3 Maine Ski Mountains Hailed as New England’s Best

If you aren't a fan of winter, you may want to avert your eyes.

For those who can't wait for cooler temperatures and the white stuff, then do I have some good news for you: ski season is officially just around the bend.

Put away those golf clubs and break out the bindings. Let's get those skis ready for another year of carving Maine's beautiful ski slopes.

With all of this being said, it's no surprise that winter sport buzz has hit Al Gore's internet. This includes an article from the good folks over at Trips to Discover. The popular travel site decided to take a look at the ski scene in New England. They ultimately put together a list of the best ski resorts in the region, three of them being right here in Maine: Sunday River, Sugarloaf, and the reincarnated Saddleback Mountain.

Sunday River

Sunday River is an excellent choice. 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 that it has the most ski terrain on the East Coast, with 135 trails over the eight peaks. And even more impressive is the fact that nearly the entire network is covered by snowmaking. Once Sunday River is open for the season, it stays open.

Here is a little of why Trips to Discover chose the River.

Sunday River offers a remote and scenic location without the crowds, with 50 miles of wilderness between it and the nearest highway. It’s worth the trip for the guaranteed good powder. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can use your lift ticket to return another day, but with advanced snowmaking capabilities, that’s unlikely.

 

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, righteous 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. Yes, there's plenty of Après ski choices, too.

But don't just take my word for it. Here is what Trips to Discover had to say about the Loaf.

Sugarloaf boasts a magnificent 4,237-foot summit with extraordinary views and miles of exciting trail options across 1,240 acres of terrain There are glades for all abilities, cat skiing, groomed cruisers, and a separate area for beginners.

 

Saddleback

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

Saddleback is a massive mountain, with huge elevation and a killer expert section at the peak. The mountain is also known for its wonderful beginner section. Plus, you can't beat the views and surroundings. The Rangeley region is simply one of the best in the state.

Here is more of why Saddleback was included on this list.

Named the 2022 and 2023 Readers’ Choice for “Best Ski Mountain” in Maine by Down East Magazine, Saddleback Mountain offers the highest base elevation of any ski area in the region for classic New England skiing with an old-fashioned feel and breathing views of the White Mountains and Rangeley Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in Maine.

These are three great representatives of Maine's ski scene. Congrats to all of them for the great promotion.

As much as we adore Maine's massive resorts, they are not alone. You can find a lot of great skiing throughout the state, even at some of the smaller, lesser-known mountains. You can find a full list of resorts here.

Happy ski season to one and all. Here's hoping to see a lot of that white stuff this year.