Visitor to the Sunday River ski resort, located not far from Portland, Maine, received a holiday surprise when they arrived on the slopes this past weekend. The resort was holding its 11th annual “Santa Sunday” and as a result, there were 250 skiers dressed as jolly St. Nick on the slopes that day.
Each year, Sunday River holds the event to raise money for the Bethel Rotary Club, awarding two free lift tickets to the first 250 people who pre-register to take part. In turn, those registrants agree to wear the appropriate Santa garb, which include red coat, pants, hat (complete with pompom) and fluffy white beard. They must also agree to donate $10 to the cause, which is used by the Rotary Club to provide gifts for local children who come from needy families and may not have much of a Christmas otherwise. This year, Santa Sunday sold out in less than 12 minutes.
Besides playing host to a gaggle of Santas each year, Sunday River is a great ski resort that is easily accessible throughout the northeastern part of the U.S. and eastern Canada. With 132 trails spread out across 671 acres and 8 mountains, Sunday River has ski options for all skill levels and ages. Add in the fact that they can make enough snow to cover 92% of the resort, and you can bet that there will also be plenty of powder to play in. And with an abundance of the real stuff flying over the past week, conditions are great on the slopes at the moment.
Check out the video below for an idea of what Santa Sunday is all about.
[Photo credit: Sunday River]