Sunday River – A Maine Resort for All Seasons
Ski Lift on Sunday River Ski Resort
The Sunday River Resort, located five miles outside of Bethel, Maine, is a year-round resort offering four seasons of alpine recreation in the mountains of western Maine.
It being winter at the moment, Sunday River is THE ski destination for Maine and the surrounding states. With 132 trails and 16 lifts spread across eight interconnecting mountains, this ain’t no backwater ski hill. Ski operations are supported during the season with snowmaking machines, and the runs provide the full range of green/blue/black/diamond skill levels. Six terrain parks offer rails, jumps, pipes, boxes, and other features dependent upon the snow levels.
Sunday River Bridge in Maine
Sunday River is also an excellent destination for spring, summer, and fall. Crowds pack it in during the height of fall foliage, and visitors have thus far taken at least a million photos of the Sunday River Covered Bridge, which was built in 1872 and graces calendars year after year.
In the summer months, Sunday River changes from a ski resort into a golf course. The Sunday River Golf Club has been ranked as the #1 course in Maine by Golfweek magazine, and one of the ‘Top Ten Best New Courses in the World’ by Travel & Leisure Golf. Visitors can indulge in the 7,130-yard course and challenge themselves with the dramatic elevation changes. After a day of golf, players can indulge in food and drinks in the log and stone clubhouse. The course is open to the public, although memberships are also available.
The Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Jordan Grand Resort Hotel, both excellent places to stay during the ski season, remain open during the summer and offer ‘Stay and Play’ Golf Packages throughout the golf season.
Sunday River in Summertime
Finally, mountain biking, hiking, and fishing enthusiasts will find plenty to occupy themselves throughout the Bethel region. Sunday River’s ski trails are open during the summer for mountain biking and hiking, and the lifts can give you a ride up the mountain if you want to coast downhill at speed.
For more information, visit Sunday River’s official website.
Photo Credits (in order of appearance):
- “IMG_2391.JPG” by Jon Keegan on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Sunday River Bridge” by Cruadin on Flickr Creative Commons.
- “Sunday River” by Just Us 3 on Flickr Creative Commons.