Child care: The center takes children ages 10 weeks to 5 years. A full day costs $60, a half day is $40 AM and $35 PM; full day with skiing is $73, half day with skiing is $57. Reservations are required; call 207-237-6959.

Child care and children’s programs are far from an afterthought at the Loaf; it is obvious that a positive overall experience for visiting families is the number-one priority. The child care center is conveniently located trailside in Gondola Village, adjacent to the Base Lodge and on the primary on-mountain shuttle route. The facility is sizable, accommodating as many as 82 children, including up to 12 infants and 15 toddlers. Staff members are seasoned, averaging more than 10 years at Sugarloaf. Many of the seasonal employees are students in the early childhood education program at the University of Maine in Farmington. The center is licensed and maintains more staff than required by state law—one care provider for every three infants or four toddlers. Sugarloaf’s spacious child center is staffed by caring and nurturing workers. Some vacationers come here specifically because it is so good.

Children’s lessons: Available for ages 3–14. Mountain Magic is for ages 3–6 get lessons, lift tickets and lunch for $73; a half day without lunch is $57. Rentals are extra. Mountain Adventure is for ages 7–14 pay $65 for a full-day lesson and lunch, and $52 for a half day without lunch; lift tickets and rentals are extra. Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advance. Teens ages 15–18 can join the Mountain Experience clinic program or take adult lessons. Moose Alley is a special kids-and-instructors-only section of the mountain where kids can do some controlled tree skiing.

Mooseketeers — A fun-filled, positive first experience on skis! Willing 3-year olds are introduced to the slopes through special games and personalized instruction in a 45 minute private coaching session (first timers and less experienced skiers), or by joining Mountain Magic for a 1 - 2 hour morning group session (toilet trained three year olds who have skied before). Lunch, snacks, lift ticket, and ski rental equipment are included. Full day $73; half-day $57.

Special activities: Younger children will be thrilled to see one of four mascots in the child care center or skiing with them on-mountain. Amos the Moose, Pierre the Lumberjack, Blueberry the Bear and Lemon the Yellow-Nosed Vole all have fascinating stories behind them. The mountain provides age-appropriate programmed activities almost every night for children ages 5 to 12. Older kids enjoy tubing, snowshoeing or the Antigravity complex, while game, movie and pizza nights appeal to all ages.