Second Best Season Ever For Maine Ski Resorts
The ski resorts in Maine were on the verge of breaking their all-time record, with just under 55,000 visits to go. According to Ski Area Management, the alpine ski areas in Maine welcomed a total of 1,372,128 skier visits during the 2022-23 season, making it the second highest in history. The only season that surpassed it was the snowy 2007-08 season, which recorded 1,426,543 visits. This remarkable achievement contributed to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) reporting an unprecedented 64.7 million skier visits nationwide for the same season.
The announcement was made by the Ski Maine Association, representing 16 alpine ski areas and 21 Nordic centres in the state. Dirk Gouwens, the Executive Director of the Ski Maine Association, expressed his thoughts on the 2022-23 season, saying:
"Despite the less-than-ideal winter weather across much of the state, skiers flocked to Maine's ski areas in large numbers to enjoy what they have to offer. We continue to witness ongoing improvements in our ski areas this summer, and with some assistance from Mother Nature, we are confident that we will attract even more visitors in the future."
A panoramic view of the many mountain peaks which Sunday River calls home. Credit: Sunday River
While the late-season snowfall likely contributed to the increase in visitors, the continuous investments in the ski resorts also played a significant role. Prior to the 2022-23 season, offseason upgrades included a new chairlift at Saddleback, a new t-bar at Sugarloaf, and the introduction of the Jordan 8 bubble chairlift at Sunday River. Looking ahead to the 2023-24 season, planned investments include terrain and lift expansion at Sugarloaf, as well as the replacement of the Barker Express with a bubble chairlift at Sunday River.
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