Sunday River Opens Earliest Ever
(October 4, 1996)

Unseasonably cool temperatures overnight allowed New England's biggest snowmaking system to blanket the advanced-level T2 trail on Locke Mountain. First tracks in Maine were made at 6:30 a.m. and T2 was officially opened to the public at 3:30 p.m. The half-mile trail is served by Locke Mountain triple chair and mid-station.

Sunday River, the largest alpine resort in Maine, has offered skiing and riding in October three of the past five years.

"I can't tell you how exciting it is to see skiers on the hill again," said Chip Seamans, vice president of mountain operations for Sunday River. "This time of year the ground is still relatively warm, so the fact we were able to open early is a tribute to our snowmaking system and the guys who operate it. We'll continue to make snow whenever possible and for as long as possible."

Sunday River will resume snowmaking tonight as soon as temperatures dip below freezing. The extended forecast calls for warmer weather this weekend. Skiers and snowboarders are urged to call the Sunday River snow phone (207-824-5200) before heading to the slopes on Saturday.

Vermont's Killington Resort today became the first ski area in the nation to open for the season. Both Killington and Sunday River are owned and operated by the American Skiing Co., based in Newry. Four other American Skiing Co. resorts, Sugarbush and Mount Snow in Vermont, Attitash Bear Peak in New Hampshire and Sugarloaf/USA in Maine, also made snow last night but have not set firm opening dates. The American Skiing Co. is the largest ski resort operator in North America.

Sunday River is coming off its 16th consecutive record season. The resort this summer invested in $1.5 million in capital improvements, including a third double-diamond glade on Oz, a lighted half-pipe and a new teen center.