Sunday, December 8th

Santas hit the slopes in Maine

The first of 240 skiers and snowboarders fly down a trail at Sunday River in Newry, Maine on Sunday, December 8, 2019 during the mountain's 20th annual Santa Sunday fundraiser. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal via AP)

NEWRY, Maine (AP) - Kris Kringle is clearly comfortable on the snow.

More than 200 fully bedecked Santas took a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to hit the slopes for charity at Sunday River.

The ski resort in Maine hosted the 20th annual "Skiing Santas" event on Sunday.

The right jolly ol' elves on skis and snowboards participated in full holiday garb, including a white beard, red hat and red outfit.

"It's really cool to just see everyone come together," said Cadence Bachelder, 14, who took part in the event.

"It's fun to see all the little kids that are like, 'oh, look it's Santa' ... and wave at them from the lift and say, Merry Christmas," she said.

The event produced a red blur of skiers and snowboarders dashing through the snow, trying to make it downhill without falling or crashing into each other.

The event serves as a festive kickoff to both the holiday season and the skiing season. It raises money for the Sunday River Community Fund, a local charity.

A sea of red from 240 people who dressed up like Santa ride the lift at Sunday River in Newry, Maine Sunday morning, December 8, 2019 during the 20th annual Santa Sunday where they raised $6,200. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal via AP)

Kendall Valente, right, flies down a trail at Sunday River in Newry, Maine on Sunday December 8, 2019 during the 20th annual Santa Sunday where they raised $6,200. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal via AP)

The first of 240 skiers and snowboarders fly down a trail at Sunday River in Newry, Maine on Sunday, December 8, 2019 during the mountain's 20th annual Santa Sunday fundraiser. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal via AP)