Sugarloaf Travel Guide

Sugarloaf is one of the best ski mountains in the east, and is celebrated for its incredible terrain and variety, excellent vertical drop and late ski season, which can stretch to May. The resort's relative isolation (just over two hours' drive time from the nearest airport) means quieter slopes even in peak season, while the wide range of activities keeps visitors occupied even if the fairly restricted apres ski scene doesn't. The resort is enormous, covering 1,400 acres (560 ha) of skiing terrain, so it's possible to spend a week here and never ski the same run twice.

Skiing

There are 12 lifts in total, including two high speed quads, equating to around 19 720 skiers carried per hour. This resort probably has the shortest lift lines of any large US resort, which is a big plus over holiday season. Sugarloaf is famous for its challenging and super steep black diamond snowfields, although there are plenty of runs for beginners and intermediates, too, across the almost 160 named runs available. The ski school is excellent, though not cheap, and there are plenty of groomed runs on which to practice.

Shopping

The largest town is Farmington, 39 miles (63km) away with a population of around 8,000, so it's no surprise that shopping is not a popular Sugarloaf pastime. The most popular souvenir is thermal underwear to cope with the occasionally icy weather.

Restaurants

There are some good quality restaurants right on the slopes of Sugarloaf. Bullwinkle's is great for lunch, and in the evenings offers a six-course meal at a secluded spot accessed by snow cat. At base lodge travellers can find Narrow Gauge Food Station, which offers decent enough food on the go. In town, visitors shouldn't miss The Bag and Kettle, home to Skiing Magazine's Best Burger 2008/9 and the famous Cheeseburger Soup. Another good bet for great food and apres ski entertainment is The Shipyard Brewhaus in the Sugarloaf Inn.

Nightlife

Sugarloaf's apres ski is a classic bar scene of the beer and sing-along variety, and most venues close relatively early at 1am. Some of the best apres ski is at the very top of base lodge in the Widowmaker Lounge, which is less sinister and a whole lot more fun than it sounds. Weekends are best when live music keeps the party going until late. Travellers should check out the restaurant 45 North inside the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel for live entertainment nightly.

Holiday activities

Sugarloaf has a huge range of off-slope activities. Travellers will find ice-skating at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center, cinemas at nearby Farmington, a fitness and spa complex close to the lodge, and even an on-mountain worship center. If visitors need a break from skiing, they can try tubing, cross-country, snow-shoeing, snowmobiling, and even xtreme sports at the incredible onsite Antigravity Complex.

Any negatives?

The resort is just over two hours from the nearest airport. It doesn't have the most exciting apres ski scene so party animals might be disappointed, as will avid shoppers. Sugarloaf can be a little expensive and gets very cold in February.