Sunday River Resort Welcomes 300 Skiing And Snowboarding Santas To The Slopes

With the holiday season around the corner, 300 skiing and snowboarding Saint Nicks are ready to glide their way into Sunday River's annual Santa Sunday on December 2, 2018. Registration took place online on November 26 and is now sold out. 

Now in its 19th year, the highly anticipated event raises money to support the River Fund, which supports community-focused efforts in the Sunday River region. On the day of the event, 250 Saint Nicks arrive at the base of South Ridge for Santa Sunday to complete a required check-in at 10:30 A.M. During this time, the Santa's $20 donations to the River Fund are collected, and their holiday garb is inspected.

After inspection, all Santas are given a free lift ticket to use the morning of the event and an additional free lift ticket to use between December 3 and December 14, 2018. Donning a red hat and a jolly smile, each Kris Kringle rides up the South Ridge Express lift just after 11:00 A.M. to the Broadway trail, ready to spread holiday cheer. Spectators should arrive at South Ridge at 11:00 A.M. for a good vantage point. 

"There's something about seeing 300 Santas ski down the mountain to support a great cause that puts people in the holiday spirit. Plus, we have more early season snow than ever before, so it will be a great day to hit the slopes, " says Caroline Ochtera, Director of Events for Sunday River.  

New this year, the resort has made this a Santa Weekend, adding the first-ever Holly Jolly Fun Run 5K race to the events calendar on Saturday, December 1. Registration for the 5K is open through November 30, 2018, and the cost is $20 per person, which is also donated to the River Fund.