In the week since it opened, Sugarloaf’s lift-serviced downhill mountain bike park already attracted hundreds of cyclists. More trails are under construction.
The expansion increases Sugarloaf's skiable acreage by nearly 10%, and is part of a 2030 “road map,” which includes development of housing and amenities.
This summer Maine will see the return of the Gran Fondo Hincapie Bangor bicycle road race, the Ironman 70.3 Maine in Augusta and the XTERRA Trail Running Championship will be in Carrabassett Valley.
With cold nights for snowmaking, Maine's ski areas are looking to rebound from the Dec. 18 rains and flooding, which melted snowpack and washed out roads and infrastructure.
This summer's rain and fog have put a damper on some businesses, especially those like Funtown Splashtown, an amusement park and waterpark in Saco that relies on fair weather to drive business.
Skiers will travel up the mountain in just over four and a half minutes, which reduces the current ride time by a third. Major investments also include snowmaking system upgrades, with work to begin at the end of ski season.