Sugarloaf
It’s New Year’s Eve, and we are heading to Sugarloaf.
THURSDAY
9:15 a.m. @ Access Road
My husband Nik and I hit the Access Road, round the first corner, and the mountain comes into view. It’s beautiful, and all the trails are covered in white. From the distance we can see a few specks on the trails: the Loafers who woke up early to get first tracks.
10:00 a.m. @ SuperQuad
We run into our friends Lori and Tim Gerencer on the first run. On the mountain you don’t see faces first—you see skis, snow pants, and jackets. Lori is hard to miss in her pink pants.
10:15 a.m. @ Top of Tote Road
Our first ski run is always Tote Road or King’s Landing; today it’s Tote Road. Lori and Tim come with us and we cruise back down to Superquad.
11:00 a.m. @ Narrow Gauge
This is by far my favorite trail on the mountain. Skiing from the summit to the bottom is best, but starting off of Superquad does the trick. We plan to ski to Skyline and then ride it to the top of Sugarloaf.
11:15 a.m. @ Skyline
The line at the lift isn’t too long, so we take it to the top of the mountain for one last run before lunch.
11:40a.m. @ Bullwinkle’s
We’ve only done a few runs, but we’re hungry after our 6 a.m. breakfast. We go into Bullwinkle’s for some lunch with Lori and Tim. I order a panini with a side of kale slaw, which is delicious and just what I was craving. Nik has a Reuben with fries (and a beer).
12:45 p.m. @ Superquad
Our bodies are fueled and ready to spend the rest of the day on the slopes, so we head toward the lift.
3:45 p.m. @ The Beach
Right outside the lodge we find a fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and the perfect place to chill for a minute before leaving the mountain.
4:15p.m. @ Java Joe’s
After we stop by the car and trade our ski boots for some Bean boots, we head to Java Joe’s for hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, of course.
4:30p.m. @ the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel
Inside our cozy room, we get out of ski gear and take a bit of time to relax before our New Year’s Eve plans. The room is quiet and warm, with a queen-size bed and an alcove window that gives us a view of the mountain. The sun has set and we can see the twinkly lights of the snowcats just starting their long night of grooming.
6:00 p.m. @ The Rack
We meet Lori and Tim at the Rack for a few drinks before our 8 p.m. dinner reservation. The Rack is busy and we can hear everyone talking about plans for the night. Some plan to head to Widowmaker, but Lori and Tim are making confetti to throw inside their house at midnight with their kids and nieces and nephews.
8:00 p.m. @ 45 North
The prix fixe New Year’s Eve menu is amazing. We both start with the green salad with maple vinaigrette, blue cheese, and cranberries. I opt for the herb-crusted salmon and Nik orders the center-cut sirloin. The fire is going and the restaurant is full. We sit next to a window looking out over the beginner trails on the lower mountain.
9:15 p.m. @ The Beach
We haven’t finished our meal, but our waitress lets us sneak out to catch the fireworks. The winter air is cold, but we are bundled, and from our viewpoint the chair lift is silhouetted in front of the fireworks. It’s the perfect mountain show.
9:45 p.m. @ 45 North
We come back just in time for our flourless chocolate cake to arrive. It has a side of whipped cream and blueberry sauce.
10:30 p.m. @ The Widowmaker Lounge
Harsh Armadillo is playing at the Widowmaker. We bought tickets a week ago, as we knew it would sell out. It’s the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball and the place is packed. We grab a drink from the bar and post up at one of the high tops. The pink glow of the stage draws us onto the dance floor for a few songs.
11:50 p.m. @ The Widowmaker deck
Just before midnight we walk out to the outdoor deck. The snowcats are still hard at work, and we can see the lights on the tops of the trails. The countdown begins. Looking at Sugarloaf Mountain, cheeks rosy from the cold, we ring in the new year.
FRIDAY
7:00a.m. @ Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel
My eyes snap open: I am determined to be on one of the first chairs of the year. I wake up Nik and we slowly get ready. We don’t have to drive today, so we have time to dawdle. We throw on our gear and head to the lift.
7:45 a.m. @ SuperQuad
We get on the fourteenth chair of the year, and are pretty darn proud of the accomplishment.
9:15 a.m. @ Urban Sugar Donuts
Nik decides to do another run, but I need coffee (and doughnuts). Urban Sugar Donuts offers Tandem Coffee, and I order two cups, plus a half dozen of the mini lemon doughnuts with raspberry. Nik comes in just in time to snag three of them and enjoy a cup of coffee with me.
9:45 a.m. @ Double Runner
We don’t feel like hiking back over to Superquad (it’s not far but Double Runner is closer). We proceed to race down the mountain, hitting all our favorite trails for the rest of the morning.
12:40 p.m. @ Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel
We were up late and up early, and got in a ton of morning runs. We decide to call it a day and head towards Kingfield.
1:30 p.m. @ SugarBowl
It’s our first time at SugarBowl, and we can see what all the buzz is about. Above the pins is a mural of Sugarloaf Mountain and all the lanes are full. We enjoy a drink at the bar and hang out for a bit.
2:00 p.m. @ Rolling Fatties
We head to Rolling Fatties in Kingfield. The owners, Rob and Polly MacMichael, know how to make a killer burrito. We have some Maine Root sodas and chips and guac, too.
3:40 p.m. @ Sugarloaf Sports Outlet
Popping into the Sports Outlet is a must-do when in Kingfield. The store has great deals on gear and clothing, and we leave with a logoed collar for our border collie, Sophia.
6:45 p.m. @ Gepetto’s
There are a few restaurants on the mountain and Gepetto’s is a classic. The staff are friendly and attentive and the food is perfectly filling. I order a house margarita and Nik enjoys Allagash Brewing Company’s White. Two chicken parms for the table!
SATURDAY
8:00 a.m. @ Java Joe’s
I order Carrabassett Coffee Company coffee and bagels and before going back to the room for Nik.
9:00 a.m. @ SuperQuad
Another day of skiing and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Most of the mountain is open and the trails are freshly groomed.
12:00 p.m. @ Sugarloaf
Our 48 Hours may be over, but we refuse to let our trip end. We book another night at the hotel and spend the rest of the day skiing, checking out Downhill Supply Company, and enjoying the night at the mountain, twinkly lights of the snowcats and all. It’s the perfect way to start a new year.