Sugarloaf, Maine’s largest ski resort, is closed today, December 19, due to major road and infrastructure damage. Yesterday’s storm, which left hundreds of thousands of people without power along the East Coast, damaged the mountain, parts of the resort’s village, and roads leading to and around the resort.
Sugarloaf has not yet released an estimate on when they will reopen, but an update is at some point today. Carrabassett Valley Police posted an image of a washed out Route 27, the road leading to Sugarloaf’s access road, at the Redington Bridge near Tuft’s Pond Road North. The police department requested early this morning that nobody attempts to access Sugarloaf at this time.
Other posts show water rushing over the major roads throughout Carrabassett Valley, washing out the bank along the side of Route 27. The nearby Carrabassett River can be seen rushing nearby, and water flows can be seen flowing towards ski cabins.
Farmington, Maine, home to the University of Maine Farmington, the small Titcomb Mountain, and one of the major routes to both Sugarloaf and Saddleback (which is also closed), can be seen suffering from major flooding in posts made to Facebook. Some images show what appear to be washed out sheds, near fully covered vehicles, and water up to the top of street signs and the large McDonald’s sign in town.
If you’re in an area affected by this storm, please stay safe! If you’re at Sugarloaf, stay dry and try to avoid driving anywhere. If you’re not at Sugarloaf, don’t try to go. Road closures will certainly prevent you from getting there, and road conditions will likely make any drive unsafe.
It’s sad to see all of this damage throughout New England. Hopefully these mountains, including Sugarloaf, Saddleback, and Sunday River, can get things repaired quickly, and hopefully some snow will hit the ground in the near future so the East Coast ski season can get going once again!
Related: One Of Sunday River’s Roads Washes Out Due To Heavy Rain
Image Credit: Carrabassett Valley Police Department via Facebook