KIDS SKI FREE RESORT

#2 overall resort in the East
#1 for grooming in the East
#2 for snow in the East
#2 resort for lifts in the East
#6 for variety of terrain in the East

- Ski Magazine 2012 Resort Survey

· Mt. Abram ski resort with 42 trails is within 30 mins. drive

"Eight Peaks! Need I say more?" Readers agree there is a lot to love about the River. Famously "aggressive" snowmaking buries its 743 acres of trails and glades, and there's no shortage of terrain. From the challenging steeps of White Cap at the resort's eastern edge, through the bustling family-friendly terrain at South Ridge, across the gladed and wild Land of Oz to scenic rambling Lollapalooza on the west end, there's something to satisfy every ability. "Getting from one side to the other is a trek, but once you figure out how to navigate, it's a lot of fun." No. 4-ranked Lifts and Grooming help see to that. Après-ski, choose from a wide variety of resort amenities, or escape to the quaint town of Bethel for a true touch of Maine.

One of New England's best ski secrets - Sunday River will pleasantly surprise you! Located 3.5 hours from Boston, you can enjoy traditional hospitality at the nearby town of Bethel, a 10 minute drive away. The ideal Family resort with most accommodations offering ski in/ski out access, value for money prices and a KIDS SKI FREE programme.

If you're planning a long stay or just want to try something different for a day, you can also ski the nearby resort of Mt. Abram approx. 30 mins drive away. You need to purchase a separate lift ticket as it is not covered by the Sunday River ticket.

Mt. Abram Family Resort is a classic "best kept secret." Under new ownership in 2009, its 42 trail network has a reputation for meticulous grooming and an unpretentious atmosphere. Mt. Abram has been called "Maine's Friendliest Mountain". It is family oriented, the tickets are inexpensive and the ski school is one of the best.

Mandatory Run » White Heat, a.k.a. the "longest, steepest, widest lift-served trail in the East."

Family Activity » Mushing at dusk under a pink sky behind a team of Iditarodtrained dogs.

Don't Miss » First tracks for serious miles. Load the Chondola at 7:15 a.m. for 45 crowd-free minutes on Spruce Peak, then hit Peak Lodge for its famous cinnamon buns.

In terms of sheer size, Sunday River is remarkable: 131 trails, 667.7 acres, and 8 interconnected mountains. Each peak offers a distinct experience, from the steeps and bumps of White Cap to the tree skiing of Oz to the cruising on North Peak and Jordan Bowl, and it's all serviced by a network of 18 modern lifts, four of which are high-speed quads, ensuring easy access to every corner of the resort quickly and easily. Introduced last season, was the installation of a state-of-the-art magic carpet surface lift. Covering 92% of the resort is a legendary snowmaking system, blanketing trail after trail with the most dependable snow in New England. Sunday River makes more snow than anyone else, and a fleet of 12 snowcats makes sure that snow is in great shape every day of the season.

New England skiers and riders will experience a new mode of mountain transport next winter as Sunday River prepares to install the first Chondola in the Northeastern U.S. The Chondola will be a high-speed detachable six-person chairlift that carries gondola cabins at regular intervals. The $7.2 million hybrid lift is one of only four in North America and will transport skiers and riders from the South Ridge base area directly to the summit of North Peak, a location from which six of Sunday Rivers eight peaks are directly accessible.