Sugarloaf new terrain park YES

This winter Maine's ski areas will reveal upgrades such as added trails, new runs and better snow conditions.
Maine's mountains are expanding, Olympic-style, you could say.

Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley is pursuing a $150 million upgrade that would turn the friendly family mountain into a four-season resort and winter village.

Sugarloaf/USA is adding an enormous new terrain park, which mountain spokesman Bill Swain said has nothing to do with itsOlympic ambassador's recent success.

But, come on. It would be unthinkable for the park to be dubbed anything but "Wescott Way."(When the naming contest begins, remember you heard that one here first.)

For those not plugged into the boardercross world, Sugarloaf-based Seth Wescott took the first-ever gold medal in the new event at the Winter Olympics this year in Italy.

This will help, no doubt, lure more people to the Maine mountain.

"Seth Wescott helps winter recreation. We are competing for people's leisure time... The more people see snowboarding and boardercross in front of them, on television or in the newspaper, it helps all of us," said Alex Kaufman, spokesman at Sunday River in Newry.
Sugarloaf's new terrain park will be 400feet across and almost a half-mile long, with jumps measuring from 65 to 75 feet.
"It will run parallel to the Super Quad, which is neat because people can see snowboarders jump. It's steep in places, which is important for good landing hills for jumps," Swain said.
While Sugarloaf's new terrain park may rival any in the state, Sunday River is adding a trail on the busiest of its eight mountain peaksto relieve congestion thereand keep everyone going downhill fast.