Your Guide to Skiing Maine + Best Ski Resorts in Maine
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Maine is a top destination for ocean lovers, naturalists, and those looking for rare treasures created by local artisans. But the true Maine experience awaits in winter in the mountains at ski areas and destination ski resorts, which allow many opportunities for high-quality skiing in Maine.
Many think of New England skiing as the Green Mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
The same spine of mountains carved by the glaciers wind majestically through Maine offering some of the finest terrain and the least crowded skiing and snowboarding on the East Coast.
Some of the best ski resorts in New England are located in Maine. These are must-see, must-ski places with spectacular scenery, excellent snow quality given their northern location, and fewer crowds too.
These Maine ski areas are full-service destinations with extensive lift networks, snowmaking, and ski and snowboard instruction for every member of the family and all ability levels.
Six World-Class Ski Destinations in Maine
Sugarloaf | Carrabassett Valley
Sugarloaf is Maine’s largest single ski mountain, with a breathtaking summit and miles of exciting trail options, from snowfields to side country glades with cat skiing, to groomed cruisers and a separate beginner area.
The views from the 4,237′ summit are extraordinary, and the apres ski in the bustling ski village is fun, casual, and just what every skier enjoys.
This quintessential Maine ski resort features 1,056 acres of extensive terrain and glades for all abilities and an award-winning slopeside village brimming with activities, apres ski, fabulous restaurants, shops and resort lodging from hotels to inns to condominiums.
Sugarloaf, the self-proclaimed and deserved “King of Spring” is home to a long ski season, staying open into May most seasons, with fun events almost every weekend of the winter and spring.
Sunday River Ski Resort | Newry
Sunday River is not as tall as The Loaf, but its vast eight interconnected mountain peaks, high-speed lift network, and super powerful snowmaking make it the most reliable ski resort in the East.
It is the second largest ski resort in New England with 870+ acres, just behind Sugarloaf at 1,056, and is consistently covered by legendary Sunday River snow.
High capacity high-speed lifts and guaranteed snow on all of the River’s 870 acres of terrain make Sunday River a strong choice all season long.
Often the first resort to open for skiing, Sunday River makes the best snow and grooms it to perfection on most of the 138 trails. North Peak Lodge is a favorite meeting spot reached by the hybrid chondola. Twilight skiing is offered on South Ridge and North Peak on weekends and holidays.
Besides consistent skiing and riding, Sunday River has on-mountain lodging from condos to hotels, extensive lesson programs, great apres ski bars, and a casual resort attitude.
Saddleback Ski Area and Bike Park | Rangeley
Saddleback Mountain is old school meets new school. This resort offers the highest base elevation of any ski area in New England.
Saddleback offers classic New England skiing with an old-fashioned flair and stunning views of the Rangeley Lakes region and the White Mountains.
The resort sees an average snowfall of more than 200 inches, so there’s plenty of room for skiing and plenty of snow on the ground.
The resort offers plenty for skiers of all levels. Not only are there 40 acres of premier terrain for beginners as well as more than 60 different runs and six lifts.
Saddleback has the highest base elevation of any ski area in New England, a 4,120′ summit, and their lift ticket pricing are among the lowest. Saddleback offered classic ski trails with stunning views of the Rangeley Lakes region plus newly added glades that are exciting.
Slopeside condos and a beautiful post and beam base lodge with lively apres ski made Saddleback a great destination.
Black Mountain of Maine l Rumford
This small, family recreation area is operated with local town support and is a great place to ski during the winter season.
Located in Longfellow’s mountain range, near the junctions of Rt. 2 and 108, Black Mountain has something for everyone, including a summit triple chair accessing several scenic runs.
Beginners learn on Milk Run serviced by its own double chair. Skiers will love groomed cross-country trails with a designated touring center, plus snow tubing on five chutes make for exciting alternatives.
Tubing is great for the whole family, young and old, and is the perfect way to enjoy a winter day in Maine. All tubing tickets include a tube to slide down and there’s no time limit, so you can tube to your heart’s content. Just remember to dress warm.
Mt. Abram | Greenwood
This mountain feels bigger than its statistics belie. Beginners have their own Westside learning area, while intermediates take cruisers like Dudley Do Right and Bullwinkle.
Experts go for the double black steeps of Rocky’s Run. Racers enjoy the weekly ski races. The 1,325′ Flying Squirrel snow-tubing park has a special lift for even more fun.
Mt Abram also offers backcountry skiing.
Pleasant Mountain l Bridgton
Formerly known as Shawnee Peak, this is a great place to sneak away to for great family skiing and is just 45 minutes from Portland. This is also New England’s largest night skiing and boarding facility.
This mountain offers great skiing on two sides, and awesome views of Mount Washington and Moose Pond below. As a family ski mountain, the Peak offers some innovative super savers and family lift ticket deals for the day, night, and twilight.
Maine’s Family Recreational Ski Areas
Ski areas come in various shapes and sizes, but what all of these have in common is affordable skiing and fun for the entire family.
Baker Mountain l Moscow
This central Maine ski hill is operated by volunteers so that local kids can ski, Baker’s heart is bigger than the 460 vertical and five trails.
Baker dates back to the 1930s and offers five runs (3 for beginners and 2 for intermediate). Ski school is also offered on school vacation weeks.
Big Rock Ski Area l Mars Hill
Big Rock is a big ski mountain, drawing skiing families from nearby Presque Isle and Houlton. Mars Hill Mountain has something for every ability level, including night skiing.
For steep and challenging terrain, head out to the Ho Chi Min trail. Under the direction of Maine Winter Sports, pricing and lessons are geared to make skiing fun and affordable for families.
Big Rock also offers an 800-foot-long tubing park, giving riders the thrill of a wintertime rollercoaster.
Camden Snow Bowl l Camden
Enjoy this coastal ski resort, “Where the Mountain Meets the Sea.”
It is truly a unique experience to be downhill skiing and enjoying views of the Atlantic and Penobscot Bay. Classic New England trails like Spinnaker and Northeaster offer nearly 1,000 vertical feet of exhilaration.
Camden Snow Bowl offers affordable family skiing or riding by the sea by day or under the lights at night, the 500′ Snow Tubing Hill and 400′ Toboggan chute, and even ice skating on the pond.
Eaton Mountain l Skowhegan
Eaton offers a large mountain experience with everything from glades to a snowboard park, and affordable tickets for the entire family.
Lights cover the 622′ mountain to offer visitors an opportunity for night skiing seven days a week.
Lost Valley l Auburn
Lost Valley has been a family-owned and operated ski area for three generations. The ski area’s variety of trails, terrain parks, and nine gladed trails.
Two chairs service 15 trails including the Beaver Snowboard Park. Enjoy cruising on wide-open Bobcat and Big Buck.
Ideally located within 5 minutes of downtown Lewiston/Auburn, the popular ski-by-the-hour ticket means there is no excuse not to do a little day or night skiing this season.
Mt. Jefferson l Lee
This is the epitome of a family-owned and operated ski area since 1964 complete with family-friendly pricing and meals in the ski lodge.
Jefferson’s 12 trails are reliant on Mother Nature, but with fresh snow, the half-mile Willow Way takes a nice gradual path around the mountain
Hermon Mountain l Hermon
“Good People, Good Times, Good Skiing, Good Food” is the motto.
Overlooking Hermon Pond are great cruisers like Cloud Nine, Scenic, and Lakeview.
So close to Bangor, Hermon is convenient and affordable for Maine families.
Big Squaw Mountain l Greenville
Big Squaw, a few scant miles from Moosehead Lake, once offered big mountain skiing with a classic New England trail layout. Now it is more humble, locally operated by volunteers, on the lower mountain triple chair.
The summit double chair at Big Squaw is closed until further notice after a malfunction in 2004 that was never repaired – without this chair this is a modest 800′ vertical mountain.
The lower mountain has a triple chair catering to intermediate and beginner skiers with gentle, wandering terrain.
The stunning views from the summit (that you have to hike for now) of Moosehead Lake and Mount Katahdin in the distance are arguably the best in the Northeast! Squaw is not fancy, it’s hearty and unadorned, with a very low lift ticket price!
Powderhouse Hill l South Berwick
This is Maine’s southernmost ski area, which dates back to 1939 when an old pickup truck ran the rope tow. It’s now maintained by the Powderhouse Ski Club and operates solely on natural snow.
This place is a blast from the past with $5 tickets – cash only- and a rustic lodge with a woodstove and snack bar.
Spruce Mountain l Jay
Located in central Maine, Spruce is a quaint family ski hill, run primarily by volunteers since 1960. It takes three rope tows to get to the top.
On the banks of the Androscoggin River, this family-friendly hill is old-fashioned right down to the affordable ticket prices.
Titcomb Mountain l Farmington
Just outside of Farmington, Titcomb is like a country club of ski hills. Dating back to 1932, this veritable skier’s museum is the oldest club-operated ski area in the country, founded by the Titcomb family.
Now owned and operated by the Farmington Ski Club, members and visitors alike enjoy non-existent lines at their two T-bars plus uncrowded trails and very reasonable lift tickets.
“The Friendliest Mountain Around” is a great place to spend a day on the slopes and enjoy a crisp Maine day.
Quoggy Jo Ski Center l Presque Isle
Located in Presque Isle, Quoggy Jo is perfect for first-time skiers and young families. A ski playground with animated figurines keeps the kids entertained while they learn to turn.
At the summit is a state-of-the-art Biathlon Center with world-class Nordic skiing and a training facility for the US Biathlon team. This facility is under the direction of the Maine Winter Sports Center which also operates Black and Big Rock ski areas.
Winter Recreation Centers Seacoast Snow Park l Windham
This Snow Park now has a 5-acre terrain park (with 100′ vertical drop). It is also a learning and practice facility with a terrain garden for snowboards and the latest rage in ski equipment – ski boards.
Learn to snowboard and ski board programs and packages are available. Snowmaking.
Plan Your Maine Skiing Trip Today
Ski season in Maine is beautiful, the tall mountains blanketed in sparkling white snow bordering the clear blue sky. Maine’s ski areas impart unspoiled vistas of expansive forest, inland lakes, and one noted ski hill. This is the way skiing should be … in Maine’s great outdoors.
Maine’s northern location assures plentiful snowfall in winter, still downhill ski areas guarantee consistent quality skiing with snow-making coverage and modern grooming equipment.
Best of all, skiing in Maine is roomy, friendly, and fun in a setting that is unique the world over. A ski vacation in Maine just may be the perfect cure for cabin fever, so plan your Maine skiing trip today!