Ski and Snowboard News, Deals, and Events

Sunday River in Newry, Maine, is the first resort to open in the East this season. The resort plans to operate one lift serving only expert terrain through Sunday Oct. 18, then close until the following weekend.

"Cold temperatures and advanced snowmaking technologies including tower guns and fan guns helped us open," Dana Bullen, Sunday River general manager, said in a release. "Opening ahead of the pack is a great treat to offer skiers and riders across New England and we're proud to be able to stake this claim for a third year in a row."

Sunday River has been the first resort in the East to open the last two seasons, doing so on Halloween both times.

The opening today, Oct. 14, comes more than two weeks before Halloween, and makes it three seasons in a row that the mountain has been first to open.

Sunday River reported receiving 3 inches of natural snow Oct. 13, and has used this and the cold temperatures of the past week to blow enough snow to open.

Open terrain includes the upper portion of Locke Mountain and is for advanced skiers and riders only.

Lift tickets will be $25 for all ages, and can be purchased out of Barker Base Lodge.

Lift access will be on the Locke Mountain Triple. Additional trails may open for the weekend depending on temperatures and snowmaking.

More information. Or call 207-824-3000.