Shawnee Peak in Maine is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. As part of a series on ski resorts, Huffington Post Travel offers our guide to Shawnee Peak, featuring all the key information snow lovers need to know before they hit the slopes.
The Basics
Located in southwest Maine,
is less than an hour's drive from Portland, 2 1/2 hours from Boston and 20 minutes from North Conway, New Hampshire. Shawnee Peak offers the most night skiing in New England, with 19 lit trails open six nights a week. The resort's
features rail slides, kickers and walls -- all lit for nighttime action. The nearest airport is Portland International Jetport, but Manchester International in New Hampshire and Boston's Logan International are also nearby. From Boston, the
takes visitors round-trip to Portland.
The Mountain
Shawnee Peak's elevation is 1,900 feet, with a vertical drop of 1,300 feet and 249 acres for skiing and snowboarding. The mountain receives 90 to 110 inches of snow annually, plus the resort boasts a state-of-the-art
that provide good conditions day and night. Ski season begins in mid-December and runs through late March; night skiing is from late December to mid-March. Shawnee Peak is
, falling somewhere between the overwhelming vastness of some resorts and small ski hills, according to SkiResortGuide.com.
Trails And Lifts
Skiers of all abilities will find the right run among Shawnee Peak's 40 day trails, 19 night trails and four glade trails. New skiers can practice on one of the resort's seven beginner trails, while more advanced visitors can ski 23 intermediate and 14 advanced trails. The resort's
, including one quad, two triples, one double and a surface carpet lift, can take 7,200 skiers up the mountain each hour. Shawnee Peak's terrain parks -- Grommet Garden for beginners and Main Terrain Park for experienced freestylers -- are lit up at night; features such as kickers, rails and spines are always changing.
In The News
Catering to families is important at Shawnee Peak and the resort plays host to the
for kids ages 6 to 18. This USSA-affiliated program allows youngsters the opportunity to compete on elite levels at FIS, USSA and other events. Each year, families compete in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, the largest family ski-racing event in the country with races for all levels. And for beginners or experienced skiers looking to improve, the resort's
has certified instructors who teach a variety of lessons for all levels and age groups.
Cost
During the week, a full day is $41 for adults and $33 for juniors ages 6 to 12, while night skiing ranges from $13 to $30, depending on the day of the week. On weekends, full-day
cost $59 for adults and $46 for juniors. Kids 5 and younger ski free every day and on weekends and holidays.
are $95 for adults and $82 for juniors on two-day weekends and nonholidays, and $105 for adults and $82 for juniors skiing two days during a holiday. Skiers can save with
and
, along with daily specials such as Ladies' Day on Fridays with discounts on lift tickets, equipment rentals and lunch for female skiers. Shawnee Peak rents Burton equipment for skiing and snowboarding, with prices ranging from $10 to $35 per day; discounts accompany multiday rentals.
Apres-Ski
Hungry skiers can choose from one of three
. The family-friendly Base Lodge Cafe boasts standards like burgers, pizza and fried fish. Blizzard's Pub stays open late with food, live entertainment and a full bar. The East Lodge Cafe offers quick snacks, sodas and coffee. Other resort amenities include the
, a fully licensed facility for children ages 3 months to 6 years. And in between trips down the slopes, couples can tie the knot at Shawnee Peak with several
for the ceremony, reception, catering and honeymoon room.
WATCH: Shawnee Peak
Freestylers show off some tricks at Shawnee Peak's terrain park.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.