CHRISTMAS -- NEWRY, Maine (AP) -- Hundreds of skiers decked out in Santa outfits and beards are hitting the slopes at Maine's Sunday River ski resort.

One of the 250 Santas participating in a fundraising event takes a run at Sunday River Ski Resort, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in Newry, Maine. To qualify for a free lift ticket each Santa had to wear a full red Santa costume, complete with beard, and donate at least $10 to the Bethel Rotary Club's annual drive to provide gifts for the area's needy children. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

The Newry resort says 250 skiers and snowboarders signed up for Sunday's 12th annual Santa Sunday to raise money for the Bethel Rotary Club's annual holiday toy drive. All 250 available spaces filled up in eight minutes on the Sunday River website.

(AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

To participate, the skiers have to show up in a Santa outfit and donate $10 or more to the toy drive. Participants get to ski free for the day while also receiving another lift ticket good through Dec. 16.

The Associated Press
December 4, 2011

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