Columbus Day Weekend stoke for skiers

Columbus Day weekend in New England means two things:
1. peak foliage and
2. ski season isn’t so far away.

Die hard skiers start to get amped mid-October, knowing their favorite time of year is drawing near. The three-day weekend including Columbus Day Monday is an ideal time to head to the mountains to quench that alpine anticipation.

Gathering at the base of the mountain with fellow ski fans to admire prime fall foliage and enjoy a frosty beverage is a tradition at Sugarloaf and Sunday River in Maine. There’s more than just pretty leaf peeping planned. Sugarloaf hosts Homecoming and Sunday River holds the wacky Wife Carrying Competition. Here’s what’s happening at these two Maine ski resorts this weekend.

Saturday October 11 at Sunday River Resort is your chance to witness the 15th Annual North American Wife Carrying Championship, this wildly popular event draws thousands of spectators to watch 50 couples crash, dash and splash through an obstacle course, over log hurdles and through a mud pit. Wives get wet and muddy, guys get hurt and the winner gets their wife’s weight in beer. Sound fun? You must see this event in person. For additional entertainment at Sunday River, the Chondola will be operating for scenic chairlifts rides, live bands will play at the South Ridge Base Lodge by the beer and wine tents, and the 31st Annual Blue Mountain Arts & Crafts Fair takes place too. Sunday at the River is a new event, the New England Corn Hole Championship where some lucky duo will take home $500 in this classic Yankee toss. It’s also “Sunday Bloody Sunday” with Bloody Mary’s. For family fun, Sunday River’s Fall Festival weekend includes wagon and pony rides, chainsaw carving demonstrations, and a ski sale at Sunday River Sports.

Sugarloaf’s annual Homecoming Weekend is always Columbus Weekend. Loafers come out of summer hibernation to pay homage to the prime foliage, and hike 2400 vertical feet to the summit – three miles, all smiles in the Uphill Climb Race. Sunday’s three mile mountain climb ends with beer and lunch at Bullwinkle’s. Other fun fall activities at the Loaf this weekend include the CVA Used Ski Equipment Sale, the Upcountry Artist Show, Sugarloaf’s Annual Meeting, free scenic chairlift rides, The Jay Moody Memorial Golf Tourney, and the Maine Outdoor Film Festival at Sugarloaf’s Beach Saturday at 7pm.

Enjoy the three-day weekend, get your ski gear out of the basement and ready to go. It’s only a few weeks till we have snow, skiing and snowboard season.

By Heather Burke, Fall Photos @ Sunday River, by Greg Burke