Ski Resorts in Maine | Where to Stay During Your Maine Ski Trip

As I drove up the highway, I resisted the urge to turn toward the ocean and instead veered left, inward toward Maine's mountains.

While the state is best known for its craggily coast and outstanding seafood, Maine is also home to mountains that provide the perfect winter playground for beginning ski and snowboarders and enthusiasts alike.

And yet, I had never been skiing in Maine before. I had hit the slopes in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, but it didn’t occur to me to head to Maine. That is, until my uncle, a seasoned New England skier, looked incredulous when I mentioned that I hadn’t been skiing Down East.

Once I reached Sugarloaf Mountain in the Carrabassett Valley Maine, I understood what the fuss is about. From the summit I could look north to Canada, east to the Atlantic or west toward New Hampshire’s presidential range. Whereas some New England ski areas are saturated with tourists, the ski resorts in Maine feel more authentic, rural and untouched. As I slipped down the slopes I understood that Maine ski resorts can really make you feel a world away, immersed in nature.

Here are a few of the most popular ski and snowboarding locations in Maine, along with the nearby accommodations that will make your ski break outstanding.

Accommodations Near Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain is one of Maine’s largest ski resorts, and the one that my uncle couldn’t believe I hadn’t yet visited. It’s the resort that made me realize that Maine needed to be on my winter ski itinerary.

Sugarloaf is the second highest mountain in Maine, and the ski area with the highest elevation in the state, at 4,237 feet above sea level. Even if you’re not super enthusiastic about skiing, it’s worth a trip to the top just to see the view from the summit, which spans two countries and many states. Sugarloaf has 13 lifts and 165 trails and glades, meaning that you can visit again and again without gettin bored.

Here’s where to stay while you’re skiing at Sugarloaf:

The Inn On Winter's Hill

The Inn On Winter’s Hill is perfect if you’re taking a romantic ski weekend away as a couple. The Inn is located in Kingfield, Maine, and is about 25 minutes from the slopes of Sugarloaf. That drive is about close as you can get by Maine standards.

The Inn offers Victorian and contemporary rooms in two buildings. After a day on the slopes, The Living Room lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail. Opt for a drink made with Shrubs, a vinegar-based drink that was popular during the Victorian era, when the original Winter’s Mansion was built. If you’re looking to supplement your skiing with other winter fun, the Inn offers direct access to snowmobile trails that sprawl through Western Maine.

The Inn On Winter's Hill

Kingfield

8.8 Excellent (346 reviews)

Sugarloaf Four-Season Cabin

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If you really want to feel like you’re having the true Maine experience, opt to stay in this cabin that is just five minutes away from Sugarloaf. That way, you can utilize the full day to ski from open to close.

The cabin is a great choice for families that are traveling to Sugarloaf to ski. It has a full kitchen, perfect for cooking a hearty breakfast before hitting the slopes, or a big dinner afterward. There is enough space for everyone to unwind after a day on the mountain, and a quaint fireplace perfect for sipping drinks at the end of the day.

Four Season Cabin Near Carrabasset River 5 Min. From Sugarloaf Mountain

Carrabassett Valley

9.7 Excellent (74 reviews)

Accommodations Near Shawnee Peak

If you’re looking for a mountain that is perfect for beginners, head to Shawnee Peak, in Bridgton, Maine. Shawnee Peak is Maine’s oldest ski mountain, in operation since 1938. The park as 40 trails overlooking the aptly-named Moose Pond (keep your eyes open for Maine’s most famous mammals as you drive in and out). Shawnee Peak offers the rare chance to go night skiing, with slopes open as late as 9 p.m.

The nearby town of Bridgton, Maine is a charming four-season destination full of restaurants, arts boutiques and other tourist destinations. Nearby Long Lake offers the chance to go ice fishing or snowmobiling, while the nearby outlets in North Conway, New Hampshire will give you the chance to get your shopping fix before going back home.

If you’re headed to Shawnee Peak, consider these nearby accommodations:

Ski In, Ski Out, Shawnee Peak

If you’re traveling to Shawnee Peak with the whole family, this condo can’t be beat. With two bedrooms, the condo sleeps up to eight people, so you’ll have plenty of room for family and friends. With two sets of bunk beds, the condo is perfect for families traveling with children.

Of course, the real draw is that you couldn’t be any closer to the slopes. You can open your door and ski out, before ending the day by skiing or boarding directly to your door step.

Vacation In Maine At This Beautiful Shawnee Peak Ski-in/ski-out Condo For 10!

Bridgton

9.9 Excellent (58 reviews)

Noble House Inn

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For a romantic getaway near Shawnee Peak, head to the Noble House Inn, located about ten minutes from the mountain. The Inn used to be home to a senator, but now it’s a temporary home to the visitors who come to Bridgton year round.

If you want an unforgettable experience, treat yourself to the Noble Suite. From this room, you can enjoy views of the garden and nearby Highland Lake. Even more importantly, you can relax your sore muscles in the in-room jacuzzi tub after a day of skiing.

Noble House Inn

Bridgton

9.8 Excellent (388 reviews)

Accommodations Near Sunday River

Sunday River is a massive ski resort, which includes eight different peaks. The resort has trails for beginners, and plenty of trails to keep even expert-level skiers engaged. Overall, Sunday River has 135 trails, covering more than 870 acres.

If you’re skiing at Sunday River, plan to stay in the nearby town of Bethel, slightly to the south of the mountain. There, you’ll find charming accommodations and great food, like the Brians, an upscale eatery run by a couple that creates seasonal delights and craft cocktails that will fill you up after a day on the slopes.

Check out these accommodations near Sunday River:

Holidae House B&B

Whether you’re having a romantic ski trip or traveling with friends, the Holidae House B&B is a good choice. The bed and breakfast offers eight rooms in a Victorian that was originally built in 1906. The Wandering Moose room, which has a kitchenette, a sleeper sofa and a private entrance, is perfect for people traveling with a group.

The bed and breakfast lives up to its name, serving a morning meal before you hit the slopes. When you return in the evening you can enjoy complimentary drinks, including coffee, hot chocolate and alcoholic drinks.

Holidae House B & B

Top rated

Bethel

9.8 Excellent (622 reviews)

Mountain Village Lodge

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Sometimes, you’re just looking for a comfortable bed to sleep in so that you can spend most of your time (and money) on the ski slopes. That’s what you’ll get at the Mountain Village Lodge.

The Lodge is no-frills, but it offers large, comfortable and clean rooms. Most importantly for ski enthusiasts, it has a free shuttle to Sunday River, so you can come and go with ease.

Mountain Village Lodge

Bethel

Oceanfront Skiing In Maine

There are few place in Maine where the (ski) mountains mean the ocean. However, you have the rare chance to enjoy the slopes and the sea if you head to Camden, Maine. From the Camden Snow Bowl you can ski 20 trails with 1,000 vertical feet of altitude. Although that’s smaller than other ski resorts in the state, the Snow Bowl is one-of-a-kind for its views over the ocean.

If you’re heading to Camden, stay in 16 Bay View, Camden, Maine. The 21-room hotel offers a clean, modern feel in a refurbished mill. The hotel is just a quarter mile from the harbor, so you can stroll to the oceanfront without getting too cold. The rooms have large soaking tubs that are perfect for recovering and warming up after a day on the slopes.

16 Bay View

Camden

9.8 Excellent (819 reviews)