Return to Sunday River

On Feb-12 Tuesday morning I was up bright and early for the 1 hour 45 minute drive to the ski mountains of Sunday River, Maine.  It was to be my first (of many I hope!) ski excursion in Maine since our move here on Feb-2.

I had skied Sunday River 18 years ago, in 1996.  I was in my third year of skiing then, after having taken up the sport at the age of 38.  It was the year that, after a rash of yard sale quality equipment, personalized ski lessons, and many head first crashes, my skill set had improved to an advanced level; only a few weeks before I had ventured west for the first time and easily skied Steamboat Colorado.  As I stepped onto the slopes of Sunday River all those years ago, little did I realize that I would go on to ski all over the Rockies of Colorado, all over the Wasatch range of Utah, every mountain at Lake Tahoe, and both the Swiss and Italian Alps. 

As I drove the easy commute from Portland, I reflected on how my skiing has evolved over the years, as has my life.  Back then I was dedicated to expanding my IT career in the financial services industry, a brutal commitment of time and energy that took a heavy toll on me and my family. One of the things that helped me maintain my sanity was my pursuit of outdoor adventure whenever I could, whether skiing, boating, scuba diving, or hiking.  With the toils of corporate life now behind me, I have been free to pursue my commitment to adventure in ways I never could before, many examples of which are highlighted in detail in my blog                                                                                                                                                                                                    about our past year in Italy.

It was -10F below zero when I clicked into my ski bindings and caught the Chondola Express Quad up to North Peak, and I was happy to have brought my artic rated Spyder ski jacket, used only for just these conditions.  Thankfully, the bluebird skies were clear and the sun’s brilliant rays quickly softened Sunday River’s well groomed trails, and it’s calm airs warmed to a balmy +20F.

Sunday River has 8 distinct peaks, and I skipped around the mountains a good bit, enjoying Risky Business on Spruce Peak, Ecstasy (it’s next to Agony) on Barker Mountain, Airglow (one of my favorite black trails) on Aurora Peak, and venturing as far as Jordan Peak for Excalibur and Rouge Angel.  

It was great to see that after 18 years Sunday River has still remained true to its core values; good snow making and excellent trail grooming, and a broad variety of terrain to keep things interesting. 

My return to Sunday River could not have been better; yes, the brilliant sunshine figured largely into having such a good day, but the fun trails, diversity of terrain, and easy drive will draw me back.  Like, tomorrow.