winter trail activities
With spectacular seasonal snowfall reaching 6 to 7 feet, nothing beats Maine’s Lakes and Mountains for a winter full of adventure on the trails. Think about how delightful it is to pull on your warm woollies and head out into drifts of pure white snow.
The cross-country ski centers, trail systems, and winter guide services offer gear and access to miles of trails, where you can discover the majesty of a snow-blanketed forest and the wonder of a bright-white expanse of meadow.
If you’d like to break trail on your own, visit one of our State Parks or public reserved lands, where the land is open to public access. If you know you want to ski or snowshoe, but don’t know where to start, contact a Maine Professional Guide for help in creating a memorable experience.
Nordic Skiing
On a crisp, sparkling winter day, one of the best ways to take in Maine’s Lakes and Mountains snowy landscape is to venture out on cross-country skis. There are nearly two dozen commercial cross-country touring centers across the region that offer beautiful well-groomed trails totaling more than 300 miles for both traditional and skating style. We invite you to discover the majesty of a snow-blanketed forest and the wonder of a bright-white expanse of meadow.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing enthusiasts have options lots of options here. With over 250-miles of groomed trails across the region (that’s over a month of shoeing at 6 to 7 miles per day), we offer a perfect opportunity to let this sport take hold of you. Get outdoors and experience pine-scented air, the dappled wintery sun on your back and a hot tasty meal with new friends back in town at the end of each day.
Top Winter Trail Centers
Inland Woods & Trails
The Winter Trails Center is located at The Bethel Resort and Suites—formerly the Bethel Inn. They offer a full rental fleet for skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking and will happily assist you with what equipment is best for your adventure. Lessons for beginner and intermediate skiers are avaialble–choose a group, private lesson, or join one of our clinics.
Operated by Inland Woods & Trails, the network cross-country ski, snowshoe, and fat biking trails in the winter and mountain biking trails in the summer. The network provides recreation on the outskirts of Bethel Village, close to area businesses and not far from other IWT trail networks.
Pineland Farms
Pineland Farms, located in the charming small town of New Gloucester, has over 5,000 acres of beautiful woodlands and fields that are open to the public for outdoor recreation, including approximately 18 miles of professionally designed, well-kept trails for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Time it right and join a Full Moon trail event.
The farm also offers a full calendar of events, Farm Market filled with locally sourced goods, several lodging options on site, and Family Farm Visits. For those who are not skiers or shoers, there is sledding ice skating, and winter disc golf. This is truly a winter fun wonderland.
Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
Set on lower Saddleback Mountain, the Trails Center boasts 35 miles of immaculately groomed loop trails, a minimum of 14 feet wide, providing skating lanes and classic tracks on all sections, in addition to many miles of snowshoeing, fat-tire bike and backcountry trails. Some of the groomed trails even welcome dogs. All offer stunning views of the Saddleback range and beyond.
A 30-foot-round yurt serves as a lodge where ski rentals, wax, waxing benches, clothing, hot drinks, and tempting snacks are available. Take a lesson or enjoy a guided tour, races, and other recreational events. Kids will love the Gnome Home Roam.
other winter trail Centers
Ways to Adventure
On the trail
skiing
With some of the best ski resorts in the east, Maine’s Lakes and Mountains is wicked fun once the snow flies. Our endless slopes, and awesome verticals will keep you on the trails all winter.
On the trail
snowboarding
With smaller mountains to inspire and some of the best ski resorts in the east, Maine’s Lakes and Mountains’ terrain parks and awesome verticals will keep you on the trails all winter.
On the trail
fat Biking
If you love mountain biking and winter, fat biking might be your new favorite sport. Fat bikes use huge, grippy tires that allow riders to take to trails typically used by snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.
On the trail
Nordic Skiing
On a crisp, sparkling winter day, one of the best ways to take in Maine’s Lakes and Mountains snowy landscape is to venture out on cross-country skis.
On the trail
snowshoeing
Snowshoeing enthusiasts have options lots of options here. With over 250-miles of groomed trails across the region
On the trail
snowmobiling
With over near-endless miles of groomed trails maintained by local riding clubs, you’ll always find new places to explore amid the incredible scenery, fragrant pine forests, and wide-open plains.
Eat and Drink
Beer Trail
With hundreds (maybe thousands) of miles of hiking, biking, and ski trails and just as many watering holes, Maine’s Lakes and Mountains has welcomed the national craft beer love affair with open arms.
Eat and Drink
Dining
There are great places to eat around every turn. You’ll find exactly what you’re craving; whether it’s iconic Maine lobster with drawn butter or an espresso coupled with a chocolate croissant
Plan Your Trip
Maine’s Lakes and Mountains offers a variety of resources to help you plan your next visit, including an annual visitor’s guide, stand alone map, and the new Adventure Guide App.
Visitor's Guide
Our Free Visitor's Guide will help inspire your next adventure along our mountain trails, lakes, scenic byways, bustling towns and more.
Map of the Region
Companion to the Visitor Guide, our dual-sided planning map will help you find your way to adventure in every season throughout the region.
Adventure Guide App
The App will point the way to all kinds of adventures, experiences and destinations in Maine’s Lakes and Mountains with GPS location maps and alerts.
