Maine’s Sunday River First Resort Open On East Coast

kailee bradstreet

October 14 2009
141 views
add a comment

Sunday River opened today, October 14, and was the first resort in the East to open for a third year in a row. Not only was it the first, the date also marked a record-breaking open for the resort, a full 13 days ahead of their usual opening day which is Oct. 31, Halloween. The resort offered free skiing and riding Wednesday afternoon and will stay open through Sunday, according to a press release:

“Newry, MAINE (Oct. 14, 2009) – For the past two years Sunday River has been the first resort in the East to open, doing so on Halloween both times, and today, they’re staking the claim once more opening a full 13 days before Halloween and every other East Coast ski area out there. Sunday River will offer free skiing and riding this afternoon from now until 3:30 p.m.

Sunday River received three inches of natural snow yesterday, October 13, and has used this and the cold temperatures this past week to make enough man-made snow to open.

“Cold temperatures and advanced snowmaking technologies including tower guns and fan guns helped us open,” said Dana Bullen, Sunday River General Manager. “Opening ahead of the pack is a great treat to offer skiers and riders across New England and we’re proud to be able to stake this claim for a third year in a row.”

Tomorrow, lift access will begin at 9 a.m. and will remain open though Sunday, before temporarily closing for the following midweek period.

Open terrain includes the upper portion of Locke Mountain and is for advanced skiers and riders only.

Lift tickets starting tomorrow will be $25 for all ages, and can be purchased out of Barker Base Lodge.

Lift access will be on the Locke Mountain Triple. Additional trails may open for the weekend depending on temperatures and snowmaking. Updates and conditions reports will be posted online at www.sundayriver.com.

Sunday River celebrates its 50th Birthday on December 19, 2009 with a kick-off party that will last all season long. A true four-season destination, Sunday River offers eight interconnected peaks of world-class skiing and snowboarding, two Grand Resort Hotels and golf at the highly acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club. Sunday River is a member of the Boyne USA Resorts family of resorts and attractions and is located in Newry, Maine amidst the scenic Mahoosuc Range. Follow us: www.sundayriver.com www.facebook.com/sundayriver and @sundayriver”