Sunday River ski vacations are reliable because of the best snowmaking in New England. Skiing on eight interconnected peaks for the longest season in New England, from October to May typically (opening October 29, 2011 and November 6, 2012), Sunday River guarantees some the best snow conditions in the East. It takes days to ski all of Sunday River's terrain, from the perfectly groomed runs off the Chondola on North Peak and South Peak, to bumps on Agony and lots of turns on Top Gun and the signature trail Sunday Punch. White Heat is the longest steepest widest trail in the East, while Lollapalooza on the opposite extreme of Sunday River's miles of terrain is scenic and sauntering - part of Jordan Bowl - the highest of Sunday River's six peaks of skiing.

It's easy to get around Sunday River given their modern, swift lift system with several trails dedicated to every mountain pod with about 1,200-1,500' vertical skiing each. Just be sure to set up meeting times and places with your party since there are several base areas, White Cap, Barker, South Ridge and Jordan. We recommend you ride each lift and take a few runs at each ski peak, White Cap and Tempest, to Barker, Spruce, and North Peak, then Aurora and Jordan Bowl furthest west.

Lodging at Sunday River Resort comes down to one of the two Grand hotels - The Grand Summit or the Jordan Grand Hotel and Spa are both on the slopes with outdoor heated swimming pools, ski check, restaurants and a cafe in the hotel, and fitness facilities plus spa services. While these hotels are not as fancy as they sound (“grand”) with 2 and 3-diamond ratings, their on mountain location is convenient with ski storage and both Sunday River ski hotels sport fantastic outdoor heated pools with views of the slopes where you just skied.

The slopeside condominium rentals at Sunday River may not make Condé Nast's "luxury" list, but Sunday River's hotels and condos do score high for ski in/ski out location and typically good value for your ski vacation dollars when you buy a ski and stay package with lift tickets and lessons included.

For a truly unique Sunday River skiing experience, sign up for Sunday River First Tracks, and get on the lift before the mountain opens to the public on weekends and ski holidays. You will be skiing on our private mountain at 7:15am, with perfect corduroy, or perhaps fresh powder with a few members of Sunday River's management team - a true treat for a select few lucky skiers.

We recommend you ski to North Peak Lodge around 10am for a midmorning snack of their homemade sticky buns warm and fresh from the oven, best with a hot cocoa or coffee and a view of the ski slopes. For a ski in ski out lunch with table service and a view, go to the Foggy Goggle at South Ridge, The Shipyard Brewhaus at the White Cap Lodge or Sliders if you are over at Jordan Bowl. For après ski at Sunday River, The Foggy Goggle rocks with live bands on weekends as does the Matterhorn Ski Bar just down the Sunday River access road.

For a truly unique Sunday River lodging experience, Ski Esta is ski mansion with fantastic views of Sunday River, just a few miles from the ski slopes. There are a few other luxury Sunday River properties in the area.

You will also find plenty of great ski bars like the Phoenix and The Matterhorn at Sunday River, and some top restaurants in the town of Bethel – Ski Magazine named Bethel in the top 10 ski resort towns in the country. See a complete Sunday River lodging directory.

Sunday River Photos and Images