Carrabassett Valley, Maine

Home of Sugarloaf.

Overview

Carrabassett Valley is Maine's youngest town, incorporated on October 26, 1971, when residents of Jerusalem Township voted 21-13 to create a new municipality centered around the booming Sugarloaf ski resort. Nestled in the western mountains of Franklin County, this premier four-season resort community encompasses the second-tallest peak in Maine at 4,237 feet. With a year-round population of just 673 that swells dramatically with skiers, hikers, and mountain bikers, Carrabassett Valley offers world-class outdoor recreation and stunning mountain scenery.

Key Facts

Population 673

Region Maine Lakes & Mountains

County Franklin

Founded 1971

Nearest City Farmington (30 mins)

Town Office Visit official website

What Carrabassett Valley Is Known For

Carrabassett Valley Local Highlights

Sugarloaf Mountain Resort

Maine's largest ski area with 162 trails across 1,360 acres, featuring the only lift-serviced above-treeline skiing in the East and a 2,820-foot vertical drop.

Four-Season Mountain Recreation

Year-round activities including skiing, snowboarding, golf, mountain biking, hiking, and 90 kilometers of Nordic ski trails.

Maine's Youngest Town

Incorporated in 1971, making it the newest municipality in Maine, created specifically to serve the ski resort community.

Maine Huts & Trails System

Access to an extensive backcountry hut-to-hut trail system for hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing through pristine wilderness.

Things to Do

Ski Sugarloaf Mountain

Experience over 1,360 skiable acres with above-treeline skiing, snowboarding, and the longest continuous vertical drop in New England at 2,820 feet.

Golf at Sugarloaf Golf Club

Play this championship 18-hole Robert Trent Jones Jr. course with stunning mountain views and challenging mountain terrain.

Explore Maine Huts & Trails

Adventure through 90 kilometers of groomed trails connecting backcountry huts for multi-day hiking, biking, or Nordic skiing trips.

Mountain Bike in Summer

Ride lift-accessed downhill trails and cross-country routes through spectacular mountain terrain during the warmer months.

Living in Carrabassett Valley

Carrabassett Valley offers a unique mountain lifestyle for outdoor enthusiasts, with a small year-round community that swells during ski season. Housing ranges from condos to mountain homes, with many seasonal properties. The town centers around recreation, with limited services but easy access to Farmington and Kingfield for shopping and amenities.

Weather & Seasons

summer

Cool and pleasant, 60-75°F

winter

Cold and snowy, 5-25°F

spring

Cool and muddy, 30-55°F

fall

Crisp and colorful, 40-60°F

Local Wildlife & Nature

Moose Black Bears White-tailed Deer Snowshoe Hares

How to Get There

Carrabassett Valley is located in western Maine's mountains, approximately 30 minutes north of Farmington via Route 27. From Portland, take I-95 north to Auburn, then Route 4 to Farmington, and Route 27 north to the valley. The drive from Portland takes about 2.5 hours. The nearest commercial airport is Portland International Jetport.

Satellite preview shows the approximate town outline to help you get oriented before you arrive.

Satellite preview

Carrabassett Valley outline

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Sugarloaf unique among East Coast ski resorts?

Sugarloaf is the only ski resort in the East offering lift-serviced, above-treeline skiing. At 4,237 feet, it features New England's longest continuous vertical drop at 2,820 feet and over 1,360 skiable acres.

Is Carrabassett Valley only a winter destination?

No, Carrabassett Valley is a four-season resort town. Summer and fall offer golf, mountain biking, hiking, and trail running, while the Maine Huts & Trails system provides year-round backcountry adventures.

Why was Carrabassett Valley incorporated as a town?

In 1971, residents of Jerusalem Township voted to incorporate as Carrabassett Valley to better manage growth and services around the rapidly expanding Sugarloaf ski resort, making it Maine's youngest town.