Resort Safety
If you are on the mountain and have an active emergency, contact Sugarloaf Ski Patrol.
At Sugarloaf, slope safety is a priority. As the tallest skiable mountain in Maine, the only above-tree-line skiing in the east, and world-class terrain parks, various safety risks exist. Before arriving at the resort, we highly recommend you download our app, which allows you to contact ski patrol in an emergency while transmitting your on-mountain location.
Our ski patrol is among the finest in the country and available to assist with any on-mountain emergencies. If you are in need of assistance on-mountain, please call (207) 237-6994 or visit any lift terminal to call Patrol. For any other emergencies, please dial 911.
Winter Safety
Skiers and snowboarders must observe the Skier Responsibility Code to ensure their safety. Continue reading below to learn more about our codes, view instructional safety videos, and more.
Responsibility Code & Duties of a Skier/Snowboarder
Skiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, telemark, cross country and other specialized ski equipment. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed below and share the responsibility for a great on-hill experience with other skiers and riders.
Winter sports involve risk of serious injury or death. Your knowledge, decisions and actions contribute to your safety and that of others. Please ask any ski area employee if you need help understanding the Code. Officially endorsed by the National Ski Areas Association
- Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
- People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
- Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
- Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
- You must prevent runaway equipment.
- Read and obey all signs, warnings and hazard markings.
- Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- You must know how and be able to load, ride, and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
- Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
Ski With Care
Under Maine law, a skier assumes the risk of any injury to person or property resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing and may not recover from any ski area operator for any injury resulting from any of the inherent dangers and risks of skiing, including, but not limited to: existing and changing weather conditions; existing and changing snow conditions, such as ice, hardpack, powder, packed powder, corn, crust and slush and cut-up, granular and machine-made snow; surface or subsurface conditions, such as dirt, grass, bare spots, rocks, stumps, trees, forest growth or other natural objects and collisions with such natural objects; lift towers, lights, signs, posts, fences, mazes or enclosures, hydrants, water or air pipes, snowmaking and snow-grooming equipment, marked or lit trail maintenance vehicles and snowmobiles, and other man-made structures or objects; variations in steepness or terrain, whether natural or as a result of slope design, snowmaking or grooming operations, including, but not limited to, freestyle terrain, jumps, roads and catwalks or other terrain modifications; the presence of and collisions with other skiers; and the failure of skiers to ski safely, in control or within their own abilities.
Go With The Flow
Sugarloaf's Go With The Flow program promotes the use of sound personal judgment regarding speed and control when skiing and riding. Because 'fast' skiing may mean different things to different people, Go With The Flow reminds skiers and riders to be courteous and follow the pace of those around them. In addition to Ski Patrol and Mountain Ambassador support, you will see green Go With The Flow banners at key areas on the mountain and lift area signs outlining the program.
Go With The Flow focuses on three key messages:
- Be Aware - Pay attention to your surroundings.
- Respect Slow Zones - Slow down at orange signs and trail junctions.
- Follow The Pace - Faster than those around you is too fast.
Uphill Access
For the safety of everyone on the mountain, we ask that anyone participating in skinning or snowshoeing adhere to the guidelines listed on our Uphill Page. All uphill travel is done at each individual's own risk.
Lift Safety
As we do our part to keep you safe, it is important that you take the necessary steps to help keep yourself, and other guests around you, safe while riding our chairlifts.
Sidecountry
Wild and remote like backcountry, but maintained and patrolled like inbounds terrain, Sugarloaf's sidecountry terrain on Burnt Mountain and Brackett Basin is unlike anything you've experienced at any eastern resort.
Additional Safety Information
The National Ski Areas Association and Burton Snowboards would like to welcome you to the "Park Smart" Terrain Park Safety initiative. Park Smart is the evolution of the original Smart Style program. A cooperative effort with the help of the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) that emphasizes the proper use of terrain parks while delivering a unified message.
In an effort to improve the terrain park experience for our guests Boyne Resorts offers this terrain park etiquette and education program, better known as PEEPs. PEEPs gives you the opportunity to check out and read up on the latest information available regarding terrain park safety. We are proud to offer this one of a kind educational terrain park program.
Sugarloaf is seriously concerned about the safety of its skiers/riders. The Ski Patrol will issue warnings or remove privileges without refund for those who are acting recklessly or are out of control.
Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Stay alert for other skiers and snowboarders while on the mountain. Follow the Skier Responsibility code and yield to others when appropriate. If you are involved in a collision, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.
NSAA, as part of its on-going efforts to promote on-hill safety and responsible skiing and riding, has developed the #RideAnotherDay campaign, in partnership with Kelli and Chauncy Johnson. This campaign has both a print and a video component. You can see each below. Both are available for download using the links below each element.
For more information on collision prevention, refer here:
If you need assistance or have made contact with another guest who is injured, stay with the guest if possible and call Ski Patrol Dispatch at 207-237-6994.
This could include injury, needing a ride with broken equipment, etc.
Be prepared to describe your exact location and the nature of the call.
If you have no phone available or no phone service, send someone to the nearest lift station and have them notify a lift operator of the situation - The lift operator will then call patrol dispatch.
If you have a problem contacting dispatch, and it is an emergency situation, call 911. Emergency services will be activated and patrol will be notified by other means.
Be aware, 207-237-6994 is a line specifically used for reporting mountain emergencies and injuries. The mountain has other resources for snow reports, lift status, weather, etc via our Mountain Report.
911 is to be used for emergencies only.
NSAA promotes the use of helmets on the slopes. We urge skiers and riders to wear a helmet - but to ski or ride as if they are not wearing a helmet.
Snowcats, snowmobiles, and snowmaking may be encountered at any time.
Please be advised that padding, fencing, poles, signs and other marking devices are in place to inform you and to indicate a potential obstacle or hazard exists. These markers will not protect you from injury. It is your responsibility to stay away from marked objects and areas.
Certain areas on the mountain are designated as SLOW ZONES. Please observe posted slow zone areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic. Fast and aggressive skiing and riding may result in the loss of a lift ticket.
It is important (and part of Your Responsibility Code) to know how to load, ride, and unload all lifts safely.
For your children's safety, skiing/riding with children in backpacks is prohibited. Make sure your kids know how to get on and off lifts. Learn more about kid safety on lifts:
Only authorized recreational activities are allowed on Sugarloaf premises. All other activities, including sledding and tubing, are strictly prohibited. For your children's safety, skiing/riding with children in backpacks is also prohibited.
Snowskate / Snowdeck Policy
- Must have metal edges and a device to stop runaway equipment (such as straps or leashes).
- Use is restricted to conveyor, surface lifts and terrain serviced by conveyer, surface lifts.
- Participants may walk onto and off of conveyor, not required to glide on and off.
- No homemade devices.
- Participants must adhere to the NSAA responsibility code as outlined below.
Snow Bike Policy
- Equipment used will be designed for and fit for the intended purpose.
- Attachments, pivots, connections must all be engineered solutions.
- Chairlift restraint bar must be used when transporting snow bikes.
- Rider must use a safety leash.
- Rider must be able to load and unload without slowing lift.
- Snow bike must be able to securely stay on chair with no assistance from the rider.
- Rider and snow bike must be able to go through lift lines without causing interruptions.
- Snow bike must not be motorized for use with traditional ski/snowboard users.
- With exception to accommodations made under ADA requirements, Sno-Go bikes are the only brand of snow bike permitted.
Rider Responsibility
- Rider must glide on and off the lift.
- Rider must adhere to the NSAA responsibility code as outlined below:
NSAA Responsibility code:
- Always stay in control and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
- People ahead of you have the right of way.It is your responsibility to avoid them.
- You must not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above.
- Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
- Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
- Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
- Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
Area Limitations
- Authorization of Snow Bike use on Sugarloaf is exclusive to Sno-Go brand Snow Bikes
- All Snow Bike users must attend a Sno-Go specific lesson, instructed by a qualified member of Sugarloaf Snowsports School, prior to any independent use of an area rental Snow Bike.
- Use of Snow Bikes is limited to the terrain served by the following chairlifts:
- Whiffletree
- Superquad
- Double Runners East & West
- Skidway
- Sawduster
- Snubber
- Bucksaw Express
- Timberline*When accompanied by a Snowsports School Instructor / Guide*
Load and Unload speeds should meet ANSI B77.1 standards for foot passengers when the rider is not wearing skis on their feet.Fixed grip lifts will need to be slowed for loading and unloading ski bikes.
A violation of this policy will result in your snow bike riding privileges being revoked with no refund issued.
Sugarloaf Ski Patrol reserves the right to stop any activity that they deem dangerous to the customer or other customers. You must always obey their directions.
All forms of third-party commercial activity are prohibited on Boyne Resorts property without prior written authorization, including solicitation or provision of snow sport instruction, tours and guiding services, and other products and services offered for sale.
A tree well/ snow immersion suffocation accident can happen when a skier or snowboarder falls - usually headfirst - into a tree well or deep loose snow and becomes immobilized and trapped under the snow and suffocates. Educate yourself on this risk:
General Photography Policy
Personal photography is allowed across the resort and at all resort events. All commercial and media filming, video and photography, requires prior approval from Sugarloaf's Marketing Department.
UAV (Drone) Policy
Due to safety and privacy concerns, Sugarloaf prohibits the operation of unmanned aerial systems, or drones, on or above resort property without the prior written authorization from Sugarloaf. This prohibition includes drones used for filming or still photography, as well as any drone use by media or journalists operating above or within the area boundaries. This prohibition extends to any devices launched or operated from Resort property, as well as any launched from private property outside of the Resort boundaries.
Authorization for drone use will require proof of FAA remote pilot certification, a certificate of insurance covering unmanned aircraft and naming Boyne USA Inc as an additional insured with minimum limits of two million dollars per occurrence, and a signed Drone Operation Agreement. Please complete the form below and provide this documentation if you wish to apply for authorization. Any violation of this policy can be reported to the FAA and may involve suspension of your access privileges to the Resort, the revocation of your season pass, and confiscation of any prohibited equipment.
Violators will be subject to any liability for damages, including, but not limited to, damages for trespass, violations of privacy, and physical injuries to persons and/or property, as well as legal fees.
At Sugarloaf, we love our furry friends. To ensure all pets and people are safe and happy, please remember the following:
- All pets should be under leash control at all times. Remember, a pet who is well-behaved at home might act differently in an unfamiliar setting. Even if your dog obeys voice commands, we strongly recommend using a leash for everyone's safety.
- Pick up after your pet. There are trash cans and baggies located throughout the resort, including in most condo parking lots and at several dog-friendly trailheads.
- Respect trail signs. There are lots of great places to walk your pet at Sugarloaf and in Carrabassett Valley. There's a dedicated dog trail at the Snowbrook Condos, and dogs are allowed on the Narrow Gauge Trail in Carrabassett Valley. Dogs are not allowed on the Outdoor Center Trails.
- If you're staying at a condo or hotel booked through Sugarloaf Lodging, pets are not allowed. Please see your confirmation email for details.
Thank you for taking the time to keep your pets safe and happy. Together, we can keep Sugarloaf safe and enjoyable for all our guests and their pets.
Thank you for becoming familiar with our winter overnight parking policy. Please remember that snow removal and parking lot safety is our top priority.
What is Required of You:
- Your contact information (name & phone number) must be visibly displayed in your window at all times.
Where to Park:
- Winter overnight parking is permitted in Lot E only.
Important Information:
- Your vehicle can never be left overnight unattended and must move to a different spot daily (preferably before 7:30am for plowing).
- There are no electric, sewer hookups, public parking lot restrooms, or shower facilities available.
- Campfires (including contained Solo Stove or similar devices) are not permitted.
- Only self-contained single units that do not exceed 25 feet in total are permitted. No trailers or tow-behind campers/utility trailers are allowed.