CARRABASSETT VALLEY — Sugarloaf will officially open the summit of Burnt Mountain to skiers and snowboarders for the first time in the resort’s history.

Burnt Mountain offers a backcountry-style experience, with the security of inbounds, patrolled terrain. The summit of Burnt Mountain can be reached via a hiking path or a skin track originating at the end of the Golden Road in Brackett Basin. Following a hike to the summit, skiers and riders can access the newly cut Androscoggin glade, which offers 68 acres of never-before-skied terrain covering 1,200 vertical feet.

“As far as inbounds resort skiing goes, it’s truly unique in the East,” Roddy Ehrlenbach, Sugarloaf assistant ski patrol director, said. “It’s very much like a backcountry experience, from the hike out to the terrain you ski down from the summit. It’s a lot of work to get out there, but if you’re prepared for it, it’s well worth the effort.”

The Burnt Mountain experience should be undertaken by expert skiers and riders only, and familiarity with winter backcountry skiing or hiking is strongly recommended. Skiers embarking on the hike to the summit should be equipped with food and water, appropriate layers, and should travel with a group of three or more people. The trip to the summit and back to the resort base area can take anywhere from two to four hours.

Anyone unfamiliar with the Burnt Mountain terrain is encouraged to visit Ski Patrol at the top of the Skyline lift to ask questions.

Now in its fourth year, the Sugarloaf 2020 10-Year Road Map outlines the resort’s 10-year vision for development. Since the vision was first unveiled in 2010, the resort has seen numerous upgrades and improvements, including more than 500 acres of new terrain, a new quad chairlift, massive upgrades to its snowmaking system, a new irrigation system for the Sugarloaf Golf Club, new restaurants and food options, and upgraded facilities throughout the resort.

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