Mountain Guide
Finding Your Happy Place means many things to many people. For some, it’s a specific spot on the mountain while for others, it can only be described as that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you get there – and by “there” we mean when you’ve found yours.
Whether you know your Happy Place by heart or you’re in search of one (or more), Sunday River is a huge resort with many places to explore. By numbers, we boast 8 interconnected mountain peaks with 132 trails and 751 acres, plus over a thousand acres filled with secret stashes thanks to our Boundary-to-Boundary Policy. From one end to the other, it’s three miles of the best skiing and snowboarding on earth. So set forth my friend, and discover your very own Happy Place using our guide below as a compass.
At the eastern end of the resort, White Cap features some of the most challenging terrain at Sunday River with steeps and glades, including the legendary “longest steepest widest lift-serviced trail in the east,” White Heat. Obsession is a long black run full of rolls and variation in pitch, while the lower third of the mountain is perfect for those just starting out. Looking for some park-worthy fun? Check out the scene on Starlight boarder and skiercross course, or take to the woods for some all natural fun in The Sticks terrain park.
Next is Locke Mountain, where the first runs on the mountain were cut in the late 1950s. Ironically, it is also the first peak to open for the season each year. Predominantly intermediate, trails include favorites like Cascades, Monday Mourning, and Sunday Punch. The lower section of Locke is also home to our Superpipe and the Rocking Chair terrain park where the annual Dumont Cup is held each spring.
Barker Mountain features a high-speed quad serving a variety of popular runs which makes this mountain one of the local favorites. The beginner Three Mile Trail starts here and winds across the mountain. Ecstasy is a great intermediate trail leading back to the lower trails on Locke, and Right Stuff is one of the most popular advanced runs at the resort. Home to some of our biggest past events including the Visa Snowboarding World Cup and NCAA race events, guests are invited to check out the action on Monday Mourning or any of our mountain arenas where many future race stars are born.
Spruce Peak is well-known for its two long intermediate cruisers, Risky Business and American Express, and the short and steep bump run Downdraft - a perfect spot to find stashes of new snow after a storm or a snowmaking spree. Spruce Peak also offers quick access to the western peaks of Oz and Aurora with the beginner-friendly run Sirius. Hungry? Use Overdraft off of American Express to get to the Peak Lodge and top terminal of the Chondola.
South Ridge is the center of the resort and the most popular entry point for most skiers and riders. The trails are all beginner with the exception of the South Ridge Jib Park which offers a variety of freestyle rails and jibs. Most trails are lighted for 12 Hour Skiing/Riding. South Ridge is also home to most resort amenities including the Perfect Turn Ski and Ride School, retail outlets, food options like the Foggy Goggle and more.
North Peak is home to the popular mid-mountain Peak Lodge and a variety of great beginner and intermediate runs including Dream Maker, a family favorite. North Peak is services by its own high-speed quad on weekends and holidays, and can be skied off the Chondola at other times. North Peak is also lighted for 12 Hour Skiing/Riding and is the location of Dining at The Peak which takes place on Saturdays throughout the winter.
Aurora Peak features a mix of intermediate and advanced terrain, and one of the best glades at the resort: Celestial. It is quite, secluded and a local favorite. On powder days, Aurora is one highly sought after mountain peak!
Oz is a unique bowl with advanced and super advanced terrain. Runs here include a mix of glades and open trails full of natural terrain features and steep pitches. Midweek this peak is accessed via the Jordan Bowl Express chairlift. When you’re here, you definitely don’t feel like you’re in Kansas anymore!
Jordan Bowl boasts the best scenery at the resort as well as some of the longest and best runs. All abilities will find something to their liking here, with long beginner and intermediate cruisers like Lollapalooza and Excalibur which was voted by Yankee Magazine as a “Best Cruiser.” Plus, sandwiched between both Lollapalooza and Excalibur is the resort’s largest glade, Blind Ambition.
To get better acquainted with the mountain, check out our Trail Maps and don't miss our Photo Gallery.
