Maine’s Hilarious Holiday Event With Hundreds of Skiing Santas Is Back
Sunday River is bringing back one of their most beloved—and strange—holiday traditions.
For one day, more than 250 fully fledged Santas, beard and all, will descend on Sunday River for a day of Christmas cheer and skiing. As the resort’s event page put it, “No, you’re not hallucinating; this is Santa Sunday.” It sounds like an eggnog-induced fever dream to us, but we’re here for it!
Santa Sunday returns to Sunday River on December 14, 2025.
The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.
The event’s proceeds are donated to The River Fund Maine, which supports youth education and recreation in the Bethel, Maine area. It also benefits the Boyne Forever Foundation, which uses philanthropy and sustainable initiatives to protect mountain ecosystems, support access to food, housing, mental health services, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Not only will participating Santas be supporting a good cause, but they’ll also be given a buddy voucher for a lift ticket.
Those taking part in the event are required to wear a red Santa hat with a white pompom, a red Santa jacket, red Santa pants, and a Santa beard. A photoshoot of all the Santas will take place at 11 am slopeside at South Ridge. Following the photos, the Santas will ride the South Ridge Express and ski down Broadway together.
The buddy voucher will be given to participants in their MyAccount and can be used by the individual or given to a friend between December 15, 2025, and January 31, 2026, excluding Saturdays and vacation weeks. Registration for Santa Sunday is now open on Sunday River’s website and costs $30 per person. Space is limited to the first 300 Santas, so don’t sleep on it!
Related: Return of the Northwest Flow: Multiple Feet Forecasted for Western US Ski Resorts
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