Outdoor Winter Recreation in Maine

Skiing & Snowboarding

For downhill skiing and snowboarding, Maine has more than a dozen ski areas in the Western Mountains with plenty of powder and trails for all skill levels, including Sunday River, Sugarloaf (home to snowboarder and Olympic Gold Medalist Seth Wescott) and newly revamped and reopened Saddleback Mountain. Plus, there are plenty family-friendly and affordable mountains, like the Camden Snow Bowl, which is also home to one of the world’s best toboggan runs.

Cross-Country Skiing

If the quiet glide of cross-country skiing is your idea of heaven, Maine has you covered. Especially Aroostook County, which could be considered the cradle of Maine cross-country skiing. Check out Aroostook’s Fort Kent Outdoor Center and the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle for comfortable lodging, clean trails and easy rentals. But there are tons of outfitters and cross-country skiing facilities across the state to help you hit the trail.

Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking

Who said hiking stops when winter starts? Maine’s many state parks, land trusts and Acadia National Park provide the perfect, easily accessible settings to strap on pair of snowshoes and head out into the woods or up to a snowy summit. Some of the most popular spots include Mount Blue State Park, Bradbury Mountain State Park and the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.

Snowmobiling in Maine

We take snowmobiling seriously in Maine. With more than 14,000 miles of groomed trails, you can ride uninterrupted from one end of the state to the other and all sorts of places in between. Trail towns from Bethel and Rangeley to Jackman, Greenville, Millinocket and Madawaska have gas stations, lunch stops and nearly 300 snowmobiling clubs that maintain the local trails.

Fat Tire Biking

Take two-wheeled fun to another level on fat biking trails across the state. Not only does The Rangeley Lakes Trail Center  boast fat biking trails, it offers options for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing so the whole crew is happy. Maine’s Lakes and Mountains region hosts plenty of outfitters to get you in the saddle and out on the trails.

Dogsledding

Saying just one word has never quite had such thrilling results: Mush! With various dogsledding tours throughout the state, it’s time to meet some new furry friends and experience one of the most exciting ways to traverse Maine’s beautiful winter landscapes.

Winter Wildlife Watching in Maine

While some animals hibernate, Maine wildlife watchers don’t. And you shouldn’t either. Once the leaves fall, Maine’s wildlife is much easier to spot. Winter residents like black-capped chickadees, juncos, cedar and bohemian waxwings are favorites and you can join in the Christmas Bird Count throughout the state. Other animals are frequently spotted as well, including moose, fox and lynx.