In any corporate event, the experience matters just as much as the work and the relaxation. And nowhere in Maine offers an ambiance quite like Sky Lodge.

Sky Lodge is a rustic getaway that invokes the call of the wild. Tucked in the Moose River Valley, it encompasses over 150 acres. The outdoor oasis welcomes groups to escape the office, experience unforgettable adventures, and reconnect with nature.

Sky Lodge is owned and operated by Unity College, a higher education institution with a unique emphasis on environmental stewardship. The resort is two hours from the main college campus and 25 miles from the Canadian border.

Groups seeking a Western retreat experience—without the often-high price tag—can satisfy both desires at Sky Lodge. Unity College President Melik Khoury says, “If you look at pricing of similar places in Wyoming and Montana, for example, we are about half the price.”

Trending Up: Higher Ed Venues and Additional Revenue Streams

Khoury says that Sky Lodge enhances Unity College’s revenue stream as a full-service resort and is also woven into the student curriculum. It’s just one example of how higher education organizations are using their venues more entrepreneurially.

“We use Sky Lodge for educational endeavors, like our sustainable business and eco-tourism programs, freshman experiences, and community-based learning,” Khoury said. “It’s part of the college, and students have access to it. But it also further enhances the revenue stream. It’s a dual operating system.”

This isn’t uncommon anymore—various higher education organizations are creating revenue in similar fashions: Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They, for example, own The Hotel at Kirkwood Center, which is a luxury hotel open to the public and operated by students in its hospitality program.

Similarly, Unity College students will be involved in the operations of Sky Lodge.

“We see Sky Lodge as a significant opportunity for all students in all majors, but especially those in our newest major, Sustainable Business Enterprise. Students will not only study how to run a business, but they will actually get to do it,” explained Khoury in a release in 2018 following the donation of Sky Lodge to Unity College.

Experiences for Every Attendee

Outdoor enthusiasts will revel in the expanse of offerings at Sky Lodge. The property is home to museums and hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.

“We do snowmobiling, white-water rafting, and hiking,” Khoury said, naming off just a few of the unique teambuilding options available on the property. “We have an adventure program so we can teach cross-country skiing and fly-fishing.”

Additionally, Sky Lodge is near mountain hiking trails, golf courses, and Moxie Falls—one of the highest falls in New England. The staff can help arrange activities such as hunting, guided hikes, horseback riding, and scenic floatplane excursions with local partners.

For attendees who would rather relax with co-workers over a meal, Sky Lodge opened its restaurant, The Mountain View Dining Room, in January 2020. The venue is open for dinner Thursday-Saturday and for brunch on the weekends.

The Bar & Lounge is also open until 9 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Parties of up to 25 people can reserve the private dining room, and banquet and catering services can be arranged.

Meeting Venues and Accommodations at Sky Lodge

Sky Lodge includes a Prohibition-era former huntsman and fishing cabin, as well as a 7,500-square-foot lodge.

The entire property can host 112 people in the summer and 80 people during fall, winter, and spring. For larger groups, Khoury says Sky Lodge can partner with other lodging providers in the area.

For meeting groups, the property offers four conference spaces. The following capacities are quoted for boardroom style:

• Conference space in the main lodge: Capacity is up to 18. Additional breakout spaces include the lounge, which accommodates 12 people, and the Great Room, which accommodates 20.
• Conference space in the John & Elaine Couri Welcome Center: Can host up to 26
• Moose River Valley Center Conference Room A: Can host up to 50
• Moose River Valley Center Conference Room B: Can host up to 14

Additionally, Khoury pointed to a unique space on the property. “There’s an old runway that’s been transformed into a beautiful green space.” He added that it can be used for outdoor adventure and teambuilding programs, tented events, and wedding ceremonies.

For overnight groups, up to 28 guests can comfortably stay at the lodge. Private groups of eight or more can reserve the lodge. There are a variety of accommodations on the property to choose from:

• Three cabins: Each can comfortably board three people, with three double beds
• “Annex” rooms: Dorm-style spaces that each feature a double bed with a private bathroom and a small porch.
• Three houses:
  • Four-bedroom 1800s Country House
  • Luxury four-bedroom Trails Ends House
  • Secluded Mountain View House

Good to Know Before You Go

How to Get to Sky Lodge

Sky Lodge is also about a 20-minute drive from the Canadian border, located in the town of Moose River, Maine. The resort is 54 miles from the main Unity College campus—a two-hour drive.

Bangor International Airport is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive. Portland and New Gloucester, Maine, are also within driving distance, roughly 3 hours away.

How Far in Advance Should I Book?

Khoury recommends a three-month advance notice for corporate groups or large bookings of 20 or more people. Weddings should be booked at least one year out.

What’s the Best Time of Year for Groups?

High season varies widely across the different types of groups. Khoury notes that after Sky Lodge’s first year open to corporate groups under Unity College, intrigue has already doubled.

Corporate groups can book the lodge year-round. Some teambuilding activities, such as snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, are weather-dependent.

The Sporting History of Sky Lodge

Sky Lodge was gifted to Unity College in 2017, and officially took over the property on July 1, 2018. The multimillion-dollar gift came from the Couri Foundation and is one of the largest in Unity College’s history.

Prior to its donation, Sky Lodge was owned and operated by Elaine and John Couri of the Couri Foundation. The couple established the foundation in 1988 and used Sky Lodge to host programs for deserving children to connect with nature, programs for seniors, seminars for graduate students, and other services.

Sky Lodge’s story dates to the early 20th century, though it was built in 1929 as a sporting getaway for a New York executive, and then purchased and renamed “Sky Lodge” by two former World War II airmen in the 1940s.

The main lodge has been restored over the past decade to its original state, giving it the makings of memorable corporate and executive retreats. This, while still maintaining its outdoor sporting legacy, has kept it beloved by adventurers through the years.

For New England-based groups looking for a corporate retreat in some of Maine’s most expansive inland wilderness—without sacrificing meeting amenities—Sky Lodge is worth a look.

Connect with Unity College’s Sky Lodge:
(207) 668-2171
https://skylodge.unity.edu