SAM Magazine—Carrabassett Valley, Maine, Feb. 16, 2024—Today, Sugarloaf is opening West Mountain, a new 120-acre terrain expansion served by a high-speed detachable quad with an uphill capacity of 2,400 skiers per hour, which terminates at the Bullwinkle’s restaurant near the midpoint of the 4,237-foot mountain. Nine of the planned 12 trails will open at the outset. The new area increases the resort’s skiable terrain by about 10 percent.

“The magnitude and pure impact of this type of terrain expansion can’t be understated,” said Sugarloaf president and general manager Karl Strand. “It’s the largest terrain expansion to happen in the Northeast since the late 1970s and to be able to pull this off ahead of [Presidents’ Day] vacation week is incredible.”

The new high-speed detachable quad will initially serve nine beginner and intermediate trails: Bucksaw, Feller Buncher, Hatchet, Horseshoe, Chipper, Beaver Tail, Whistle Punk, Knot Bumper, and West Mountain Crosscut.

“West Mountain creates a new family-friendly zone, something Sugarloaf has needed for quite some time,” said Strand. “The accessibility of the lift and terrain provides a progression platform unlike anything we’ve ever had here. Our instructors and families will have a separate zone, creating confidence and a ‘safe’ zone, if you will, for beginner and intermediate level skiers.”

The placement on the west side of Sugarloaf—Maine’s second-tallest mountain—also will provide a buffer against the ski area’s notorious winds, which often causes lift holds at higher elevations.

“The location of the lift is intentional,” said Strand. “We recognize and have addressed the need to mitigate windy days and the location of this lift does just that.”

Sugarloaf, owned by Boyne Resorts, now has 1,360 developed acres of skiable terrain. It’s the only resort in the Northeast with lift-served, above tree-line skiing.

— Reported by Bob Curley