Quick question. I'm going to be going to Maine (Bangor area) for Thanksgiving where my girlfriend lives. I know it's colder and snowier up there than here in the Mid-Atlantic, but wasn't sure if that meant hitting the slopes to snowboard as early as Thanksgiving. What should I expect for that time of year?

Also what slopes and resorts exist up there and has anyone here had any experience skiing or snowboarding in Maine?

A trip to the slopes will be for me to snowboard new terrain, but also to teach my girlfriend how to snowboard. So no Timberline-esque off the wall slopes preferably.

The major mountains in Maine are Sugarloaf and Sunday River. Both are in western Maine near the NH border. In college I skied Pleasant Mtn., also on the western edge. I believe it is now called Shawnee. Bangor is a long way "down east". There may be smaller ski areas near there but the big ones are some distance away.

sugarloaf is da bomb, and saddleback is da bomb 2, but for that date you better hope for Sunday River. It's more accessible and I don't think anyone has more snowmaking. And thats as mainstream as it gets.

oh yeah, expect real cold and hard pack groomers. it wouldn't be right any other way.

btw, its not really any snowier than the canaan valley; however, it doesn't seem to melt very much ...

Sugarloaf is a lot closer to Bangor and is likely to be the easiest day trip. Saddleback and the other smaller areas are unlikely to be open. Shawnee peak does not open until Dec. The loaf and river are the only decent options.

Thanks teleman. What should I expect with Sugarloaf? Wide selection of trails? Quality natural snow/snowmaking? Good greens for a beginner?

Just found this while browsing,
http://www.youtube.com/user/visitmaineco...u/0/0ERkIWRsOiI

Sugarloaf has everything. IMO it is the best single mountain in New England. Be prepared for serious cold. It may not happen but if it does - - - . One year the heating oil froze and lodges that had oil heat with outdoor tanks had no heat until nature warmed things up a bit. That happens somewhere around -40.

in mid winter, yes. in three weeks its a crapshoot. i think you just have to wait and see who has what. good luck!

nice video, Denis, i wanna go back to sugarloaf.

I really hate to ask, but did you bother with skiing while you were up there?