Things to do / Travel Guide
Address:Camden, Maine
Tel:
(207) 236-3438
Home to the National Toboggan Championships, Camden Snow Bowl is one of the most interesting ski resorts around due to its views of the Atlantic Ocean, where the mountain literally meets the ocean's edge. The smell of the salty air forms an interesting mixture with the cold blowing in one's face and the chill in the atmosphere. Located in Penobscot Bay, Camden Snow Bowl's 1300 foot summit has 10 named trails, a glades area to explore, and numerous cross-country and snowshoe paths. It also offers snow tubing, an ice skating area, and a 400 foot toboggan chute for those with less than Olympic aspirations to try out.
Closed on Mondays, except during holidays and vacation weeks, Camden Snow Bowl is open daily from Tuesday through Saturday from 10am until 7pm and has a season that stretches from December through March. Two beginner, six intermediate, and two advanced slopes snake their way down a 850 foot vertical drop to the four chairlifts at the bottom waiting to whisk guests back up the mountain again and again. A small terrain park is serviced by a T-bar chairlift, and includes small rails and boxes to play with.
Reservations are highly recommended for lessons given at Camden Snow Bowl's Ski School. The "Anklebiters" for 3 to 5 year olds, and "Stump Jumpers/Kats," for 4 to 7 years olds, are quite popular with not only the kids but the parents as well, as they offer a guided and supervised introduction and skill building experience to skiing and snowboarding. There are adult "lunch and lesson" packages for beginners, "Park Rats" snowboarding clinics, women's only groups, and mixed gender group lessons all available at low prices.
Lift tickets are sold in day, half day, daily, and weekend/holiday prices for adults, juniors, and students from ages 13 to 18. Older students needn't feel left out though, as college students also get a discount until the age of 22as long as they show a valid school identification card. There are beginner packages which include a lift pass, lesson, and rental. The "Long Lunch Break" is for skiers or snowboarders looking only for a short 2 hour midweek jaunt onto the slopes, but want to be back in the office or home in time for dinner or the aforementioned lunch. Rentals are available for day, half day, and nighttime only usages, in either packages or individual pieces.
Fresh lobster and native seafood, along with sandwich and pizza joints, speckle the town of Camden, known as "The Jewel of the Maine Coast," as well as Asian and Indian cuisines for variety. From small, cozy restaurants to rowdy family style eating establishments, Camden has somewhere to fill your stomach up fast. There are various sleeping arrangements available including bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, cottages, private rentals, and small motels. Check out the many artisan shops, galleriesb and other activities offered in Camden to help round out your skiing adventure this season.
From its humble beginnings as a community ski center, opened in the "Great Depression" to reward the town's workers for everything they did, to the still community owned and friendly ski area it is today, Camden Snow Bowl is, and should be, high on the priority list for a Maine based ski vacation this winter.