Resort Safety
Below are safety programs that guide our guests' experience on the mountain.
To report an injury during ski hours, contact Ski Patrol at 207-824-5350. For after-hours assistance, call Public Safety at 207-824-5054.
Know the Code Before You Go
Skier Responsibility & Lift Safety
Responsibility Code
Skiing and riding can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross-country, and other specialized equipment, such as that used by adaptive skiers and riders.
Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing and riding that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce.
Observe the code and share with other skiers and riders the code for a great on-hill experience.
Be safety conscious. Officially endorsed by the National Ski Areas Association.
Up and Away
About Chairlifts
How to Ride a Chairlift Safely
What to do & How to Ride
Lift Safety
Before Loading
Prior to loading the chairlift, make sure that you have all the necessary equipment: poles, gloves, goggles, and helmet, etc.
Wait in the loading area, until it's your turn to board the chairlift. If you're a skier, hold both poles in one hand. Watch over your shoulder for the next chairlift to come, and sit on the chairlift just like you were sitting in a chair.
Use your free hand, if necessary, for balance and to hold on. Keep your ski tips pointed up as the chairlift moves outward and upward.
On the Chairlift
After leaving the loading terminal, lower the bar*, and keep it down for the duration of the lift ride. Read, and pay attention to signs as you near the top that prompt you to raise the bar and prepare to unload.
Should the lift stop for an extended period of time, or become disabled while you are riding, do not jump from the chair. Stay put, and remain calm. A member of Ski Patrol will be along shortly to provide information and instructions for an evacuation or alternative unload.
*If you are riding the Barker 6 or Jordan 8, the safety bar will automatically lower.
Unloading
As you prepare to unload, make sure you are holding your poles, and any other loose items, securely. Raise the bar completely* before you reach the unloading ramp. Keep your ski or snowboard parallel to the ground with the tips up, as to glide off the lift.
After you unload from the chairlift, ski clear of the unloading area to make room for the upcoming chairs and unloading passengers.
*If you are riding Barker 6, the safety bar will automatically raise as you approach the top terminal.
T-Bars & Surface Lifts
While riding you should:
- Stand with knees slightly bent
- Keep your skis parallel with tips pointed uphill
- Distribute weight evenly on both skis
- Look uphill - not at your ski tips
- Stay in the track; do not edge or traverse in path unless absolutely necessary
You should not:
- Sit on the T or lean against your partner
- Unload before reaching the top
- Edge or traverse in path
- Jump or bounce on the T
As you prepare to unload, make sure you and your riding partner are in agreement as to who will unload first and who will hold on to the T.
Check for any loose clothing, equipment or straps that could have become tangled, and be sure to release the T gently, to prevent it from swinging, as it continues to the bull wheel.
Clear the unloading area quickly, as other riders approach.
The other surface lifts here at Sunday River are the Sundance conveyor belts at South Ridge.
When preparing to load, wait for the lift operator to signal that it is safe for you to proceed into the loading area. Give at least two feet between you and the passenger ahead of you. Keep your skis parallel with the tips pointed uphill, and your weight evenly distributed on both skis.
Do not walk on the conveyor belt. As you unload, ski away from the unloading area quickly to allow for other passengers to unload.
Patrol
Save These Numbers
For emergencies, please call (207)-824-5350.
For non-emergent inquiries, please call (207)-824-5349 or email skipatrol@sundayriver.com
Sunday River Patrol provides first aid in their aid room located at South Ridge Lodge, adjacent to the Western Maine Mountain Clinic .
Follow the Patrol signs or find us on the ground level across from Betty’s Treats and Treasures.
Patrol also staffs the top of White Cap, Barker, Spruce, and Jordan peaks.
Slope Safety & Park Education
Our Terrain
Green Circle: This is the easiest terrain on the mountain. On our map, beginner learning areas and slow zones are marked with yellow hash marks.
Blue Square: Intermediate terrain. These trails have steeper pitches and may present more challenging snow than our green circle trails.
Black Diamond: Advanced terrain. These trails may feature natural obstacles like trees, rocks, moguls, and narrow sections.
Double Black Diamond: Expert terrain. These trails are for expert skiers and feature natural obstacles like trees, rocks, moguls, streams, and cliffs.
Freestyle Terrain and Terrain Parks: Features like jumps, rails, rollers, and boxes may be present. Below are details about our Park Education and Etiquette (PEEPs) program.
Additional Considerations
Our easiest Green trails are located in South Ridge and are served by conveyor lifts and chair lifts. Additional beginner terrain can be accessed via Lift 11 in White Cap.
Not all Green Circles are created equal. Some of our more challenging Green Circle trails include Bear Paw, Lollapalooza, and Dream Maker. These trails often ski at the difficulty of a Blue Square. If you find yourself stuck on terrain that is too challenging, contact Patrol at (207)-824-5350 for assistance.
Not all Blue Squares are created equal. Some of our more challenging Blue Square trails include Risky Business, Northern Lights, Rogue Angel, and Excalibur. Please exercise good judgment when selecting your route and account for your ability level as well as the ability of those in your group. '
If you find yourself stuck on terrain that is too challenging, contact Patrol at (207)-824-5350.
Go with the Flow
Sunday River's Go With The Flow program promotes the use of sound, personal judgment regarding speed and control when skiing and riding. Because "fast" skiing and riding may mean different things to different people, Go With The Flow reminds skiers and riders to be courteous and follow the pace of those around them.
- Be Aware - Pay attention to your surroundings.
- Respect Slow Zones - Slow down at orange signs and all trail junctions.
- Follow the Pace - Faster than those around you is too fast.
Park Education & Etiquette
The Park Education & Etiquette Program, or PEEPs, is an educational program focused on terrain park safety developed for Sunday River and our sister Boyne Resorts mountains. Program participants receive a special PEEPs pass and qualify for special savings and rewards.
Sunday River promotes the Smart Style program and uses the Orange Oval to designate Freestyle Terrain, such as parks and pipes. Before using Freestyle Terrain, you are responsible for familiarizing yourself with Freestyle Terrain and following all instructions, warnings, and signs. Freestyle skills require maintaining control on the ground and in the air.
- Look Before You Leap - Scope around the jumps first, not over them. Know landings are clear, and clear yourself out of the landing area.
- Easy Style It - Start small and work your way up.
- Respect Gets Respect - From the lift line through the park.
Permitted On-Snow Equipment
Sunday River allows the use of alpine skis, snowboards, monoboards, snowblades, and telemark equipment for lift-serviced recreational activities. Sno-Go Ski Bikes are permitted on certain lifts; please see the "Ski Bike" policy below. Snowskates with a runaway preventative device may also be used, but only on the Chondola lift and only when loading into cabins. Other types of sliding equipment are not permitted at the resort, except for specialized equipment used through the Maine Adaptive program. Please contact Guest Services if you have questions about permitted equipment.
Children without their own equipment may not be carried by hand or by backpack by an adult with equipment, or towed in a sled behind them.
Guests without equipment may ride the Chondola chairlift with a scenic ride lift ticket or with a season pass. They must download in a Chondola cabin to return to the base.
Permitted
- Alpine Skis
- Alpine Snowboards
- Snowshoes
- Telemark Skis
- Sno-Go Bikes
- Adaptive Equipment used through the Maine Adaptive program
- Alpine Touring equipment with equipment restraints/tethers (ski breaks, leashes, etc.)
Prohibited
- Cross Country Skis
- Sleds, Saucers, Toboggans, etc.
- Snow Skates, Snurfers, Pow Surfers, or any device that does not have equipment tethers
- Carrying a child or pet in a backpack, bjorn, etc.
- All other Ski Bikes
- Any other type of sliding equipment
Technical Alpine Touring bindings without restraints