CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Maine — Sugarloaf/USA will become a coveted destination for new schoolers in the 2006-07 winter season with the introduction of a new marquee terrain park that promises bigger, better and more features than have ever been offered at the Maine resort. The new terrain park is just one of many major projects totaling nearly $1 million completed this summer to improve the overall Sugarloaf experience.

The yet unnamed park was cut from terrain between the SuperQuad and the Lower Narrow Gauge trail and will take freeskiing and riding to unequaled heights. The new trail is up to 400 feet wide and nearly a half a mile long to accommodate a series of jumps, features and rails. “This new park will let us build bigger, better, safer, and more fun features from start to finish,” said Tim Norton, Sugarloaf’s park manager. The new park will be staffed by park rangers seven days a week to ensure the features are in pristine and safe condition.

The park begins at Peavy Cross Cut near the bottom of the Competition Hill trail and runs parallel to the SuperQuad. Skiers will exit on to Schipper’s Streak, the lower hook off Lower Narrow Gauge.

The new park’s name will come directly from Sugarloafers through an online contest. “The winner of the contest will have the ultimate in bragging rights with their name at the entrance of the park and they’ll be a part of Sugarloaf history,” said Sugarloaf’s Brand Manager Karen Greene. The winning name will be selected in December from entries submitted online at www.sugarloaf.com.

The Chaser trail will return to a conventional ski trail with its former name, Lower Double Bitter, and will be the site of a snowboard-cross course for events and special occasions. The Stomping Grounds will become a mini-park for first time newschoolers with a mini pipe and a series of near-earth features, rails, and jumps that are ideal for learning the fundamentals of freestyle park riding.

Near the entrance to the new park, skiers and riders will notice the latest addition to Sugarloaf’s competitive racing operation. The new Jean Luce Competition Facility was built in partnership with the Sugarloaf Ski Club and the Town of Carrabassett Valley. The facility offers outstanding views up the Narrow Gauge and Competition Hill trails and will house timing operations and serve as the on-mountain headquarters for racers, coaches and parents.

Parents and children will be the first to appreciate reorganization to the Sugarloaf base lodge. This summer, the Mountain Adventure program was moved from the top floor to the ground floor to consolidate all children’s programs on one level. This will streamline the check in process and make it more convenient for parents who have children of different ages in learning programs.

The former Mountain Adventure meeting room on the top floor of the base lodge immediately adjacent to the slopes is now Sugarloaf’s new ski and snowboard rental shop. The new shop employs state-of-the-art rack systems to speed the rental process and get skiers and riders on the slopes quicker. The new location also offers slopeside access and eliminates the need to navigate stairs in ski boots to return equipment.

The first of two phases to beautify the Sugarloaf Village is underway. The two-year program is designed to make the village more pedestrian-friendly both functionally and visually. This year’s efforts include new landscaping, signage and building exteriors.

Sugarloaf extends its commitment to the environment by purchasing biodiesel fuel to power groomers and shuttle busses. Biodiesel is being produced on-site from vegetable oil collected from on-mountain restaurants. One bus, unofficially nicknamed the French Fry Express, will run exclusively on biodiesel fuel to boost public awareness of the recycling concept.

Energy conservation continues in snowmaking operations with the addition of more than two dozen low energy snowguns. The low-e guns use approximately 40 percent less energy than traditional guns to make comparable amounts of snow. In all, Sugarloaf employs more than 150 low-e snowguns to boost early season coverage while conserving electricity.

Nordic skiing enthusiasts will find 15 of the 30 bridges at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center have been replaced with the balance on the agenda for next fall. Master planning is also underway for dramatic upgrades and improvements that will include a new skating rink, extensive renovations and an expansion to the existing Outdoor Center lodge. The final plan is expected to be complete and presented to Carrabassett Valley voters at the March 2007 town meeting.

To learn more about Sugarloaf, visit us online at www.sugarloaf.com or call 1.800 THE LOAF today.