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the sugarloaf story

ABOUT US

Creating Sugarloafers

Sugarloaf Mission

At Sugarloaf, our mission is to create Sugarloafers – a welcoming and inclusive community of passionate, unique individuals – by providing authentic experiences and creating enduring memories.

Skier friends in snow
Snowboarders high five
welcome to our home

Values

We believe that the most important person in our company is our customer, and we strive to treat them like guests in our home. We also strive to make sure they have fun. We believe in the dignity and worth of individuals, customers, and staff alike, and give them the benefit of the doubt. We encourage and expect our staff to do more than they think they can. We believe that our third responsibility is to our community and our environment. We will work together with our community, balancing growth with conservation of our unique area.

oldest club of its kind

Sugarloaf Ski Club

Founded in 1951, the Sugarloaf Ski Club is Maine’s oldest. With its support, Sugarloaf hosts premier events like the U.S. Alpine Nationals, U.S. Freestyle Nationals, and the North American Championship Series. The Club recruits, trains, and directs volunteers for alpine, freestyle, and snowboard competitions, allowing us to hold a full event calendar (and do it well) each season. It also provides youth grants and administers a local scholarship program to support young skiers and snowboarders. From cutting the first trails to organizing events today, the Ski Club remains a key part of Sugarloaf’s history. Find them at the Competition Center on the mountain.

Sugarloaf Ski Club logo
Amos winter sitting on snow
Skiers below sugarloaf in the 60's
sugarloafers since 1950

History

Sugarloaf Mountain, one of New England’s premier ski resorts, began its journey in 1950 when the Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club secured land on the mountain’s northern face. From its first rope tow in 1953 to the installation of a groundbreaking gondola in the 1960s, Sugarloaf steadily evolved into an international destination. Over the years, expansions like the West Mountain area, state-of-the-art snowmaking, and investments under Boyne Resorts have cemented its status as a top-tier resort.

1950

Development Begins

Development begins after Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Club secures a lease from Great Northern Paper Company.

1951

Winter's Way Trail Completed

Winter’s Way trail completed and skied; the first ski trail on the mountain.

1953

Lift Service Begins

First lift installed – a 700-foot rope tow at the base of Winter's Way.

1955

First T-Bar and base lodge open

Sugarloaf Mountain Corporation formed; first T-Bar and base lodge open for the 1955-56 season.

1959

New T-Bar and Base Area Moved

Base area relocated downhill, new novice T-Bar installed, and expansion planning begins.

1964-66

First Gondola

Gondola installed, transforming Sugarloaf into a major ski destination. The gondola opens in 1966.

1966

NCAA Championships

Sugarloaf hosts NCAA Intercollegiate Skiing Championships and World Heavyweight Ski Championships.

1969-71

First Chairlifts

First chairlifts added, including the Bucksaw and Timberline lifts, enhancing summit access.

1972

Additional Land Purchased

Construction on Village Center commenced in 1972 and land was purchased on Burnt Mountain.

1974

Snowmaking Begins

Snowmaking system installed, covering the most vertical feet in the world at the time.

1981

Timberline

Timberwind chairlift added, expanding the ski area’s vertical drop. Amos Winter, Sugarloaf’s founder, passes away in 1982.

1994

Superquad

The longest detachable quad lift in the East at the time is installed at Sugarloaf

2007

Boyne

Boyne Resorts takes over operations, initiating the Sugarloaf 2020 expansion plan.

2010/11

Brackett Basin

Brackett Basin expansion opens, introducing backcountry-style terrain.

2015

U.S. Alpine Championships

Sugarloaf hosts the U.S. Alpine Championships

2017/18

Burnt Mountain Snowcats

For the 2017-18 season, two snowcats were purchased to provide cat skiing on Burnt Mountain.

2022/23

CVA/Colby T-Bar

New racing T-Bar installed for Carrabassett Valley Academy & Colby racing

2023/24

West Mountain Expansion

West Mountain expansion adds new novice and intermediate terrain with a high-speed quad.

2030 Plan

Long-Term Development

Long-term development plan focuses on new lifts, terrain, parking, and snowmaking.

© Boyne Resorts 2025