Things to do / Travel Guide
Winter in Maine is a sight to see; from white, cold, ocean sprays shooting up on rocks, to snow covered seaside ports, to small fishing towns straight out of the movies with lights up and down their main streets, Maine is a winter wonderland. As winter is the longest season in Maine, sometimes running from as early as October to mid-March, there is plenty of time to explore the many different regions and ski resorts offered for the pleasure of the discerning skier and snowboarder.
Skiing in and around Bethel
As home to the largest snowman in the world, standing proudly at 113 feet and 7 inches, Bethel and the surrounding areas certainly do not lack for snow, as shown by the “leftovers” to build the snowman. Rest assured though that most of the snow is blanketing the area ski resorts and is just waiting to be explored.
Mount Abram has some mighty big shoes to fill as the often times very crowded Sunday River Resort is located just up the road. However, perhaps because of that, Mount Abrams is actually a little slice of local heaven. While Sunday River is taking the brunt of the skiing traffic and its crowds, many people prefer to zoom up and down the 44 trails at Mount Abrams rather than wait on Sunday River lift lines. Given the distinction of a “Little Gem” by SKI Magazine, its 4 terrain parks, glades, bumps, cross country trails, and largest snow tubing park in Maine, make Mount Abram's title a well deserved one.
Nestled in the Longfellow Mountains is Black Mountain ski resort, which focuses on family fun and learning. 20 trails offer a mixture of wide, beginner trails that span the mountain's perimeter along with nice steep drops for the experts in the crowd. There is also a small terrain park and half pipe for those on a single board. Black Mountain's 15 miles of cross country trails were designed by a two-time Olympian, so you can see that Black Mountain goes that extra step for customer satisfaction.
Slopeside or rustic lodgings, and from cabins and budget motels to luxury accommodations, there is something for everyone's budget and comfort level. Try the Boardwalk Inn with their private suites, private entrances, and continental breakfast, or the historic Gideon Hastings House which was built in 1848 and offers modernized rooms, some of which come with whirlpools. Perhaps a resort is more to your taste? Bethel Inn Resort offers 150 rooms, a spa, and a health club. There are 30 plus restaurants to choose from for filling up an empty stomach and satisfying the sweetest of teeth in the bunch. Mouse and Bean Internet Café has the local “buzz” (pun intended) with strong coffee, sold by the cup or the pound, and homemade food like Mom used to make, assuming your mom was a really top notch cook. Suds Pub offers the largest assortment of draft beers, with 29 on tap, and a wide range of soups, salads, pizzas and pastas, with which to end the night off just right.
Skiing in and around Auburn
Environmentally inclined riders will be pleased to hear that Shawnee Peak Ski area is now 100% carbon neutral. They have even planted an extra 675 trees in their territory to help cool the planet down and provide guests with a more “green” ski area. All that aside, Shawnee Peak has 44 wonderful trails and glades to discover. A majority of the trails are intermediate range, but beginners have an area set aside for them as well. Snowboarders have 2 terrain parks, as well as a 400 foot long halfpipe to catch some air off throughout the day.
A short half an hour from Shawnee Peak is the little ski area known as Eaton Mountain, offering 12 trails spread over 130 acres of terrain. Eaton also has a small terrain park to offer snowboarders. Lost Valley is another small mountain to explore, located on the outskirts of Auburn itself. With 15 trails, and only a 495 foot summit, this isn't exactly the largest ski area on the map, but they pride themselves in their pristine scenery with 15 alpine and 15km of cross-country trails, as well as a small terrain park. Warm up by their stone fireplace and sip a hot chocolate, as you watch the snow fall outside the window.
Since 1938, Titcomb Mountain has been known as the “friendliest mountain around,” and remains so to this day. Their 15 trails offer some spectacular scenery and, while there is no specific terrain park, there is a terrain “trail” which features spines, boxes, and some jumps. Cross-country skiers will love the 15.4km selection of groomed and ungroomed runs on the outside of the perimeter.
Know as the “City of Opportunity” by the residents and mayor, Auburn welcomes visitors with warm accommodations, terrific food, and historical interest sites. The Hilton Garden Inn entices guests with their whirlpool, spacious rooms, and restaurant onsite, while the Resort and Inns at Poland Springs have 3 inns and 11 cottages with single rooms, junior and king suites, and their historic inn built in 1974. Those famous water springs, which have been bottled and sold all over the United States, are close to the grounds of the inn, making for a stunning nature walk. There are an additional 10 choices of hotels, motels, and B&Bs in the surrounding towns of Lewiston and Poland Springs to pick from. Hunger is not an option with over 50 selections of eateries around. Bagels and Things offers fresh bagels, omelettes, and homemade pastries to start the day off right. When the sun goes down, try heading over to Gritty McDuff's Brewing Company for their fresh brewed draft beers and large selection of pub food.
Opportunity is knocking….head on over to Auburn and answer its winter call.
Skiing in and around the Carrabasset Valley and Moosehead Lake
With the most continuous vertical drop in New England, Sugarloaf Ski Mountain boasts 2,820 feet with 54 acres spread underneath its formidable peak. 133 trails, and various glades, offer skiers and snowboarders a chance to explore to their hearts content. Snowboard Gold Medalist Seth Wescott has his home base at Sugarload, and it's no wonder, considering their superpipe and 2 terrain parks, that Olympians and thrill seekers alike can get their kicks at Sugarloaf. Sugarloaf's nearby village, with its hotels, restaurants, skate park, and more, give guests no reason to leave even after the trails shut down, unless they are in search of cheaper accommodations.
A smaller vertical drop, though not by much, coming in at 2000 feet, awaits riders at Saddleback Ski Mountain in Madison. 60 trails with multiple glades areas span out into 400 acres of terrain, not counting the additional 40km dedicated to cross-country trails. A twist at this ski area is their having the beginner trails higher up in elevation to give beginners a taste of that big mountain skiing feeling. Riders are still safe within the wide, smooth trails, but can experience what they'll get to enjoy on most mountains once they've honed their skills enough to take the tougher trails. Freestylers and snowboarders have their own terrain park and trails to the top of Saddleback's arsenal in the winter months.
Mount Katahdin, near Moosehead Lake, is Maine's highest point, and forms the backdrop of scenery for riders at Big Squaw Ski. 33 trails with virtually no crowds are broken up into two mountains; the upper and lower sections respectively. The lower mountain caters to beginner and intermediate riders while the upper mountain has steep, narrow runs and expansive glades, for more advanced patrons. Big Squaw's terrain park and glades were designed by pro-snowboarders, making for top notch riding. Plenty of backcountry trails are available for cross-country, telemark, snowshoeing and snowmobiling adventurers.
“From here on out, your life will never be the same” is the tagline given by the Carrabasset Valley's Chamber of Commerce, and they just may very well be right. Carrabasset Inn is located only 5 minutes from Sugarloaf Resort, and is family oriented, while the Maine Huts and Trails are perfect for cross-country and backcountry riders. Historic River Port Inn was built in 1830 and still operates today. There are 30 other choices of private and chain hotels or motels, as well as some lodging options offered by the ski areas themselves. There are also over 20 restaurants on hand to tantalize the taste buds. Mosey on over to the Porter House Restaurant which, you guessed it, serves up hearty porterhouse steaks straight off the grill, as well as pasta or seafood dishes. Wake up, or settle down, after the sun sets at the Orange Cat Café with their chai tea, coffee, and fresh baked goodies to top off your day.
Skiing in and around Newport
Family owned and operated ski area New Hermon is located just 30 minutes away from Newport, but is well worth the small trip to get there. 75 achingly beautiful acres of natural and manmade terrain give access to 21 alpine slopes on which guests can make the most of their winter vacation. Some beginner trails are offered, but the shining jewels are the glades and cliffs available for the advanced riders in the group. There is also a small terrain park offered for snowboarders, who also have access to the rest of the trail system that New Hermon Ski has allocated.
Newport may not be a very big town, but it is a town with a very big heart. Just the names of the two hotels in the town, Lovely's and Pray's, make guests feel welcome before they even enter the door. Visitors with a camper in tow will love Christie's or Sebasticook's Campgrounds, which features a water hookup in addition to the lot itself. Try Hawaiian Paradise restaurant, or perhaps Cervasa's with its Mexican flair, and end it with a sundae from Coaches Ice Creamery, which is creamy enough to put a smile on anyone's face. There are also 13 other restaurants to choose from, including staple fast food restaurants, for a quick bite to eat before heading home.
A long winter season, formidable peaks, endlessly spanning acreage, and Olympians all make their home in Maine. Isn't it about time this season that you pack up the car with skis, snowboards, family, and friends and head northeast to see what you've been missing?
Ski Resorts in Baxter, Moosehead Lake and the Maine North Woods
Skiing
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