While when you think of vacation in Maine, you might think beaches and boats- the Vacationland state doesn’t end there. Winter shares a side of Maine that shouldn’t be missed. We are surrounded with snow-swept woods for snowshoers, land trusts and parks for cross-country skiing, snow-covered trails for bikers, hikers and winter nature enthusiasts, mountains for skiing and snowboarding and rinks to skate on. Did I mention snow tubing and sledding? Not just for kids. We know how to have fun in the winter!
I picked out a few of my favorite places to venture during the Winter season. I’d love to hear from you – where you go, what you do, so we can share with others what our state has to offer during Winter months.
Pineland Farms, New Gloucester ME
Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing & Fat Tire Biking, Sledding & Skating
Pineland has over 5,000 acres of beautiful woodlands and fields that are open to the public for year-round outdoor activities. Enjoy 30 kilometers of professionally designed, well-kept trails for fat biking, walking, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. They also offer orienteering, dry-land Nordic ski training, sledding and ice skating. https://pinelandfarms.org/recreation/
Harris Farm, Dayton ME
Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing & Fat Biking
Forty kilometers of trails ramble across the open fields and sheltered forests of our 600-acre dairy and vegetable farm. Trails range from gentle beginners’ loops to rolling terrain for more advanced skiers. Thirty kilometers are groomed with wide skating lanes and thirty-five kilometers are track set http://www.harrisfarm.com/x-c-skiing.html
Scarborough Land & Trust, Scarborough ME
Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing, Watchable wildlife, Birdwatching
Pick a trail to venture on: Pleasant Hill Preserve, Blue Point Preserve, Broadturn Farm, Fuller Farm, Sewell Woods or Warren Woods! https://scarboroughlandtrust.org/
Smiling Hill Farm, Scarborough ME
Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing
In the winter, Smiling Hill Farm operates an extensive cross country skiing operation. Just minutes from Portland, skiers can spend less time driving and more time skiing on their approximately 25 kilometers of groomed trails around the picturesque and historic Smiling Hill Farm. Trails are groomed to allow classical tracked skiing. http://www.smilinghill.com/
Eastern Trail, Scarborough ME
Cross Country Skiing, Snow Shoeing, Fat Tire Biking, Watchable wildlife, Birdwatching
This off-road section of the Eastern Trail offers over 8 miles of flat easy trails connecting Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Scarborough. The northern end of this section traverses the Scarbrough Marsh providing scenic views and wildlife watching. https://www.mainetrailfinder.com/trails/trail/eastern-trail-saco-to-scarborough
Saco Bay Trails, Saco ME
Snow Shoeing, Watchable wildlife
Pick a trail to venture on: Horton Woods, Sylvan, Middle Goosefare, Atlantic Way, Ferry Landing, Ted Wells Memorial Trail or Cascade Fall (closest waterfall to OOB). https://www.sacobaytrails.org/
Bradbury Mountain State Park, Pownal ME
Birdwatching, Cross-country skiing, Hiking (trails), Fat Tire biking, Self-guided trail, Snowshoeing, Watchable wildlife
Bradbury Mountain State Park is a wonderful place to spend a day or afternoon exploring trails and taking in the magnificent view from the summit. Situated on Route 9 about halfway between Portland and Lewiston-Auburn, the park attracts visitors who enjoy 800 acres of forested land. Bradbury Mountain is the only state park in southern Maine to offer shared-use trails for horseback riders, mountain bikers and snowmobilers. Snow shoe rentals are available. https://www.bradburymountain.com/
Powderhouse Hill Ski Area, South Berwick ME
Skiing, sledding (calling all beginners)
This nice hill in Southern Maine is a perfect place for all ages to learn. Tickets are still just 5 bucks for all ages (cash only please bring small bills). Unfortunately they do not rent equipment you have to bring your own.
The sledding hill next door is always open and there is no charge for it. You have to bring your own sled and you have to walk up the hill. http://www.powderhousehill.com/?fbclid=IwAR0hf7gJSYMyR4KJGzMJfpX2HFGY4tWdo1_v0hQ-K9Al8B-wC0Vn4_3t8vo
Lost Valley, Auburn ME
Skiing, snowboarding
Come Out and Play! Lost Valley’s variety of 30 trails and 2 terrain parks offer a full and interesting ski day for skiers of all abilities. Most of Lost Valley’s trails are rated easiest and intermediate while challenging expert skiers with a few difficult trails. Family regrouping is simple as all trails come together a short distance from each other. The Slopeside Grill Serves up delicious pub style foods and the full bar features many microbrews on draft. It is also the home of Lost Valley Brewing Company. https://www.lostvalleyski.com/
Shawnee Peak, Bridgton ME
Skiing, snowboarding
This ski area offers over 40 trails, 7 glades, 3 terrain parks and snowmaking on 98% of their terrain. They are the longest operating ski resort in Maine. Whether you’re an old-schooler or newcomer to the mountain they offer a great family-friendly atmosphere, night skiing, rental equipment, and a fantastic ski and ride program to get you and your crew on the snow and having fun. After all, fun is what we’re all about! https://www.shawneepeak.com/
Seacoast Adventure Fun Park, Windham ME
Snowtubing
Seacoast Snow Park is open for snow tubing on weekends and holidays beginning December 26. With many downhill runs, snow tubin’ has never been this fun! Our express lift gets you to the top in less than 3 minutes – for more intense tubin’ time! Tube down over 2 football fields with 90 foot drops. With 100% Snowmaking – it’s guaranteed family fun all winter long! https://www.seacoastadventure.com/
The Rink at Thompson’s Point, Portland ME
Ice-skating
Join them for their 7th season down at The Point! The Rink at Thompson’s Point will open again on December 10, 2021! Enjoy your skating experience with up to 10,000 sq. ft. of ice surface. Enjoy special events and themed nights of ice-skating fun, check out their calendar and Facebook page for events coming up. https://www.thompsonspoint.com/
Lee Twombly Pond Skating Center, Falmouth Ice Center, Falmouth ME
Ice-skating
The Lee Twombly Pond Skating Center at FIC was constructed as a gift from the Twombly family to Family Ice Center and the Southern Maine community as a permanent testimony to Lee Twombly’s love of skating and giving to others.
The pond is refrigerated and open from early December through late February, weather permitting, from 10 AM until 8 PM for public skating. Thanks to our generous sponsors, POND SKATING IS FREE FOR ALL! https://www.familyice.org/lee-twombly-pond
