Getting to Sugarloaf?

[evanderkloot]

I'm a student at Bowdoin College and I've been reading all the hype about the storm tomorrow and want to head up to Sugarloaf (or Loon or Sunday River) for the day. I've got my skis, season pass, and all that, but my two-wheel drive sedan is not going to make it on the snowy roads.

Does anyone know if there is any public transportation (I'm guessing a bus is the only thing I'm likely to find) from Brunswick or Portland, Maine to any of those mountains? I don't want to have to sit inside tomorrow wishing I were skiing!

 

[Skimaine]

There is no public transportation to Sugarloaf. If you have a good set of snow tires, your two wheel drive will do just fine. If you do not have a good set of snow's, then get them. Well worth it and you do not want to miss snow days.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Dear Santa:

Dear Santa: I've been a good (boy/girl/other) all year long. I've been doin' all right, getting good grades, the future's so bright...

All I want for Christmas is a set of four Hakkapeliitta Q's, mounted and balanced. They will assist me in my vital research field trips of local culturally significant activities.

Please don't bring me coal again. It's not environmentally responsable.

Signed




Seriously, though. 2wd should get you to the 'loaf without a problem. Decent tires make a huge difference, but the trip is relatively flat. Leave plenty of time, don't drive like a dope, bring a few friends to push, if needed. Saves on gas, makes it more fun.

My first trip to Sugarloaf was in a 2WD Subaru wagon. I was in college (for the second time) coming from U-Lowell and the Gondi was still running. (How much in those two sentences date me?)

 

[wa-loaf]

I'm a student at Bowdoin College and I've been reading all the hype about the storm tomorrow and want to head up to Sugarloaf (or Loon or Sunday River) for the day. I've got my skis, season pass, and all that, but my two-wheel drive sedan is not going to make it on the snowy roads.

Does anyone know if there is any public transportation (I'm guessing a bus is the only thing I'm likely to find) from Brunswick or Portland, Maine to any of those mountains? I don't want to have to sit inside tomorrow wishing I were skiing!

As stated get some snows if you can, but you should be fine. I spent years driving up to the Loaf in 2wd cars on bald tires. Grew up in the Waterville area and went to Colby.

 

[snowmonster]

Tried posting a note on those bulletin boards in the hallways? I'm sure someone else in the dorms is jonesing to ski tomorrow and will gladly share a ride in his/her 4x4. Just throw in gas money and you should be all set.

Snow tires -- I have heard good things about Bridgestone Blizzaks.

 

[MichaelJ]

Blizzaks are wonderful. I have 4 on my Subaru Outback and getting to a ski area has never been a problem.

Drive very moderately between Kingfield and the 'Loaf access road, where it winds along the river, and you should be fine.

 

[The Sneak]

I drove to the loaf over 160 times over the span of 2 seasons from farmington. 40 miles each way in a 14 year old 200k+ Saab 900 with snow tires one year and all seasons the other. NEVER any problems. No airbags, ABS, DSC, traction control etc.

Hell, my old 95 BMW 325is was actually pretty good in the snow with michelin artic alpins. The only trouble I ever had with it was clearance related.

 

[Geoff]

Blizzaks are wonderful. I have 4 on my Subaru Outback and getting to a ski area has never been a problem.

Drive very moderately between Kingfield and the 'Loaf access road, where it winds along the river, and you should be fine.

I run the Blizzak WS-60 on my VW GTI. I was always a Nokian guy but I needed wheels + tire pressure monitoring system + tires that would definitely fit on my car and didn't have the time to kit it up myself. I used TireRack.com and had the package drop-shipped to my front door. They don't carry Nokian.

My only concern about Blizzaks is tire wear. Nokians cost more but last a really long time. The Blizzaks are somewhat quieter on dry roads. The snow and black ice performance are similar.

 

[Swamp Dog]

My first trip to Sugarloaf was in a 2WD Subaru wagon. I was in college (for the second time) coming from U-Lowell and the Gondi was still running. (How much in those two sentences date me?)

well, U-Lowell became part of UMass in 1991 I believe. My brother also went there when it was U-Lowell, after graduating high school in '84. Not sure what year he graduated from Lowell. Wait.....yes I am......it was 1990. I went to his graduation with my newborn son and spent the entire ceremony in the car because he would not stop crying.

anyhow.....

this has nothing to do with getting to SL now does it?

 

[Skimaine]

Drive very moderately between Kingfield and the 'Loaf access road, where it winds along the river, and you should be fine.

Especially watch yourself in the “S’s” – between the Carrabasset Inn to the Access road. Many folks rushing to get first chair or jacked from a great day of skiing drive too fast through this section and pay the price. Slow down!

 

[crank]

Errrah, ya can't get theah from heah.

 

[bigbog]

....

Really aren't that many roads to plow, thus imho they do a pretty good job of plowing...you'll be surprised.
*Get some weight, either cinder block or box with some dirt, or something..and center it over your rear axle...it's weight over the axle with the positive-drive that'll does the trick..

$.01

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

well, U-Lowell became part of UMass in 1991 I believe. My brother also went there when it was U-Lowell, after graduating high school in '84. Not sure what year he graduated from Lowell. Wait.....yes I am......it was 1990. I went to his graduation with my newborn son and spent the entire ceremony in the car because he would not stop crying.

anyhow.....

this has nothing to do with getting to SL now does it?

No. It makes a great Hijack though. Your brother wasn't on the ski team, was he?

Meanwhile, back in the thread.

Good snows, the right amount of weight, appropriately distributed. Lot's of common sense in driving. They all get you a long ways. As mentioned multiple times, the route to the 'loaf is generally well plowed and not very extreme in terms of grade.

Back when I had the 2wd Subie, I had a set of tire chains. I never used them. We have to chain up at work when the snow is over 4" deep. There is only one thing worse than putting chains on and that's taking them off.