NEWRY, ME (October 9, 2023) —Sunday River Resort fired up snow guns on the Rogue Angel trail this morning as part of its annual fall snowmaking system test. As winter approaches, Sunday River is gearing up for an unprecedented early ski season with significant snowmaking improvements to existing infrastructure.  

The test comes as the resort nears completion on a summer full of snowmaking upgrades. Nearly two miles of twenty-inch snowmaking pipe was installed, connecting the North Peak Booster Pump House, completed last year, to the summit of the Jordan Bowl. This connection will allow the resort to triple snowmaking capacity in the Jordan Bowl area. Additionally, eight SMI Super Pole Cat high-efficiency fan-guns were installed across the South Ridge Base Area, allowing more powerful snowmaking to occur with the touch of a button.

This season, opening day operations are planned to move to the Jordan Bowl. Thanks to the infrastructure upgrades and the higher elevation of the area, the resort plans to open with top-to-bottom skiing and several trail choices. All of this will be serviced by the Jordan 8, the resorts brand new Doppelmayr 8-place chairlift, boasting heated seats, a weather-protective bubble, and a ride time of just over 4 and a half minutes. The early-season ski experience will be highlighted by ski-in, ski-out lodging at the Jordan Hotel, as well as dining options available earlier than ever before. 

Brian Heon, Sunday River’s General Manager, emphasized, “Snowmaking remains a top investment and operational priority to ensure we deliver The Most Dependable Snow in New England for our valued guests. Completing our snowmaking test following these substantial infrastructure upgrades signals our readiness to begin making snow as soon as temperatures allow.” 

Although the resort has not yet set an official opening date, this test gives Sunday River’s snowmakers the go-ahead to crank the system at full capacity—10,000 gallons of water and 54,000 cubic feet of air per minute, producing four-acre feet per hour—at the first sustained cold snap with temperatures between 25-30 degrees overnight. 

In addition to snowmaking upgrades, the resort is also nearing completion on a brand new Doppelmayr 6-place chairlift, the Barker 6. Like the Jordan 8, the Barker 6 will have individual, heated seats, a weather protective bubble, and a ride time of just over four and a half minutes. Replacing the Barker Express as a key lift at the heart of the resort, the Barker 6 will be a revolutionary experience, and is set to open this season. 

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