Sunday River To Enhance Learning Terrain & Competition Venues With New Lifts

Sunday River Resort is installing four new surface lifts in preparation for winter 2019/20. These surface lifts will include three covered conveyor lifts to access the learning terrain on South Ridge, as well as a T-bar on Locke Mountain for alpine race and boardercross training and competitions.

With the new and beginner skier in mind, the resort will replace the existing surface lift on the Sundance trail in South Ridge with three new covered conveyors, which will allow for easier access to the learning terrain, and the ability to implement more progressive steps to the learning process.

The first will be an 80-foot conveyor from the SnowSports School to the Sundance trail. The second will be a 250-foot conveyor located in the center of the trail. From there, skiers and snowboarders can either descend down Sundance, or continue on to the third surface lift. The third lift will be 280-feet long, also located in trail-center, and will go to the top of the Sundance learning area.

With the new layout on the Sundance trail, Sunday River plans to incorporate terrain-based learning elements on one side of the upper surface lifts, and will have more traditional beginner terrain on the other side so that coaches in the SnowSports School can address the specific needs of their students.

“It’s very important to welcome the next generation of skiers and snowboarders to Sunday River,” says Director of SnowSports School, Matt Erickson. “These improvements will not only help our coaches to teach, but will improve the learning experience for newcomers to the sport.”

In partnership with Gould Academy, construction of a new T-bar on Locke Mountain began earlier this summer. The lift will be used for training and competitions on the Monday Mourning trail and adjacent Flow State boardercross course, enabling athletes to spend nearly 40 percent more time on snow by decreasing the time spent on lifts. This project was made possible by a successful fundraising campaign by Gould Academy, Alera Group, Bates College, the Sunday River Ski and Snowboard Club, and more.

“The installation of a T-bar to access this terrain establishes Sunday River and Gould Academy as one of the premier training and competition venues in the country,” says Kurt Simard, Director of On-Snow Programs for the Gould Academy Competition Program. “We are excited to continue to strengthen our program and partnership with this project.”