Carrabassett Valley, ME - Sugarloaf will open for the 2009-10 ski and snowboard season at 8:30 a.m. Sunday morning, after more than a foot of new snow blanketed the Maine ski resort's higher elevations on Friday night. The mountain recorded eight inches at the base, and better than 12 inches at the top of SuperQuad, with wind-driven drifts topping two feet.


Skiing and riding will be available on Tote Road, with lift access on the SuperQuad, and will be for advanced skiers and riders only on opening day. Snow coverage will be variable and some walking may be required. Lift ticket prices will be $25 for all ages on Sunday.

Daytime temperatures were in the 20s on Saturday, meaning Sugarloaf was able to resume snowmaking operations on Tote Road. Forecasts are calling for continued cold temperatures throughout the week, and the resort expects to add additional terrain soon.

“We’re certainly excited to have all of the new snow, but we’re even more excited to have some good snowmaking temperatures back,” said Rich Wilkinson, Sugarloaf’s Director of Mountain Operations. “With all of the improvements we’ve made to our snowmaking system over the past few years, we expect to be able to bring new terrain into the mix fairly quickly.”