All Three of Maine’s Major Ski Resorts Ranked Among Nation’s Best by Ski Magazine

If winter's not your thing, you might want to look away.

But if you're already counting down the days until the chill sets in and the snow starts to fall, I’ve got some great news: ski season is almost here!

Time to stow the golf clubs and dust off the bindings. Let’s get those skis ready to carve up Maine’s gorgeous slopes once again.

With all that said, it's no surprise that winter sports buzz has hit Al Gore's internet. That includes a new article from the one and only Ski Magazine. These folks are true leaders when it comes to all things skiing, so when Ski publishes something, I tend to pay attention.

What Maine Ski Resorts are Considered Some of the Best in the Nation?

One of their recent articles is a list of the very best ski resorts in America. It features just 22 ski areas nationwide, and amazingly, Maine has some fantastic representation. On this list, you'll find all three of the state's major resorts: Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and Saddleback Mountain.

Coming in at number 14 is Sunday River.

The resort has made a name for itself with its vast trail system, numerous peaks, state-of-the-art lifts, and wealth of activities. Sunday River can also boast the most ski terrain on the East Coast, with 135 trails spread across eight peaks. Even more impressive is that nearly the entire network is covered by snowmaking. Once Sunday River opens for the season, it stays open.

Here's an excerpt from Ski Magazine on why Sunday River made the list:

Sunday River is longer than it is tall, so there’s a whole lot of acreage for weekend crowds to spread out. There are also multiple base areas with lodging, dining, après, and skier services, making Sunday River a one-stop destination.

Number 8 on this year's list is Sugarloaf.

Ever since the first trail was cut back in 1950, Sugarloaf has been one of the ski gems of the Northeast. It attracts folks from all over with its massive terrain, iconic snowfields, and incredible beauty. The mountain has also introduced many other outdoor activities over the years, including Nordic skiing, fat biking, tubing, and even cat skiing. And yes, there are plenty of après-ski options too.

But don’t just take my word for it. Here’s what Ski Magazine had to say about the Loaf:

Spirited Sugarloaf serves up adventurous terrain with a side of down-home authenticity and genuine friendliness...It’s not easy to get to, and it’s not a particularly fancy place, but if casual dining, ski-in/ski-out lodging, and friendly Down East service are on your agenda, you’ll like what Sugarloaf has to offer.

Finally, coming in as America's 4th best ski resort is Saddleback.

This mountain has cult status in Maine. People were stoked when it reopened in 2020 following a five-year hiatus and a change in ownership.

Saddleback is a massive mountain, with big elevation and a killer expert section at the peak. It’s also known for its fantastic beginner terrain. Plus, you can’t beat the views and surroundings—the Rangeley region is simply one of the best in the state.

Here's a little from Ski Magazine about the debutant.

Making its debut in the rankings, this remote and wild Maine ski area wins hearts with its fast lifts, natural terrain, and old-school ambience... It’s great for families who want to hit the grocery store and basecamp at the condo or powder nuts who want to churn bumps until their legs fall off.

From unranked to number 4—that’s pretty impressive for Saddleback, especially considering it’s only been back in operation since 2020.

READ MORE: Discover Peak Fall in Maine's Iconic Baxter State Park

These are three excellent representatives of Maine’s ski scene. Congrats to all of them on the national recognition.

Maine has a lot of Wonderful Ski Resorts Beyond the Big 3

As much as we adore Maine's big-name resorts, they’re not the only ones worth your time. You can find great skiing all over the state, even at some of the smaller, lesser-known mountains. You can check out a full list of Maine ski resorts here.

Happy ski season to one and all. Here’s hoping we get plenty of that white stuff this year.