Pros: great snowmaking, varied terrain, charming feel
Cons: East Coast weather
Went to Sunday River back in Easter on a school trip from Scotland, I think two weeks before the temperature had hit the high 70's. So basically everything we skied on was man made snow. It meant we missed out on about half of the resort's area, understandably the resort concentrated snowmaking on the more key and important runs.
The weather was sunny and it was interesting spring conditions. The South Ridge base lodge area was fantastic in the sun and the cafeteria served a nice variety of food.
Accommodation wise my group's was pretty average at best, The Snow cap inn had some interesting features, but if you want to stay in lodging without school groups this is not the place. I spent a day chilling in the Grand Summit hotel, which was a typical resort hotel, in other words great; I would highly recommend choosing this hotel as your lodging, and its numerous facilities will keep anyone entertained and relaxed for their entire stay.
During our stay the best skiing was found on Barker mountain, which maintained good quality trails throughout the day, mainly due to its north facing aspect. Early in the morning Spruce peak offered good trails, but by about lunchtime they had been chewed up into slushy mush.
Not many reviews go into the detail about the ski patrol and the emergency response on the mountain, but I can with first hand experience assure you you are in safe hands. After my crash and concussion I was whisked onto a spinal board and then into an ambulance and after a fairly painful forty minute ambulance ride i arrived in the local hospital were I was treated swiftly and with good care. If you have to pick a ski resort to have a big wipeout in you cant go wrong with Sunday River.
Considering the conditions present, also taking into consideration the fact that virtually other ski area had closed because of the heatwave, Sunday River presented itself as a charming almost traditional resort with modern amenities and lifts, with charismatic and interesting staff who understand the pleasure of skiing. I would highly recommend paying Sunday River a visit, and I await the chance to go back in the future, maybe in February, and try to avoid a major tumble this time.
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