Sunday River is still in fifth gear!
This weekend at Sunday River is the annual Parot Head Festival!
I was at this event last year and it was a great time…absolutely worth checking out.
There is a ton more happening the rest of this season up there, keep reading for Events, Deals, and News…
huge crowds and sunshine last season at the Parrot Head Festival — White Cap base area.
From Sunday River, ME
Parrot Head Festival, Firefighters Race, Chili Cookoff and Maine Handicapped Ski-a-thon Highlight Sunday River Spring Festival
NEWRY, MAINE (March 19, 2008) – Sunday River’s biggest party of the year, Parrot Head Weekend is slated for April 4-6 and features nearly 20 events spread over three days including four different Jimmy Buffet cover bands, the infamous margarita mixoff, pond skimming, the Bust ‘n’ Burn mogul competition and more. The Parrot Head Festival was recently ranked as one of Skiing Magazine’s top 5 Mountain Fests. More information is available at http://www.sundayriver.com/parrothead.html.
The fundraising weekend, which benefits the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Maine, kicks off Friday night with the Parrot Head Prime-up Party at White Cap Lodge at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday action will begin with the Bust ‘n’ Burn mogul competition at 9:30 a.m. New England’s top amateur and pro bump skier competition will consist of over 200 competitors racing down Tempest with spectators looking on from the White Cap base area. The day will also feature live entertainment from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., BBQ, and a argarita mixoff at 2:00 p.m. Saturday night heats up with the Parrot Head Concert and Party at the White Cap Lodge featuring Jimmy Buffet Cover bands.
Sunday the party continues with the top finalists in the Bust ‘n’ Burn competition battling it out for cash and other prizes starting at 10:00 a.m., pond skimming at 11:00 a.m., a key lime pie eating contest at 1:00 p.m. and the Bust ‘n’ Burn awards ceremony at the conclusion of the competition.
New England Pass
March and April guests will be able to take advantage of significant savings on the recently announced New England Pass valid at Sunday River, Sugarloaf and Loon Mountain for the 2008-2009 season. Renewing pass holders can save an additional $50 and new pass holders can ski for free after March 23. New England Passes start at $349. More information is available at www.newenglandpass.com.
And HOW ABOUT this News! A huge improvement for mountain navigation at Sunday River.
Sunday River Announces Installation of First Chondola in the Northeast as Part of $14 Million in Summer Upgrades
Innovative hybrid lift signals first step in long-term transformation as member of the Boyne Resorts family
NEWRY, MAINE (March 26, 2008) – New England skiers and snowboarders will be experiencing a new mode of mountain transport during the 2008-2009 winter season as Sunday River prepares to install the first Chondola in the Northeastern U.S. The $7.2 million hybrid lift is one of four in North America and will transport skiers, snowboarders and summer guests from the South Ridge Base Area to the summit of North Peak, a location from which six of Sunday River’s eight peaks are directly accessible. The Chondola will play an integral role in the expansion of four season Resort amenities and allow for foot passenger access to the mid-mountain Peak Lodge.
A Chondola is a high-speed detachable six-person chairlift that carries gondola cabins at regular intervals. The lift is being manufactured by Doppelmayr CTEC and is slated to be open to the public in the winter of 2008-2009, pending state approvals. A trip previously requiring two lift rides by skier and snowboarders will be reduced to one. Summer, special event and mountain bike guests will also gain access to North Peak via the Chondola.
The Chondola is the marquis element in an upgrade plan at Sunday River that accounts for nearly $20 million worth of investments since joining the Boyne Resorts family. New trails will be cut from the summit of North Peak. $1.7 million will be invested in snowmaking equipment including new Boyne Low-E fan guns as the Resort continues in the quest to double the amount of snow that can be made at one time, while reducing energy usage. $1.4 million will be invested in resort condos and hotels including new Boyne Beds. New bike and walking paths will be constructed to connect base areas and lodging properties. Additional details regarding this summer’s $14 million in upgrades will be announced in the coming months pending state and local approvals.
The location of the Chondola will serve to improve a wide range of Sunday River experiences. The Resort’s primary beginner terrain will see a decrease in advanced and intermediate skier traffic as the majority of resort guests are transported elsewhere via the Chondola. The trip to the summit of North Peak will be accomplished in one lift ride rather than two allowing faster access to Sunday River’s entire breadth of terrain. The option of open air or enclosed transport will be appealing on warm or cold days. Summer and event guests will be able to reach the Peak Lodge in one lift ride and in inclement weather via gondola cabins.
Preliminary planning to offer 12-hour skiing on North Peak and South Ridge continues and could be available as soon as next season pending local approvals. Any 12-hour skiing will be serviced by the Chondola and would incorporate the mid-mountain Peak Lodge.
Oh yeah, there is also still tons of snow up there…make it fit into oyur plans this spring.
Think Corn Snow,
S.G.
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