Family Ski Vacations: 10 Reasons to Choose Sunday River

By Tracy Keleher

Conveniently located in Newry, Maine, and bordering one of New England's most charming ski towns, Bethel, the mountain is part of the Presidential Slopes that range from Maine to the New Hampshire border. The charm of Bethel and the skiing at Sunday River makes this a perfect destination for a winter family excursion

We’ve taken our family to Sunday River every March break for the past 8 years. Why do we eagerly return year after year? Here are 10 reasons why:

• With 8 mountain peaks, Sunday River is huge! You can spend a good portion of the day cross - trailing and discovering the beauty of these slopes. I can't imagine a more perfect place to introduce young skiers to the thrill of skiing from the top.
• While Sunday River is clearly heaven on earth for younger skiers, the seasoned skier will tell you that it offers a diversity of terrain and well-made snow to keep them equally challenged. We personally enjoyed watching "the experts" ski through bump and steeps from our chair lift and again at the mid-mountain lodge and restaurant.
• We stay at the Grand Summit Resort Hotel which is located at the base of the mountain. While you won't find 5 star services at the hotel you will enjoy the outdoor heated pool and hot tub with a mountain view, the game room and the lodge style fireplace located in the lobby. Most rooms and suites include full kitchens.
• You'll find many child-friendly eating options at the mountain including the Shipyard Brewhaus at White Cap Fun Center, where you can enjoy turbo riding, video gaming or ice skating before or after a hearty meal. If you manage to get the entire family to the top stop at North Peak's Lodge for lunch or just a hot chocolate break, you'll find good food and good views!
• The Perfect Turn® Ski instruction is a ski school program that was originated at Sunday River by the founder of American Skiing Company. Perhaps it is this history or perhaps it is just pure plain Maine pride, but you can sense a strong dedication to teaching you and/or (especially) your children the safety aspects and the fun of skiing. All three of my children learned their ski and boarding skills at Perfect Turn. Parents receive nicely written “report cards” outlining their child’s progress at the end of each session.
• Younger children (or non-skiers) can spend the day in childcare. Children have fun doing a variety of activities including getting out and playing in the snow. You can also book a private lesson for your tot during childcare hours with a friendly qualified instructor.
• The Sunday River Resort area itself is so large that they offer free shuttle service throughout the day and nights up to 12 pm. Trolley buses and resort shuttles provide continuous service linking hotels and condominiums on the mountain with Sunday River's ski lifts, base lodges, restaurants and entertainment.
• What child doesn’t like a tubing park? Sunday River’s Tubing Park offers 1 run on the hill behind White Cap Lodge. It is run by a surface lift and is fully lit for night operations. After a day of skiing and late afternoons in the heated outdoor pool, most children are ready for bed. If you can squeeze in an evening visit to this park you won’t be disappointed!
• Sunday River is well equiped for emergencies. There's even a hospital with nurses and doctors on-site. Unfortunatly, I discovered this first hand. A few years ago I had a fall (my fault), near the top of one of the mountains. Not only were the ski patrol at my side quickly but their services were friendly and highly professional. I was brought down the mountain by sled, and at the hospital within minutes, where I was examined, x-rayed, and out the door within an hour.
• There's simply never a dull moment! With Spa Services, Terrain Parks, Apres Ski Entertainment, and even Fireworks, we come home exausted and brimming with memories to last a lifetime!