Skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain: Great Slopes for All Skill Levels at Maine’s Biggest Ski Area

Skiing Sugarloaf Mountain is an epic ski experience in Maine. Celebrating 75 years of skiing and fun in 2026, the Sugarloaf Ski Resort has tons of ski runs and lifts that work for any level of skier. From the beautiful green run all the way down from the summit to the straight shot double black diamonds, Sugarloaf is both hardcore and great for novice skiers. Also, did you know that it’s the largest ski area in Maine and the third highest in the Northeast? Yes, there are also Saddleback and Sunday River for large ski areas, but Sugarloaf is the biggest and tallest in the state.

We’ve got the full scoop on skiing at Sugarloaf coming from a seasoned ski instructor and solid green circle skier. We’re happy to share our tips and stories at Sugarloaf from our favorite lifts to the rental experience. If you have any questions about planning your own ski trip here, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan an unforgettable skiing adventure in Maine.

What Makes Skiing at Sugarloaf Special

Skiing is such a unique sport because there is such a culture built around it. Whether you have been skiing all around Maine or you travel around the country and world trying different ski slopes, you can feel the unique vibe and nuance of each ski destination, and Sugarloaf Mountain definitely has its own vibe and uniqueness. Hanging out in the mid-mountain lodge, Bullwinkle’s, or enjoying the après ski atmosphere in one of the village restaurants you can feel a comradery and openness not experienced in many places.

Everyone wants to share about their day on the slopes and ask about the places others have been. And if you like to mingle, no doubt you’ll get the chance to meet some of the ironmen of Sugarloaf who are on the mountain every day of the season. They have so much experience and expertise to share about the many runs and ski lifts, and you’d be remiss to not listen to their tips. It’s so fun to hear both the seasoned Sugarloafers and the newbies all talking about their favorite powder.

When it comes to being up on the mountain, Sugarloaf has lots of staff at the lifts and stations around the ski resort. Not all of us have a built in compass or maybe we just need to connect with a real person between runs, so having ski staff available to help you find the right route down to base or up to the top is key. Every now and then you’ll have to traverse a run that feels intimidating before you get to the terrain you’re looking for, and having that reassurance of staff to check your plans or get guidance is great. And if you’re not a question asker, there is plenty of signage and a few maps around Sugarloaf to help you navigate where you need to go.

Check out Sugarloaf’s website here for lift tickets and promos!

Ski Gear Rentals at Sugarloaf Mountain

Many visitors don’t have their own ski gear when they come to Sugarloaf and that’s okay. There is a complete ski rental shop at the base of the mountain and you can actually ski right out from there. Arrive a little before the ski lifts open to get your ski gear (or snowboard) rentals set up. They’ll work with you to be sure that you have properly fitting boots, the right ski style for your skill level, and they’ll help you make sure your helmet is properly fitted. Items like snow pants, gloves and ski masks are not available to rent, but there are several ski gear shops in the village located directly next to the slopes at Sugarloaf.

I know that skiing isn’t an every-year activity for everyone, but if you are heading up the mountain at Sugarloaf and aren’t properly outfitted, you’ll regret it. When you’re renting gear, talk with the staff to confirm what conditions are like up on the mountain. Sugarloaf is the tallest ski resort in Maine and at the summit it can be much more windy and cold, and even if you think you don’t need ski goggles, you may feel very differently. Just be sure you’re being safe and confirm with the staff what they recommend for the given conditions.

Gear for Skiing at Sugarloaf Mountain

In the dead of winter, Sugarloaf can be one of the coldest ski areas on the East Coast. While it’s not every day that the temperatures are below zero F, it does happen a lot and you need to be prepared for that. Anytime you’re packing for cold it’s important to dress in layers, and when you’re getting ready for downhill skiing in below freezing temperatures it’s extra important. Some hardcore skiers (or just hardcore Mainers) will hit the slopes looking a bit underdressed for the conditions, but let them do their thing. If you’re from a warm climate or just know how dangerous the cold temperatures of Maine can be, make sure that you’re dressing to combat both the cold and the wind.

I like to dress to be as warm as possible when I’m doing winter sports in Maine, knowing that I can always shed a layer and tie it around my waist. For mid-winter skiing at Sugarloaf, here’s my recommendation for layers:

• base layer for pants and shirt
• warm flexible pants
• warm shirt
• sweater or fleece (best with thumb holes)
• buff and balaclava (maybe a scarf also)
• glove liners and top gloves.

I know that for some long-time skiers that may seem like overkill, but when you’re cruising down the mountain with the icy wind hitting you from all sides, the extra protection is great and will allow you to stay out on the mountain longer.

Tip: I love using toe warmers. You use them just like hand warmers but they stick to your socks and add a heat source for hours, which is great when your toes really start to get cold on the mountain.

Favorite Runs for All Skill Levels at Sugarloaf

So, how should you approach skiing at Sugarloaf when there are 176 trails to choose from? Starting from the base, the Double Runner goes right from the staircase to the slopes and rental center. This is a double chair and drops you midway up the mountain. If you need a warm up, from here you can easily hit either the Boardwalk or Winter’s Way, then get back on to ride up to the Skyline lift. When you get off Skyline, you can take the crosscut over to the Timberline green run if you need the easiest route. This will help you meander down to the Timberline lift that goes to the summit (elevation of 4,237 feet).

Something cool about skiing Sugarloaf is that they actually have a green run all the way from the highest point to the base. There are some good slopes on the Timberline despite its green nature, but it’s the easiest route to the bottom via Horseshoe or Peavy Crosscut. If you are skiing down Sugarloaf and miss the route that takes you back to the Double Runner or Super Quad, you can hit the Bucksaw lift which gets you to a variety of both green and blue routes. Ultimately, if you’re a blue or black route skier, you’ll be fine navigating your way down from the top of Sugarloaf. If you need to stick to the green runs, pay attention to the signs and ask for help if you’re ever unsure if you’ve chosen a route you’re confident on. When in doubt, ask for help.

Download the full Sugarloaf Trail Map here!

My Favorite Ski Route at Sugarloaf

My favorite way to come down from the summit of Sugarloaf is to ski the Timberline green run to Bullwinkle’s, then the Spurline (blue) to the Peavy Crosscut to the Narrow Gauge. I’m not hardcore, but this route for sure provided plenty of speed, turns and challenges. I feel that it’s a good mix of confident skill slopes and manageable challenges for my ski level. I’m all about the fun of skiing and if I start to feel unsafe the fun goes away. I found that this route from the top of Sugarloaf gave me moments of healthy respect for gravity and carefree runs with good and safe feeling speed.

Is Sugarloaf on the EPIC or ICON ski pass?

Yes! Sugarloaf Mountain is on the IKON ski pass, so if you’re a passholder, you have access to the lifts and slopes here. There are some restrictions, so it’s not like you have 100% access for the whole ski season, but you have options. The IKON pass allows the following for access to Sugarloaf: Ikon Pass

• Ikon Pass — 7 days, no blackouts
• Ikon Base Pass — 5 days, some blackouts
• Ikon Session Pass — 2, 3 or 4 Total Days, some blackouts

Unfortunately, Sugarloaf is NOT on the Epic pass, but there are plenty of good access options if you have Ikon, are a local, or just want to purchase a multiday pass.

Getting to the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Area

Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Area isn’t crazy far from Augusta or Bangor, and it’s very manageable from Portland too. From Augusta it’s 1.5 hours driving, from Bangor it’s 2 hours, and from Portland it’s less than 2.5 hours driving. The roadways tend to be quite clear, as no matter your starting spot the route to Sugarloaf is very well travelled and well maintained. If you’re traveling from NEOC and the Millinocket area (if you’re on a winter sports Maine trip), it’ll take you about 3.5 hours to get to Sugarloaf as those are more of country roads and you’ll pass through lots of small towns.

Once you’ve made it to Sugarloaf, if you’re not staying at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel or in one of the condos with a chairlift to the base, there is actually a free shuttle that picks up from nearly every lodging area at Sugarloaf. The Sugarloaf Express runs all day from just before ski hours until a bit after, depending on the route. If you plan on hanging out for après ski or dinner, you may want to drive your own car up and park so you can easily get home at the end of the day.

Where to Stay for Sugarloaf Skiing

The easiest option for where to stay for a Sugarloaf ski trip is directly on the mountain at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, which is lovely and has ski lockers and is so easy for access to the mountain and village. I really like the room layouts with seating areas, wet bars, plenty of storage space and room to change in and out of ski gear. On property there is also a wonderful fitness center, a sauna and a large outdoor hot tub for guests.

Book the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel here!

There are also quite a few condos within the resort area that are just off their own chair lifts up to the slopes. Beyond the immediate resort, Carrabassett Valley has several lodge and vacation rental options as well, so you have quite a few choices to fit within your skiing dates and budget.

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!