Sugarloaf (ski resort) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SUGARLOAF |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
View of Sugarloaf from the Whiffletree SuperQuad
|
|
| Location | Carrabassett Valley, Franklin County, Maine  United States |
| Nearest city | Farmington |
| Coordinates | 45°01′53″N 70°18′47″W / 45.03139°N 70.31306°W |
| Vertical | 2,820 feet (860 m) |
| Top elevation | 4,237 feet (1,291 m) |
| Base elevation | 1,417 feet (432 m) |
| Skiable area | 1,240 acres (500 ha) |
| Runs | 160 |
| Longest run | 3.5 miles (5.6 km) |
| Lift system | 14 |
| Lift capacity | 21,810 skiers per hour |
| Terrain parks | 3 (+ Superpipe) |
| Snowfall | 200 inches (510 cm) (10 year average) |
| Snowmaking | 95% |
| Night skiing | No |
| Website | Sugarloaf.com |
Sugarloaf is a popular ski resort located in Carrabassett Valley, western Maine. It sits on Sugarloaf Mountain. This resort is one of the biggest ski areas east of the Mississippi River. It has a large skiable area of 1,240 acres (500 hectares). Sugarloaf also makes snow on 95% of its trails, which is a lot!
The mountain has a continuous vertical drop of 2,820 feet (860 meters). This makes it the second longest vertical drop in New England. Sugarloaf Mountain itself is 4,237 feet (1,291 meters) high. It is the third tallest peak in Maine. What's special about Sugarloaf is that it offers the only lift-serviced skiing above the tree line in the Northeast United States. This means you can ski in open areas without trees at the very top!
The Appalachian Trail, a famous hiking path, passes very close to Sugarloaf's peak. From the summit, you can enjoy amazing 360-degree views. You can see Maine's western mountains and New Hampshire's White Mountains.
Sugarloaf has over 60 miles (97 km) of marked trails. There are 154 marked trails and glades (skiing through trees). Many of these trails are named after logging terms. This is a way to honor Maine's history of logging. The trails are rated for different skill levels:
- Green circle: 25% (easy)
- Blue square: 32% (medium)
- Black diamond: 28% (difficult)
- Double black diamond: 15% (very difficult)
The resort has 14 lifts that can carry many skiers up the mountain. These include modern "SuperQuads" and other types of lifts. Sugarloaf's ski season usually runs from mid-November to early May.
Contents
History of Sugarloaf Ski Resort
How Sugarloaf Began: 1950s
The story of Sugarloaf started in 1950. A group of local skiers, known as "The Bigelow Boys," cut the first trail. They were led by Amos Winter and Stub Taylor. They worked hard to turn the mountain into the large ski area it is today. The first trail they cut was called "Winter's Way." It was 1,800 feet (550 meters) high.
In 1953, a rope tow was added to the lower part of Winter's Way. This helped beginners and intermediates get up the hill. Two years later, in 1955, the Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation was formed. They installed the first T-Bar lift. This lift could carry 600 skiers per hour. More trails like "Narrow Gauge" and "Sluice" were also cut.
By 1956, a second T-Bar was added, going even higher up the mountain. In 1959, a new two-story lodge was built at the base of the mountain. Another T-bar was added for the beginner area.
Growing into Sugarloaf/USA: 1960s–1970s
In the early 1960s, more T-bars were installed on the east side of the mountain. These opened up new areas like Whiffletree and King Pine Bowl. Electricity also reached the valley, which was a big help for the growing resort.
A major step happened in 1965 when "The Mighty Gondola" was installed. This four-person lift took skiers 2,350 vertical feet (716 meters) to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain. It was a very important addition!
In 1969, the first chairlift, called Bucksaw, was installed. It opened up new intermediate trails on West Mountain. The second chairlift, Sawduster, was added in 1970. It connected the Sugarloaf Inn to the main base lodge.
Sugarloaf's "Narrow Gauge" trail is famous for hosting big ski races. It has held the World Cup in 1971 and several U.S. Nationals events.
Challenges and Expansion: The 1970s
During the early 1970s, there wasn't much natural snow. This led Sugarloaf to install snowmaking equipment. In 1973, snowmaking was added to the "Narrow Gauge" trail from top to bottom. This helped ensure there was enough snow for skiing.
In 1971, the local area became the town of Carrabassett Valley. This new town played a big part in developing Sugarloaf. More lifts were added in 1973, including "Double Runner East" and "West." These lifts are still used today. The "Spillway Chairs" were also installed, offering a long ride up the mountain.
In the late 1970s, the Appalachian Trail was moved slightly away from Sugarloaf's summit. This helped protect the mountain environment. Sugarloaf also bought new machines for grooming the snow. By the end of the 1970s, Sugarloaf could carry over 9,000 skiers per hour up the mountain.
New Ownership and Modern Upgrades: 2007–Present
In 2007, Sugarloaf got new owners, CNL Lifestyle Properties, and was managed by Boyne Resorts. They started making many improvements. They fixed up lifts and buildings and upgraded the snowmaking system. They also removed "USA" from the resort's name, making it just "Sugarloaf."
In 2008, Sugarloaf invested over $5 million in upgrades. This included new snowmaking pumps and more efficient snowguns. They also updated trail signs and redesigned the terrain parks.
In 2010, Sugarloaf announced a big ten-year plan called "Sugarloaf 2020." This plan included expanding skiing into new areas like Brackett Basin and Burnt Mountain. It also planned for many upgrades to snowmaking and lifts.
In 2011, a new fixed-grip quad chairlift called "Skyline" replaced the old Spillway lift. This was a major upgrade for skiers. More glades (tree skiing areas) were also opened on Burnt Mountain.
Over the next few years, Sugarloaf continued to improve. They bought more snowguns, remodeled shops, and improved the golf course. New glades like "Greenhorn Glade" and "Androscoggin Glade" were cut. In 2014, the village area became pedestrian-friendly, meaning no cars were allowed, making it safer for people walking around.
In 2016, Sugarloaf was sold again to Och-Ziff Capital Management. Later, in 2018, Boyne Resorts bought the resort completely. This allowed them to fund more projects. They planned to expand snowmaking using a new water source, Caribou Pond. Other ideas included a new "Timberline Quad" lift and more development on West Mountain.
In 2017, cat skiing was introduced on Burnt Mountain. This allows skiers to reach more remote areas. In 2019, Sugarloaf added its first beginner glade area, "Alice's Winter Land Glade." They also renovated the Widowmaker Lounge.
Summer Activities at Sugarloaf
Sugarloaf isn't just for winter! In the summer, you can enjoy many activities:
- Golf: Play a round on the beautiful golf course.
- Hiking: Explore trails on the mountain.
- Mountain Biking: Ride bikes on special mountain trails.
- Ziplines: Soar through the air on ziplines.
- Court Sports: Play tennis or basketball.
Getting Around Sugarloaf
The Sugarloaf Explorer is a free bus system that helps people get around the resort. It has eight bus routes that connect different neighborhoods, condos, and hotels to the main base lodge, the Outdoor Center, and local shops and restaurants.
There are no regular train or commercial airplane services directly to the mountain. The closest bus service is in Augusta, about 80 miles away. The closest major airport is Portland International Jetport in Portland, which is about 134 miles away.
Sugarloaf Mascots
Sugarloaf has three fun mascots! They are Amos the Moose, Blueberry the Bear, and Pierre the Lumberjack. You can even find Amos's cabin off the Moose Alley trail.
