Peak to Peak Challenge and
Lift Ticket Discounts Offered

The Ski Maine Peak to Peak Challenge helps to promote all Maine’s ski areas from Fort Kent to the Camden Hills to the Western Mountains. To enter, skiers and snowboarders simply log the date when the visit a Maine ski area, and then submit the entry form in the spring of 2012. All qualifying entries receive a Ski Maine Peak to Peak pin, and a chance to win free skiing for the following season.

Ski Maine Association also offers the Ski Maine Mountain Pass and the Ski Maine Sampler lift ticket programs. These include vouchers to all 20 of Maine’s ski and snowboard areas.The Ski Maine Mountain Pass costs $450 and contains a pair of tickets to each of 20 Ski Maine areas, for a total of 40 adult lift ticket vouchers. The Ski Maine Sampler Pass costs $250 and contains one ticket to each Ski Maine areas, for a total of 20 adult lift ticket vouchers. The Pass is an affordable way to experience all the Maine skiing and snowboarding has to offer. Tickets are transferrable. For complete details, visit www.skimaine.com or call Ski Maine Association at 207-773-SNOW (7669).

Big Rock, Mars Hill

The Bank of Maine Ski 4 Life Program is a multi-week structured lesson program for all skiing and snowboarding abilities. Snowmaking capacity increased with an expanded water storage reservoir. New terrain park trail has been constructed, to go along with improvements to several existing trails. Information: 207-425-6711 or visit www.bigrockmaine.com

Black Mountain, Rumford

Snowmaking expansion plan is drawn up and this winter Black Mountain will be testing and comparing new high-capacity snowmaking machines to determine which guns to purchase. The immediate benefit is the expanded snowmaking capacity at the mountain during this season's testing. The new Chisholm Ski Club Alpine Race Program features world renowned coaches Julie Parisien and Tim LaValle. Information: 207-364-8977 or visit www.skiblackmountain.org

Mount Abram, Greenwood

Mount Abram has embarked on an ambitious rebuilding plan following freak lightning strike that destroyed the base lodge on July 6, 2011. A new 50-by-110-foot temporary structure will be installed. The cozy lodge will house the Loose Boots Lounge, Café, general seating, lockers and amenities. The building is located close to the main chairlift and the foundation will serve as the future deck on the future base lodge. Information: 207-875-5000 or visit www.mtabram.com

Saddleback, Rangeley

On-mountain improvements include a new ski patrol warming hut at the top of the Kennebago chairlift, improved snowmaking on Tight Line, widened the Cupsuptic T-bar line, and construction of additional condos. Saddleback expanded the PEAK Pass program to include honor students from all of the United States and Canada. Saddleback has created a regional center to operate the EB-5 Investment program for Franklin county and Livermore Falls. This investment tool has been successfully used at Jay Peak in Vermont and provides incentives for foreign investments in ski lodges and resorts, among other categories. Information: 207-864-5671 or visit www.saddlebackmaine.com

Shawnee Peak, Bridgton

For mountainside lodging that is really on the mountain you must see the new Shawnee Peak yurts and cabins. The location along the Sunset Blvd Ski Trail offers spectacular views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. Trailside location insures first tracks in the morning. Summertime guests hike to the site, but winter guests get a chairlift ride and a short ski to their cozy mountainside getaway. Shawnee has also added two HKC Super Crystal Fan Guns to its snowmaking arsenal. New this year in the equipment rental shop are Elan rocker skis, Dabello boots, Burton snowboards and boots (including gear specifically for women), and a number of new helmets. The most unique addition is the purchase of a new four-seat passenger cab for one of the groomers offering early morning rides for pristine first tracks. Information: 207-647-8444 or visit www.shawneepeak.com.

Spruce Mountain, Jay

Last summer six ski trails received improved drainage, widening, and smoothing, which will allow the ski area to open with only a few inches of snow. Spruce will be able to cover more acreage with its dozen snow guns in time for the important Christmas holiday week. The Barn rope tow lift line has been regarded and will offer a much friendlier ride for the youngsters. Information: 207-897-4090 or visit www.sprucemountain.org

Sugarloaf, Carrabassett Valley

Sugarloaf continued with its Sugarloaf 2020 ten-year development plan this summer, with $4.3 million in off season investments. The biggest piece of this investment is the new $3 million Skyline Quad, which replaces the old Spillway double chairs and features a conveyor loading system. The resort also began Phase II of the Burnt Mountain Glade expansion, adding as much 100 acres of new terrain to the mix this year, further distancing itself as the largest ski area east of the Rockies. Additional off season investments include a new digital drive for the SuperQuad, improvements to the resort's snowmaking system, and two new Prinoth grooming vehicles. Information: 800-843-5623 or visit ww.sugarloaf.com.

Sunday River, Newry

Last summer's Blind Ambition expansion created Sunday River's largest glade. Over 60 acres were cut to create this 75-acre glade of more than a mile in length. Four million dollars in capital improvements paid for enhancements to snowmaking, lifts, and grooming, including the addition of two new PistenBully snowcats. Capital also went toward two new real estate developments, one off of the Sunday River Golf Course and the other near the Dream Maker trail, which will offer ski-in/ski-out single family home lots. Several renovations to the South Ridge Base Lodge include expanded seating and storage, Korean and Japanese cuisine in the food court, and a combined ski and board shop. Tempest Ridge phase II town homes are being built and located adjacent to Tempest and Road Runner trails. Road maintenance and resurfacing on the Jordan Road and the Sunday River Access Road has smoothed the ride for all. Information: 207-824-3000 or visit www.sundayriver.com.