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    Maine, Usa · Ikon

    Sunday River

    870 acres, 135 runs across 8 peaks near Bethel. Dependable snow, Ikon Pass, long season.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    13 Nov 2025
    Closes
    26 Apr 2026
    Days open
    164
    Annual snow
    15ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Sunday River's summit reaches 3,140 feet, dropping 2,340 vertical feet to a base at 800 feet across 135 runs spread over 870 acres in Newry, Maine, near Bethel. Terrain splits 36 per cent intermediate, 30 per cent beginner, 18 per cent advanced and 16 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 180 inches. The resort carries Ikon Pass access across eight interconnected peaks. Eighteen lifts, including seven quad chairs, an eight-person chair, one six-person chair and three triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside one double chair, a gondola and four surface lifts.

    Sunday River's eight interconnected peaks give it one of the most extensive trail networks in the eastern United States, built up through decades of aggressive expansion from a single original mountain. The resort's reputation for dependable snow, supported by extensive snowmaking, has made it one of New England's most consistent options through variable winters. Its Ikon Pass affiliation reflects its status as a genuine multi-peak destination rather than a single-mountain resort.

    Sunday River was founded in 1959 by the Bethel Area Development Corporation as a modest ski area with a single T-bar on Locke Mountain, and by 1960 it offered four runs, a T-bar and a rope tow for a lift fee of 3.50 US dollars. Sherburne Corporation, parent company of Killington, acquired a controlling interest in 1972, before Les Otten purchased the resort in 1980 and began an era of aggressive expansion.

    Under Otten, the resort added North Peak in 1985, Spruce Peak in 1986 and White Cap in 1988, the latter featuring the steep White Heat trail and marking the fifth of what would become eight interconnected peaks by the decade's end. Sunday River and sister resort Sugarloaf were sold by American Skiing Company in 2007 for a combined 77 million US dollars, with Boyne Resorts managing and then fully purchasing both in March 2018. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 159 US dollars, with multi-day packages from 178 dollars.

    2,339ft
    Vertical
    135
    Runs
    870 acres
    Skiable
    15ft
    Annual snow
    Ikon
    Pass
    The Terrain

    135 runs across 870 acres skiable

    Sunday River spreads 135 runs across 870 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 36%, with 41 beginner runs to find your feet and 46 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    135
    runs
    135 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner41 runs · 30%
    Intermediate49 runs · 36%
    Advanced24 runs · 18%
    Expert22 runs · 16%
    Time it right

    When to visit Sunday River

    The 2025-26 season at Sunday River ran from 13 November 2025 to 26 April 2026, one of the longest seasons in New England at roughly twenty-three weeks. Average annual snowfall of around 180 inches, combined with extensive snowmaking across the resort's eight peaks, has built Sunday River's reputation as one of the Northeast's most dependable resorts for consistent conditions. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.

    Midwinter, from December through February, typically brings the most reliable natural conditions across the resort's varied terrain. As an Ikon Pass destination with eight interconnected peaks, Sunday River draws substantial visitor traffic from across New England and beyond, with holiday periods bringing the heaviest crowds. Weekday visits generally remain calmer, particularly on the resort's more remote peaks.

    The resort's early November opening date, among the earliest in the Northeast, reflects its substantial snowmaking investment built up through decades of expansion since the 1980s. This early and late operating window gives Sunday River one of the longest seasons in the region. School holiday periods bring particularly strong demand given the resort's extensive beginner and family-friendly terrain alongside its more advanced peaks.

    Specific event programming beyond standard lift operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Boyne Resorts' ownership since 2018, alongside sister resort Sugarloaf, has supported continued investment in the resort's seasonal infrastructure. Sunday River's eight-peak layout means conditions and crowd levels can vary meaningfully from one part of the mountain to another on any given day.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    13 Nov 2025
    Opens
    26 Apr 2026
    Closes
    164
    Days open
    15 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Sunday River, and where to stay

    Sunday River sits in Newry, Maine, near the town of Bethel, with a base elevation of 800 feet and a summit at 3,140 feet across a 2,340-foot vertical drop over 870 acres spread across eight interconnected peaks. This western Maine location sits within a broader mountain and lakes landscape not far from the New Hampshire border.

    Bethel is the nearest town, offering lodging, dining and services for resort visitors, with a historic New England character distinct from the purpose-built base village at the resort itself. Portland, Maine's largest city, lies roughly two hours south, supplying much of Sunday River's weekend and holiday visitor base. The broader western Maine region combines skiing with lake and forest recreation beyond the winter season.

    US Route 2 and Maine State Route 26 provide the main routes into the Bethel and Newry area from Portland and the wider region. Winter driving conditions on these roads can include snow and ice, though the routes are well maintained given the resort's status as a major Ikon Pass destination. There is no direct public transport service to the resort itself.

    Portland International Jetport is the nearest airport with substantial commercial service, roughly two hours south of the resort. This makes Sunday River reasonably accessible to fly-in visitors from across the Northeast and beyond, supporting its role as one of Maine's most visited ski destinations alongside sister resort Sugarloaf.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Sunday River, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

    From the SnowStash desk

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    23 Aug 2026

    Sunday River Lift Tickets

    Sunday River lift tickets & passes

    The 2025 - 2026 season at Sunday River closed on Apr 26, 2026. Check back for next season's opening date and ticket pricing.

    Day passes start from US$49, with peak rates up to US$159.

    Ikon11 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    Adult Full Day

    US$89up to US$159 peak

    Full day access to all 8 peaks at Sunday River with 135 trails across 870 acres. Experience Maine's most dependable snow with extensive snowmaking and diverse terrain from beginner to expert.

    Buy pass
    Youth 13–18

    Teen Full Day

    US$69up to US$129 peak

    Discounted teen pricing for full day Sunday River access. Explore 8 interconnected peaks with twilight skiing included on Fridays, Saturdays, and holidays until 6:30pm.

    Buy pass
    Child 6–12

    Child Full Day

    US$59up to US$109 peak

    Child rates for full day Sunday River skiing across all 8 peaks. Perfect for young skiers with dedicated learning areas and excellent ski school programs at Maine's premier resort.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–79

    Senior Full Day

    US$69up to US$129 peak

    Senior discounted full day access to Sunday River's 8 peaks. Experience Maine's most dependable snow conditions with comfortable lifts and extensive terrain variety.

    Buy pass
    Child 0–4

    Child Under 5 Free

    Free

    Free skiing for children under 5 at Sunday River. Full access to beginner areas and magic carpet lifts across Maine's largest interconnected ski resort.

    Buy pass
    Senior 80–99

    Super Senior 80+ Free

    Free

    Complimentary skiing for seniors 80+ at Sunday River. Full mountain access across all 8 peaks with Maine's most dependable snow conditions.

    Buy pass
    Adult 6–64

    Beginner Terrain Only

    US$49up to US$69 peak

    Access to select beginner terrain at Sunday River from lift open to close. Perfect for first-time skiers and those learning on Maine's most accessible mountain.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    Maine Resident Tuesday/Sunday

    US$69up to US$79 peak

    Special Maine resident pricing on Tuesdays and Sundays at Sunday River. Includes discounted lodging options. Valid Maine ID required.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 19–64

    2-Day Multi-Day

    US$178up to US$298 peak

    Two consecutive days of skiing at Sunday River with full mountain access. Experience all 8 peaks and diverse terrain with twilight skiing included on weekends.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–64

    5-Day Multi-Day

    US$445up to US$695 peak

    Five consecutive days of unlimited Sunday River skiing. Best value for serious skiers wanting to explore every trail across Maine's largest interconnected resort.

    Buy pass

    Season passes

    Adult 19–64

    New England Gold Pass

    US$1,399up to US$1,699 peak

    Unlimited access to Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Loon, and Pleasant Mountain. Full benefits package including buddy tickets, retail discounts, and sister resort skiing privileges.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Sunday River day pass cost?+
    Sunday River day passes range from US$49 to US$159 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Sunday River lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Sunday River lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Sunday River, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Sunday River lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Sunday River - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Sunday River lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Sunday River offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Sunday River directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Sunday River.

    More Sunday River intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.