Pleasant Mountain and Sunday River are the two most convenient Maine ski resorts for visitors based in Portland or Boston — and they represent genuinely different ski experiences. Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton (45 minutes from Portland) is the accessible, affordable, family-friendly option with the best night skiing in New England. Sunday River in Bethel (90 minutes from Portland) is Maine most visited ski resort — 8 interconnected peaks, extensive terrain, the strongest snowmaking in the East, and a full base-village infrastructure. After thirty years covering Maine, here is how to choose.
Quick answer: Choose Pleasant Mountain for the closest serious skiing to Portland, the best night skiing in New England, lower prices, and a family-friendly day-trip option. Choose Sunday River for the biggest mountain experience — 8 peaks, 135 trails, the strongest snowmaking in the East, and a full slopeside village for a proper multi-day ski trip.
Pleasant Mountain (Bridgton)
Pleasant Mountain is Maine oldest continuously operating ski area — open since 1938, known as Shawnee Peak until Boyne Resorts restored its original name in 2022. The mountain offers 40 trails, 1,300 feet of vertical drop, and six lifts, with approximately half the terrain lit for night skiing — more night skiing terrain than any other resort in New England. Located in Bridgton, 45 minutes from Portland and 30 minutes from North Conway NH. Works best for: families with young or beginning skiers, anyone wanting skiing without a long drive, night skiing enthusiasts, value-conscious skiers (lift tickets 20-30% below Sunday River). Trade-offs: meaningfully smaller than Sunday River, no slopeside lodging.
Sunday River (Bethel)
Sunday River in Bethel is Maine most visited ski resort — eight interconnected peaks with 135 trails, 870 skiable acres, and 2,340 feet of vertical drop. Sunday River signature is consistency: the strongest snowmaking system in the eastern US means the resort opens earlier and closes later than any other Maine mountain regardless of natural snowfall. Wide, well-groomed cruising terrain across eight peaks means you can ski for several days without repeating runs. The Jordan 8 high-speed bubble chair has significantly improved access to Jordan Bowl expert terrain. Works best for: families wanting terrain variety over multiple days, groups with mixed ability levels, travelers who want proper ski-trip slopeside lodging. Trade-offs: 90 minutes from Portland, higher prices, peak-weekend crowds. See our Bethel destination guide and Sunday River vs Sugarloaf comparison.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Pleasant Mountain if:
You are based in Portland or the seacoast and want to ski without a long drive. Night skiing is on the agenda. Traveling with beginners or young children. Budget matters. A ski day rather than a ski trip is what you are planning.
Choose Sunday River if:
You want the biggest mountain experience in southern Maine. Multiple days of skiing with terrain variety. Slopeside lodging is part of the plan. Consistent snowmaking coverage matters. You are willing to drive 90 minutes for a significantly larger mountain.
At a Glance
| Pleasant Mountain | Sunday River | |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical drop | 1,300 feet | 2,340 feet |
| Trails | 40 | 135 |
| Night skiing | Best in New England | Limited |
| Slopeside lodging | No | Yes (full village) |
| Price | Lower | Higher |
| Drive from Portland | 45 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Best for | Day trips, families, night skiing | Multi-day trips, terrain variety |
Where to Stay
Pleasant Mountain has no slopeside lodging — most visitors day-trip from Portland (45 min) or stay in Bridgton (10 min). Sunday River has full slopeside condo and hotel inventory plus the town of Bethel 10 minutes away.
For vacation rentals, see MaineVacationRentals.com.
For the full Maine ski picture: Maine Skiing guide. For Sunday River vs Sugarloaf: Sunday River vs Sugarloaf. For Sugarloaf vs Saddleback: Sugarloaf vs Saddleback. For driving distances: Maine Driving Distances.
MaineGuide.com has been helping visitors plan their Maine trips since 1995 — making us one of the longest-running and most comprehensive Maine travel resources on the web.