Best Winter Activities
Embrace the cold! From world-class skiing to cozy dog sledding, here is how to enjoy Maine when the snow flies.
Skiing at Sugarloaf
The 'King of Spring' offers the only lift-serviced above-treeline skiing in the East. With 1,240 acres of terrain, it's a massive mountain experience.
View Town InfoSnowmobiling in The County
Ride over 2,300 miles of groomed trails (the ITS system) through vast potato fields and forests. It's widely considered the best trail riding in the East.
View Town InfoDog Sledding
Mush your own team of huskies through the North Woods. Trips range from hour-long jaunts to multi-day expeditions.
View Town InfoIce Fishing
Rent a heated ice shack (bobhouse), drill a hole, and fish for lake trout (togue) and salmon while playing cribbage on the ice.
View Town InfoNational Toboggan Championships
Watch teams race down a 400-foot icing chute onto a frozen pond at speeds up to 40mph. A festive, costume-filled February tradition.
View Town InfoCross-Country Skiing
World-class Nordic trails that have hosted World Cup biathlon events. Reliable snow and impeccable grooming make it a mecca for skinny skis.
View Town InfoWhen the snow flies, Maine transforms. The crowds disappear, the air turns crisp and clear, and the landscape becomes a quiet wonderland of white. Mainers don’t hide inside; they strap on skis, snowshoes, and snowmobile helmets.
Embrace the Cold
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” This is the Maine mantra. With the right layers, winter is exhilarating. Sunday River and Sugarloaf offer world-class alpine skiing. The Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle offers biathlon thrills.
Quiet Adventures
For a slower pace, snowshoeing in a silent forest or ice fishing on a frozen lake offers a meditative connection to nature. And afterward? There’s always a woodstove, a hot drink, and the cozy feeling of having survived another day in the north.
Explore More of Maine
Looking for more inspiration? Browse our full directory of towns or explore by region.