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Maine Ski Areas Prepare to Open for Season

Snow has begun falling at higher elevations as Maine resorts make snow ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Skiing

Snowmaking gun spraying a fine arc of white snow across a bare Maine mountain slope beneath a dark conifer treeline.
Maine ski resorts began making snow and saw natural snowfall at higher elevations as they prepare to open for the 2026-27 season. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Ski areas across Maine are preparing to open for the 2026-27 season after snow fell at higher elevations and reached the base of Sugarloaf Mountain on November 9. Sunday River received its first natural snowfall of the season on Sunday.

Why it matters

The early snow and snowmaking efforts signal that Maine's ski resorts are moving toward their opening dates, giving skiers and snowboarders a clearer timeline for planning winter trips. Resorts rely on snowmaking to build a base before natural snow arrives.

Sugarloaf Mountain plans to open Friday, November 20, while Sunday River has targeted November 15 and Saddleback has targeted December 4. Four Maine areas had not announced their seasons as of Tuesday morning.

The players

Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf is a major ski resort in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, known as one of the largest ski areas in the eastern United States.

Sunday River

Sunday River is a large ski resort in Newry, Maine, part of the Maine ski industry's major destinations.

Saddleback

Saddleback is a ski resort in Rangeley, Maine, known for its mountain terrain and northern Maine location.

The details

Ski areas are making snow with snowmaking systems and snow guns. Sunday River's Locke Mountain Triple lift began spinning first, and the resort posted video of snow on its eight peaks on Monday.

Timeline

  1. October 26: Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton began testing its snow guns.

  2. November 9: Snow reached the base of Sugarloaf Mountain.

  3. November 15: Sunday River's targeted opening date.

  4. November 20: Sugarloaf Mountain's scheduled opening day.

  5. December 4: Saddleback's targeted opening day.

Season Trajectory

Maine's resorts are following their established pattern of building a base through snowmaking before natural snowfall arrives. The staggered opening dates across the state reflect how each area depends on its own elevation and snowmaking capacity.

Skiers planning trips should watch for the opening dates at Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Saddleback, since those are the first resorts with set timelines. Areas that have not announced seasons yet may open later, so checking before traveling is a practical step.

The takeaway

Maine's ski season is taking shape as snowmaking builds bases across the state. Checking each resort's announced opening date before planning a trip will help avoid surprises.

What happens next

Sugarloaf Mountain is scheduled to open Friday, November 20, Sunday River has targeted November 15, and Saddleback has targeted December 4.

Further reading

For more on Maine's winter season, see Skiing coverage.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WMTW.

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