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   Maine: Sunday River: Expansions
Ski Area Expansions
 
Whitecap at Sunday River
Whitecap Details
Whitecap
Status:Open
First Season of Operation:1987-88
Lifts:3 chairlifts
Terrain:Novice, intermediate, and expert terrain
Return to Sunday River Profile
Though Sunday River co-creator Paul Kailey had originally wanted to start the ski area on the White Cap peak, the terrain was deemed too steep. Thusly Barker Mountain was developed in the 1950s for the opening of Sunday River.

Three decades later, as Sunday River was in the midst of major growth, the White Cap vision finally became reality. In 1987, a new 3,725 feet long by 898 feet vertical Yan fixed grip quad ("White Cap") was installed from the new White Cap base area to the existing Locke Mountain complex. The following year, the White Cap area was formally developed with the additional of two more Yan fixed grip quads.

The Little White Cap Quad, 3,135 feet long by 602 vertical feet, served novice and intermediate terrain starting from the base area. In addition, the White Cap Quad also provided access to the other new lift - the White Heat Quad. Climbing 1,294 vertical feet over the course of a run of 3,665 feet, the White Heat Quad served Sunday River's most challenging complex of terrain yet. The lift line, White Heat, was billed as "the steepest longest widest trail in the East."

Four years later, the Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Conference Center opened near the base of White Cap.


The first phase of the White Cap expansion on the 1987 Sunday River trail map
The first phase of the White Cap expansion on the 1987 Sunday River trail map

The White Cap Lodge (2007)
The White Cap Lodge (2007)

The Little White Cap Quad (2007)
The Little White Cap Quad (2007)

The bottom terminal of the White Cap Quad (2007)
The bottom terminal of the White Cap Quad (2007)

The White Heat trail and quad chairlift (2007)
The White Heat trail and quad chairlift (2007)

The top terminal of the White Heat Quad (2007)
The top terminal of the White Heat Quad (2007)

The top of White Cap (2007)
The top of White Cap (2007)

White Cap on the 2009 Sunday River trail map
White Cap on the 2009 Sunday River trail map

Sunday River Expansion History
Project NameSeasonStatus
Aurora Peak1991-92Open
Barker Mountain1971-72Open
Jordan Bowl1994-95Open
Locke Mountain1961-62Open
Merrill Hill2022-23Proposed
North Peak1985-86Open
Oz1995-96Open
Spruce Peak1986-87Open
Whitecap1987-88Open
Return to Sunday River Ski History

Last updated: October 3, 2016

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