Maine’s Sunday River is best known for skiing but there are more than enough other ways to play in the snow to keep everyone in the family busy and happy for a week’s vacation, whether they ski or not.
Give a try to cross country or snowshoes
Of course they have is some of the best skiing in the east, but beyond that Sunday River operates an Outdoor Center that has kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing and many more kilometers of trails for snow shoeing. For these sports all you need to know is how to walk. Those who want to give it a try can rent all the gear they will need, but bring your own coat and gloves. Sunday River Outdoor Center is located in a wilderness area north of Bethel close to the ski area and its trails wind through pristine forests and even include a trip by an historic covered bridge.
At the end of the day skiers and snowshoers can relax in the Center’s café or in Adirondack chairs overlooking the trails. After skiing the Sunday River trails Nordic fans can scoot into Bethel for two more cross country experiences at Bethel Nordic Ski Center and Carter’s XC Ski Center.
Ziplines, tubing, snowmobiling and more
Beyond the Outdoor Center, Sunday River also has a couple Zipline experiences to provide a bit more of a thrill and both they operate during the winter. One section of Zipline has six lines ranging in length from 100 to 300 feet, which allows groups to fly through the air simultaneously. Their Twin Zips are even longer and run for 750 feet parallel to one another, allowing friends to challenge one another to a friendly zip race.
Tubing is also on the agenda for many visitors. This year they have been relocated to the Sundance trail at South Ridge. The tubing center is open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 to 8 PM. Ice skating is offered at a rink that is lighted in the evening. For those arriving without skates, rentals are available at the White Cap Lodge.
Another way to get outdoors and enjoy the wilderness is by snowmobiling. For anyone who wants to give it a try, Sunday River can set up guided snowmobiling tours and rentals. These are operated through Sun Valley Sports, a local company with long experience in the business. With more than 12,000 miles of trails available, there is plenty to see.
A bit of culture and shopping
For those whose tastes run more to indoor activities, the town of Bethel is filled with diversions that are open in the winter. Among its many shops, look for Mt. Mann Jewelers for fine jewelry made from locally mined Maine gems; a small museum in the shop explains the rich geological history of this region, with examples of stones quarried there. On Main Street look too for Bonnema Pottery, a local artisan.
The Bethel Historical Society has a two house Museum in Bethel on the town Common at 10-14 Broad Street. Their main building is open Tuesday through Thursday 10-4 January-April (Tuesday-Friday May to Dec 10-4 and Saturdays 1-4 in July and August). This building houses the galleries and exhibit rooms of the Society. The current exhibits feature the nineteenth century White Mountain Club of Portland and the hand works of Florence Bickford Hastings. The house museum is, unfortunately, only open in summer.
Getting to Sunday River
Allow about 3.5 to 4 hours to get to Sunday River from the greater Boston area. Take I-95 north through New Hampshire and into Maine on the Maine Turnpike. At exit 63 (Gray Maine) take Route 26 north to Bethel. Pick up Route 2 and take it 2.6 miles onto Sunday River Road at the Sunday River Brewery (a favored place to eat). From Points west of the city follow I-290, I-90 and/or I-495 to I-95 north and then on to Bethel.
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