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Sunday River Resort offers family-friendly activities all season long

Newry, Maine (Winter 2012/2013)—Spanning across eight interconnected mountains, Sunday River Resort provides the perfect winter setting for family fun, from kid-friendly on-slope adventure trails to easily accessible Twin Zips and from Eddy the Yeti’s new house to live entertainment appropriate for children of all ages.

-Eddy the Yeti’s New Home:
New this winter, Sunday River’s most beloved mascot, Eddy the Yeti, is getting a real life-sized home.

Based on illustrations in the Eddy The Yeti book drawn by famed Maine artist Claudia Diller and written by Heidi Bullen, Eddy’s home will feature a real log finish and welcoming rustic décor, as well as small neighboring homes for his book-based friends, rabbit and squirrel.

Eddy’s home will be located just off of the popular Dream Maker trail and will be part of the resort’s new year-round Kid’s Adventure Trail. This off-slope getaway will provide an easy adventure for kids and the perfect location for special family-friendly events throughout the winter, not to mention a scenic spot for family photos.  

Eddy the Yeti, and his new friend Betty the Yeti, make appearances throughout the winter during weekends, holidays, and vacation weeks such as Children’s Festival Week scheduled for January 13–18, 2013.

Guests are invited to learn more about Eddy the Yeti online at www.sundayriver.com or pick up a copy of his book for sale at the resort’s Sunday River Sports shop and at both Grand Resort Hotels.

-Kid’s Adventure Trail:
For little rippers who want to tackle some off-trail skiing and snowboarding, Sunday River is designing a Kid’s Adventure Trail. Almost a mile in length, the Kid’s Adventure Trail will start near the mid-mountain Peak Lodge on North Peak and travel down to the South Ridge base area, becoming part of the resort’s winter and summer activities.

In the winter, kids can schuss down the trail and take advantage of fun stops along the way including Eddy the Yeti’s new log home and the resort’s Twin Zips. Come summer, educational signage will be added to the trail so families on foot can learn about the flora and fauna around them as they hike together or look for treasures while geocaching.

Part of Sunday River’s “Camp Sunday,” the Kid’s Adventure Trail moves the resort closer to its five-year plan to develop the resort’s 10,000-acre footprint with more family-friendly year-round activities.

-On-Slope Fun:
For on-mountain activities during the day, the Perfect Turn Ski & Snowboard School offers specific clinics for kids that emphasize safety, learning, and plenty of fun.

Children are grouped by age and ability with Mogul Munchkins for ages 3 to 6 (skiing only), and Mogul Meisters for ages 7 to 14 (skiing and snowboarding). Programs are available in half-day and full-day sessions.

For the little, little ones Perfect Turn offers Tiny Turns—a clinic dedicated to those 3-year-olds ready and willing to learn how to ski. Private Clinics are also available for the family that wants to learn and play together. 

For those tykes interested in terrain parks, Sunday River boasts five of them all geared toward varying abilities, including a mini- and superpipe.

Plus, for kids who can’t get enough skiing and riding while the sun is out, Sunday River’s 12-Hour Skiing/Riding allows families to keep going well after the sun sets. Available on Fridays, Saturdays, and select holiday weeks throughout the winter, 12-Hour Skiing/Riding includes eight lighted beginner/intermediate trails and two terrain parks—the intermediate South Ridge Jib Park and beginner-friendly Who-Ville.

Equipment rentals and lift tickets are available out of Sunday River Sports in South Ridge Base Lodge.

-Off-Slope Fun:
During the day, take to the woods for a 2-hour winter Zipline Tour or test out the frozen waters with a quick trip down the 750-foot Twin Zip! 

The White Cap Fun Center, located in the White Cap base area, includes a tubing park with two fun-packed banked runs plus a lighted ice-skating rink while the Shipyard Brewhaus, also located in the base lodge, offers a great starting or end point with kid-friendly menus.  

For something special, fireworks are displayed frequently throughout the season, primarily on holidays and select weekend nights. For the best vantage points, head to the South Ridge base area and grab a seat on one of the resort’s outside Adirondack chairs or head to the deck of the Foggy Goggle with a hot toddy or hot chocolate.

Evening entertainment with Sunday River’s Black Diamond Entertainment Series is an easy bet for family fun all winter long. All shows are located in the Grand Summit Resort Hotel Grand Ballroom and start at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

Last but not least, for something sweet, the Sunday River Sugaring House opens in
March just in time for Maine Maple Sunday, and provides an up-close and personal tour of a traditional New England maple syrup sugaring house. Here, guests learn about the process of making syrup while sampling the end product in candy form. 

-Special Events:
For bigger savings, Sunday River’s Children’s Festival Week, taking place January 14–18, 2013, is dedicated to families and full of activities including scavenger hunts, live entertainment, movies, and themed clinics. Best part about Children’s Festival Week? Kids can ski, snowboard, rent equipment, learn to ski/snowboard, and stay—all for free!

Finally, everyone loves the Easter Bunny! Sunday River’s ecumenical Easter sunrise service atop Barker Mountain is followed by the annual Easter Egg Hunt where kids can combine their love for finding candy with their love for skiing and riding.

For more information on family-friendly activities, events, and ski and stay packages visit www.sundayriver.com or call (800) 543-2754. 

About Sunday River—Sunday River is located minutes from picturesque Bethel Village in western Maine’s Mahoosuc Mountains. A true four-season destination, the Sunday River offers eight interconnected peaks of world class skiing and snowboarding, two Grand Resort Hotels and golf at the acclaimed Sunday River Golf Club. Sunday River is a member of the Boyne Resorts family of resorts and attractions.

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