Introduction to Bethelby FROMMER'SNovember 20, 2006 Until recently, Bethel was a sleepy resort town with one of those family-oriented ski areas that seemed destined for extinction. But then the Sunday River ski area was bought and dusted off by a brash young entrepreneur, who turned it into one of New England's most vibrant and challenging ski destinations. With the rise of Sunday River, the white-clapboard town of Bethel (located about 7 miles from the ski area) has been dragged into the modern era, though it hasn't (yet) taken on the artificial, packaged flavor of many other New England ski towns. The village (pop. 2,500) is still defined by the stoic buildings of the respected prep school Gould Academy, the broad village common, and the Bethel Inn, a sprawling, old-fashioned resort that's managed to stay ahead of the tide by adding condos without losing its pleasant, timeworn character. (read article)
Deep in the Maine Woods, a Giantby BILL PENNINGTONJanuary 09, 2009With 668 skiable acres across eight peaks, Sunday River in central Maine is the Northeast’s second-biggest resort.(read article)