72 Hours at Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf has more to offer than world-class skiing and riding. As a year-round destination, Sugarloaf provides a variety of exciting summer activities, suitable for the whole family.

Carrabassett Valley is renowned not only for its breathtaking mountain views but also for its unmatched access to outdoor recreation. Located within a day’s drive from almost every corner of New England, Sugarloaf has quickly become one of Maine’s most popular year-round destinations.

Whether you are a thrill seeker hoping to maximize your time in New England’s newest gravity-fed downhill bike park or a leisure lover in search of a peaceful mountain getaway, Sugarloaf has something for everyone. Join us as we spend 72 hours exploring what makes Sugarloaf a unique summer destination in Maine.

Friday Morning

Upon our arrival, we checked into the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, where breathtaking views of Sugarloaf's summit greeted us. As Maine's second-tallest peak at 4,327 feet, it reaffirmed our choice to make the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel our home base for the weekend.

Situated in the heart of Sugarloaf Village, the hotel features modern amenities, including a large 30-person outdoor hot tub, a private gym, spa services, and an elegant lobby-level restaurant, 45 North. With direct access to ski lifts, restaurants, and shops, it's conveniently located and easy to access.

Our first adventure of the weekend was a Scenic Chairlift Ride on the Whiffletree Quad. This 15-minute ride provided us with 360-degree views of Sugarloaf and the surrounding mountains, including the Bigelow Range and, with a keen eye, Katahdin, Maine's tallest mountain to the northeast.

While riding the lift, we relished the sounds of nature and caught a glimpse of Sugarloaf Bike Park, where riders navigated their way down the park's newest green circle trail, Syncline, below us.

With picnic tables located just off the summit, we enjoyed a picturesque lunch before heading back to the base for some shopping. Our first stop was Downhill Supply Co., a well-stocked destination for outdoor enthusiasts. We were welcomed by friendly staff and found an impressive selection of the latest styles from popular brands like Patagonia, Flylow, Kuhl, Prana, and Nordica.

No visit to Sugarloaf is complete without picking up a new piece of logo wear. A quick stop at the Sugarloafer Shop provided us with unique home goods and seasonal clothing. After that, we couldn't resist a visit to Maine's most iconic retailer, the Sugarloaf L.L.Bean shop, where we browsed through our favorite flannels and scored a Sugarloaf embroidered Boat and Tote.

Despite being deep in the northern woods of Maine, the flavors of the coast are always within reach. For dinner, we returned to 45 North to enjoy Lobster Roll Flight Night on their charming back deck.

We indulged in three mini brioche rolls, each filled with a generous serving of fresh Maine lobster, accompanied by homemade potato chips. This evening's flight included one classic roll, a candied bacon BLT roll, and a crispy garlic-and-browned-butter roll—a truly mouthwatering combination.

The fresh lobster rolls, paired with a craft cocktail in a relaxing dining environment, left us feeling fully satisfied and ready to rest for the night among the mountains.

Saturday Sends

After a restful night's sleep, we quickly grabbed coffee and breakfast before heading to the Sugarloaf Bike Park, New England's newest gravity-fed downhill bike park, offering some of Maine's most sought-after terrain. Riders can look forward to fast laps, wide berms, and smooth lines.

Our first stop was the Sugarloaf Bike Shop, a full-service bike mechanic and rental shop located on the second floor of the Sugarloaf Base Lodge. With both cross-country and downhill-specific bikes available, the staff was supportive and helpful as they assisted us in choosing the best bike to fit our riding interests for the day.

Entering its second season of operation, the Sugarloaf Bike Park caters to riders of all ages and abilities, offering everything from beginner-friendly flow trails to advanced technical descents. The machine-built flow trails provide a perfect progression-based complement to the existing west-side enduro trails, originally designed for world-series mountain bike competitions.

We started on Boulder Dash, a blue-square trail with a mildly technical approach and tight berms, followed by Emerald, a green-circle trail featuring large, fast, and flowy berms that left us eager for more. Ending on Widowmaker, we ended our first lap with a punchy finish that included rocks, roots, and a smooth finish.

After a few hours of riding, we headed to The Beach for an après beverage. With its legendary view of Sugarloaf Mountain, The Beach is the perfect spot to kick back and relax after a day of riding.

Sunday Funday

Getting out of bed on a Sunday is never easy. However, with brunch specials and tempting mimosas waiting downstairs at 45 North, we had no trouble making the quick transition from bed to bacon.

After brunch, we decided it was time to try our hand at a round of Disc Golf. With 18 holes winding through the Whiffletree and Superquad regions, this was the perfect activity to conclude our visit. Each basket presented its own challenge, and we laughed endlessly as we tried to score in as few throws as possible.

We came, we saw—and we have already booked our return visit for later this season. With so many activities still to experience, including 18 holes at the Sugarloaf Golf Club, hiking, dining, and live music on the beach during the Summer Après Series, we quickly realized that a one-weekend visit just wouldn't be enough.