Snowmaking For The 2023-24 Season Begins At Sunday River

Winter preparations are underway at Sunday River Resort. Early this morning, the dedicated snowmakers and Mountain Operations teams fired up the snow guns, blanketing snow across the Jordan Bowl and Locke Peak. The countdown is officially on for the beginning of the 2023-2024 ski season, and the stage is set for an early skiing experience like no other.

New this year, winter operations are set to kick off in the Jordan Bowl. Weather permitting, guests can look forward to top-to-bottom skiing and a selection of trails serviced by the 8-place Doppelmayr D-Line chairlift, the Jordan 8. Boasting eight heated seats, a weather-protective bubble, and a swift ride time of just over 4 and a half minutes, guests are in for an early-season adventure in Sunday River style.

The Jordan Hotel will offer ski-in, ski-out lodging earlier than ever before, complete with slope side dining options and guest services support in the Jordan 8 terminal. As a result of the extensive snowmaking efforts on Lollapalooza and surrounding trails, guests can expect uninterrupted runs from the summit to the base with convenient ski-in/ski-out access from the Jordan Day parking lot.

Steve Boulanger, Vice President of Mountain Operations for Sunday River, emphasized, "Given sustained sub-freezing temperatures, our team is diligently preparing for the exciting return of skiers and snowboarders.”

During the summer, the resort tripled the water capacity in the Jordan Basin by upgrading existing snowmaking infrastructure and completing the installation of nearly two miles of twenty-inch snowmaking pipe, linking the recently completed North Peak Booster Pump House to the summit of the Jordan Bowl.

Opening this season, the Barker 6, with six heated ergonomic seats wrapped in Sunday River's iconic red bubble, is a pioneering addition to the resort’s lift fleet designed by Doppelmayr. In tandem with sister resort Big Sky, Sunday River stands as a leading destination with two cutting-edge D-Line lifts. Barker 6 will proudly hold the distinction of being one of North America's fastest six-person aerial lifts; an exclusive feature found only at Boyne Resort properties.

Brian Heon, Sunday River’s General Manager, emphasized, “Snowmaking remains a top investment and operational priority to ensure we deliver The Most Dependable Snow in New England for our valued guests. Completing our snowmaking test following these substantial infrastructure upgrades signals our readiness to begin making snow as soon as temperatures allow.”

Although the resort has not yet set an official opening date, a test gives Sunday River’s snowmakers the go-ahead to crank the system at full capacity—10,000 gallons of water and 54,000 cubic feet of air per minute, producing four-acre feet per hour—at the first sustained cold snap with temperatures between 25-30 degrees overnight.

In addition to snowmaking upgrades, the resort is also nearing completion on a brand new Doppelmayr 6-place chairlift, the Barker 6. Like the Jordan 8, the Barker 6 will have individual, heated seats, a weather protective bubble, and a ride time of just over four and a half minutes. Replacing the Barker Express as a key lift at the heart of the resort, the Barker 6 will be a revolutionary experience, and is set to open this season.

With the spotlight on the advancements made to their existing snowmaking and chair lift infrastructure, these upgrades mark a significant step forward in affirming the resort’s position as a premiere ski destination in the Northeast, ushering in a new era in snowmaking technology and lift advancements.