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Sunday River's 50th Simply Icing on the Cake

December 07, 2009 - NEWRY -- Rocking Chair it's called; sounds like a place grandma might sit and knit.

But Rocking Chair has been the site of everything from pond skimming and Seth Wescott's World Cup Boardercross run to the Simon Dumont Cup, where young skiers perform their latest, greatest tricks in front of TV crews and crowds.

However, this snow-covered section of trail at Sunday River had far more humble beginnings. Fifty years ago, it hosted the very first skiers at Sunday River Skiway. A T-bar deposited those inaugural skiers up 1,000 feet on Barker Mountain, most wearing wooden skis made in nearby Paris.

The original Rocking Chair and neighboring Cascade trail, covered with a thin layer of natural snow on Dec. 19, 1959, were the start of what has become the second largest ski resort in New England. Flash forward 50 years, and Sunday River is home to 132 trails on eight peaks served by 16 lifts, and one of the most sophisticated snowmaking systems on the planet powering 1,900 guns.

She's come a long way, as they say. So you can imagine the celebration planned for Sunday River's 50th birthday party weekend Dec. 18-20. To commemorate the five decades of history, my friend and fellow ski scribe Dave Irons has written a book on the topic, "Sunday River, Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future."

My history with Sunday River is not as long and legendary as his – he skied Sunday River on that first day 50 years ago. He went on to ski patrol at Sunday River from 1968 to 1988, serving as ski patrol director from 1971 to 1982.

My first trip to Sunday River was in 1989; my brand-new husband and I were visiting from Smugglers Notch, Vt., our home ski resort at the time. It was March, and the moguls were humongous on the hot new trail, White Heat – dubbed the longest, steepest, widest trail in the East. I was flabbergasted by the plethora of lifts – quads and triples, no less. Coming from Smugglers, I was accustomed to aging doubles, so to me, Sunday River was a mountain on the move.

It was the second annual Bust 'n Burn featuring the Legends of Freestyle Skiing. Stretch-pants wearing superstars Wayne Wong and Scotty Brooksbank bashed the steep slushy bumps of White Heat under the warm sun, popping backscratchers and spread eagles, dueling head to head with daring locals.

Life was good at the River. Les Otten was in charge and charging forward with snowmaking, new lifts and new mountains. Aurora and Jordan Bowl were still mere plans on his office wall. Little did I know then that I would end up living in Maine, frequently skiing the superb snow made at this resort, which would expand to 671 acres, and writing this weekly ski column.

What I did know – Sunday Punch was, and probably still is, my favorite trail at Sunday River. Perhaps that is because my grandfather told me it was his favorite. He remembered skiing Sunday Punch when it was added in 1961 along with Sunday River's second T-bar.

Everyone has their Sunday River story, like those who had the opportunity to buy one of those great little Viking Village lots for $300 back in 1965, or skied for $7 in the 1970s.

I am sure Irons' retrospective about the River will unveil assorted pearls when it is available for sale during the 50th anniversary weekend. Aren't you eager to hear the stories from those who helped shape Sunday River, from Sunday River Skiway to the Otten Empire, SKI and ASC, to present-day Boyne? How many clever ad campaigns can you name besides "Take Me to the River?" It promises to be a fantastic weekend of legend, lore and laughs, since Tim Sample is on the schedule.

Boyne representatives will be on hand to share their plans for the future of Sunday River as well. The company has spent $22 million since taking over in 2007.

Sunday River's celebration includes deals too, starting with $50 ski and stay packages available now through the birthday weekend of Dec. 18-20, then continuing with $50 ski days each month, and a "Fifty Fest" planned for Jan. 19-22.

Sister Sugarloaf (more often rivals than fellow resorts over the past five decades) threw an unforgettable 50th in 2002. Folks came out of the woodwork to share their love of the 'Loaf and their funny stories from the fall line while drinking the punch. I expect the same at Sunday River's birthday bash. I hope to see you on the slopes.

HEATHER BURKE, Portland Press Herald, December 2, 2009


Lakes:
Regions: Sebago, Rangeley


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