spoiled, but oh well

So I am thinking Sunday River sounds like its more along our lines.. and I'm excited that they have great kids programs! Yesterday when my daughter came skiing with me, I tried to have her out with just myself and she wasn't having it! She was not paying attention to anything, wouldn't do anything, and after one "run" down the bunny hill she was ready to call it a day. Bummer. But as soon as she saw our neighbors there, she was all "OH, OH LOOK AT ME" and trying to ski across straight ground at the bottom! LOL she's so funny!

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Try sending backcountrygirl a PM. She hasn't posted for awhile, as she is busy at Sunday River (teaching kids!), but maybe she'll be able to respond. Your daughter should do well with other kids her age, she'll notice what they are doing. Ski school dearly familiar with this age group, no worries. Also, weather looks EXTREMELY good - 2+ days of snow right now, then it will get VERY cold, but it will clear out and be relatively mild for weekend (high 20's/low 30's) - PERFECT!

 

[atlantiqueen]

great ticket prices

So I'm thinking about a weekend trip down to Maine to ski Sugarloaf or Sunday River...(maybe both?) Where is the best place to stay? Which mountain has the best program for little ones (dd is 3 1/2)? It is just going to be me and dd so thinking about driving down Friday night, staying until Sunday. Would consider doing one mountain Saturday, then the other Sunday morning (although it is probably way too much)....it is a five hour drive for us. Any suggestions...?

Thanks!

If you are going to either one again, there is a shop in St. Stephen that sells tix at $51 Cdn rather than the on-site price of $72 and $49

PM me and I'll give you the contact info ....

 

[Simardypants]

New so cannot sen a PM yet...

But interested in the discounted tickets in St. Stephen...would you share the details with me? Thanks.