Staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel: Comfort and Convenience on the Slopes

Did you know that if you’re planning a ski trip to Sugarloaf in Maine you can actually stay on the mountain? The Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel is located directly at the base of the chair lifts and is amazing for having an easy, fun ski getaway. So many ski areas, especially on the West Coast, don’t have accommodations directly on the mountain in the ski area, so if that’s all you know of skiing in the USA, getting to stay at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel will be a treat.

From room types to ideas for things to do at Sugarloaf after the slopes close, we’ve got lots of information. If you have any other questions or need some recommendations we didn’t cover, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a fun ski trip to Maine.

What Makes the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel so Great?

There really is something to be said about driving up to the slopes and then being able to check into a hotel that is directly at the ski lifts. While there are quite a few ski resorts in the Northeast that have hotels connected to or affiliated with them, the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel is a part of the ski trip experience. Doing a ski vacation is a big expense and so you want to make the most of your time, both by being on the slopes as much as possible and being able to enjoy the downtime and après ski to the max. The flexibility that staying at the base in the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel offers is exceptional.

When I talk about making the most of your time on a ski trip, I’m talking about not having to drive between your lodging and the ski lifts, about not having to deal with ski gear stored inconveniently, and about wasting time during the day with going back and forth to your hotel and wasting time. Having a ski locker come with your room adds value since you don’t need to do something like ski-valet or store your gear somewhere inconveniently. It’s nice to eat breakfast and then grab your gear and be to the lift right when it opens without having to deal with needing help to get set up.

At the end of the day, I know I’m tired from skiing, and if I had to drive to different lodging to de-layer and get comfortable, I know I’m not leaving again for après ski or dinner. Staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel you literally can pop up to your room, shed the ski pants and coat and then just head back down to the village level for whatever you need. In the mood to hang out with strangers and toast the day’s runs? Great. Need a solid dinner because you’re famish. Perfect. Looking for a cocktail before you turn in for the night. Got it. The convenience is THE best part of getting to stay at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel.

Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel Room Options

Interestingly enough, staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel during peak ski season is actually more affordable than you might expect. With rates as low as $189 depending on dates and room type, it’s actually more affordable than spending a weekend in Camden or downtown Portland. You might as well come enjoy the snow and save some money! The room type options, from most simple and affordable to grandest are:

• Standard Room (sleeps 3)
• Single Queen (sleeps 3-4)
• Two Queen (sleeps 4)
• One Bedroom Suite (sleeps 4 w/ separate areas)
• Two Bedroom Suite (sleeps 8 with different areas)
• Three Bedroom Penthouse Suite w/ private sauna and hot tub, 3.5 bathrooms and a full kitchen (sleeps 8+)

We found that the standard and superior rooms are just fine with ample space, including a wet bar and good sized closet. How much time are you going to be spending in the room on your ski trip to Sugarloaf anyways?

Book the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel here!

Amenities at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel

The amenities at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel really add to the time when you’re done skiing. Sure, the ski lockers and direct access the chairlifts are both awesome, but the hotel has more to it. The fitness center at the hotel is very large with plenty of cardio equipment, free weights and cable machine. There is a whole separate area for yoga and floor exercise, and it’s got a wonderfully calm atmosphere. The fitness center is located directly in the hotel building on the first floor so you don’t have to head outside. There is also a large sauna (coed) at the fitness center which felt amazing after a full day of skiing.

If you’re interested, there is also a very large outdoor hot tub that is meant for up to 30 people. I love being in a hot tub when it’s below freezing, and when you’ve been skiing and using muscles you don’t normally, it really hits the spot. In addition to the fitness center and hot tub located at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, there is another fitness club within the larger Sugarloaf Resort area.

In the condo section of the ski resort is the very large fitness club. Here you’ll find whirlpools in the men’s and women’s locker rooms, as well as a sauna in each. In the joint spaces is a huge indoor swimming pool and two more indoor hot tubs. There are also hot tubs that you can reserve outside. For the fitness/gym side of the center, there is a large weight room and a good selection of cardio equipment. There is also a quite fitness room on the ground floor for stretching and bodyweight work. This is located next to the spa. Access to this fitness club is an additional fee if you’re staying at the hotel.

Dining at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel

Even though there are several restaurants within the village at Sugarloaf, there is only one restaurant IN the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel. 45 North is located just off the lobby of the hotel and is open for breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is done as a buffet with made to order eggs, and then Après Ski and dinner are done with a standard menu. The breakfast spread is quite nice with lots of fresh fruit, pastries, a salmon lox station and a variety of juices. Breakfast is not included with your stay at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel unless you specifically booked a room rate that included it.

Restaurants in the Village at Sugarloaf

Just beyond the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel is the village as the base of the ski slopes. While the shops are open during the main part of the day, most closing by 4:00pm, the restaurants are open all day, and you have some good picks for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast can be gotten either at 45 North or D’Ellies, and there’s a walk-up coffee window as well. Lunch can be had at the food court in the main basecamp building, at Black Diamond Burritos, Bag & Kettle or Brickyard Hollow. But since you’ll likely be skiing, you can also grab lunch up on the mountain at Bullwinkle’s.

For dinner, you’ll have quite a few options, but I really like the Bag & Kettle for pizza or baked potatoes. There’s Brickyard Hollow Brewing for pizza and beer (they have several locations around Maine), and the Widowmaker for both après ski and a stand-up bar-style dinner. Also, the Red Pony is an awesome hole-in-the-wall cocktail bar with really beautiful drinks, if you’re looking for something to wind down the day or for Après Ski.

Parking and Location of Sugarloaf Mountain Resort

The Sugarloaf Ski Resort and Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel are located in Carrabassett Valley, Maine. It’s about 2.5 hours from Portland or 2 hours from Bangor, and the roads are very well maintained in the winter months (summer too). When you arrive, all parking around the ski resort is free all the time, but you need to adhere to parking signs and instructions, including making sure that your contact information is visible on your dashboard. There is a shuttle that goes around the whole Sugarloaf Mountain Resort, so if you’ve parked up top in E Lot you can catch the free shuttle down to the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center (skating and cross country skiing). It’s great and makes staying at the hotel easy.

Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel Operating Info

If you’d like to go ahead and book a stay here at the Sugarloaf Mountain hotel, below you’ll find all the info for reaching the property, if you want to inquire for more information or group stays, and booking links if you want to secure your accommodations now. [affiliate]

• Seasonality: open year round, summer is low season
• Property website: Sugarloaf.com
• Property phone number: 207-237-4201
• Check-in address: 5092 Sugarloaf Access Rd, Carrabassett Valley, ME 04947
• Book it here: Book the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel here!

More Things to do in the Highlands of Maine

The Highlands of Maine stretch from Bangor and sprawl to the north and west following the rise of the Appalachians. There are lots of small towns and state parks, and some of the most beautiful sights in Maine. I know that most people think of coastal Maine and its lighthouses when they think of what they’ll see when they come for a visit, but the Highlands are really the playground of Mainers. This region is why Maine is called “Vacationland” and you’ll see why when you come for a visit.

And you cannot forget that the Highlands is an epic winter playground too, with destinations like Sunday River, Saddleback and Sugarloaf. In winter you’ve got downhill and Nordic skiing, and in summer it’s all about hiking and fishing. During fall this is where you come for leaf peeping and to look for moose and other Maine wildlife.

Here are some great ideas for ways to enjoy the Highlands of Maine.

Where to Stay in the Highlands

Depending on the season you’re visiting the Highlands, you will have different options for where to stay. If you’re planning on climbing Mount Katahdin or doing a portion of the Appalachian Trail, Millinocket is a great place to be based. For other Appalachian Trail launch points you can find fun places to stay in Eustace, the Carrabassett Valley, and Rangely. Another amazing summertime destination is Greenville and Moosehead Lake.

For skiing you can stay in Newry or Hanover (for Sunday River), Rangely or Phillips (for Saddleback), or Carrabassett Valley for Sugarloaf. You’ll find lots of cross country / Nordic skiing all over, but the Katahdin Area Trails are great for it!