Sunday River vs Sugarloaf: which should you pick?
Maine's two biggest resorts. Sunday River spreads across several peaks and is closer to Portland and Boston; Sugarloaf is more remote, with big, above-treeline snowfields. As of November 8, 2026, Sunday River has 8.5" of snow forecast over the next 7 days and Sugarloaf has 13.5".
Pick Sunday River if…
- You want a shorter drive
- You want lots of groomers across several peaks
- You're skiing with kids
Pick Sugarloaf if…
- You want above-treeline terrain rare in the East
- You want a ski-in/ski-out village
- You don't mind a longer drive
Sunday River vs Sugarloaf by the numbers
| Stat | Sunday River | Sugarloaf |
|---|---|---|
| Snow next 7 days | 8.5" | 13.5" |
| Snow next 14 days | 8.9" | 15.6" |
| Average annual snowfall* | 155" | 200" |
| Snowiest months | Jan, Feb, Mar | Jan, Mar, Feb |
| Pass (2026-27) | Ikon Pass | Ikon Pass |
| Summit elevation | 3,140 ft | 4,237 ft |
| Base elevation | 800 ft | 1,417 ft |
| Vertical drop | 2,340 ft | 2,820 ft |
| Nearest airport | Portland International Jetport (PWM) | Portland International Jetport (PWM) |
| Opening day | Scheduled Nov 15 | Scheduled Nov 20 |
| Location | Maine | Maine |
Forecasts are mid-mountain from Open-Meteo, updated every 6 hours. Snowiest months come from 10 seasons of modeled weather data. *Average annual snowfall is resort-reported (sources: Sunday River, Wikipedia, Sugarloaf, Wikipedia).
Plan a Sunday River trip
Plan a Sugarloaf trip
Sunday River vs Sugarloaf FAQ
Which is better, Sunday River or Sugarloaf?
Maine's two biggest resorts. Sunday River spreads across several peaks and is closer to Portland and Boston; Sugarloaf is more remote, with big, above-treeline snowfields.
Which gets more snow, Sunday River or Sugarloaf?
On average, Sugarloaf reports more snow: about 200 inches a year, compared with about 155 inches at Sunday River (resort-reported averages). As of November 8, 2026, Sunday River has 8.5" of snow forecast over the next 7 days and Sugarloaf has 13.5".
Which is higher, Sunday River or Sugarloaf?
Sugarloaf has the higher summit at 4,237 ft. Sunday River tops out at 3,140 ft and Sugarloaf at 4,237 ft.
Which has more vertical, Sunday River or Sugarloaf?
Sugarloaf has more vertical: 2,820 ft from base to summit, versus 2,340 ft at Sunday River.
Are Sunday River and Sugarloaf on the Epic or Ikon Pass?
Sunday River: Ikon Pass. Sugarloaf: Ikon Pass. Pass coverage is for the 2026-27 season; see Ikon vs Epic for blackout dates.
What airports serve Sunday River and Sugarloaf?
Sunday River: Portland International Jetport (PWM). Sugarloaf: Portland International Jetport (PWM).