Winter in Aroostook County comes early and stays late. Northern Maine sees snow for seven months out of the year. When you are surrounded by cold and white for more than half the year, it makes sense to learn to love skiing, skating, and other winter outdoor recreation.
Luckily there are a number of places for such activities in Aroostook County. These are a few of my family’s favorites. Let’s hear about your favorites in the comments.
1.
I’ll start with this lovely new trail network located right in my hometown.
Stockholm Landing & Trails includes a network of 5 miles of trails for multi-season use. Some of the trails are groomed for nordic skiers and all of the trails are suitable for snowshoers.
The Tower Trail, which leads to the Stockholm Fire Tower, has a moderate incline for those looking for a challenge.
If you’re looking for a place to bring your pup along, this is a great option. Just keep him leashed and pick up after him.
Near the Stockholm Landing & Trails parking area is a newly built ice skating rink. My family is sure looking forward to lacing up our skates!
Located nearby the ITS 83 snowmobile trail, Stockholm Landing & Trails provides a place for snowmobilers to leave their trucks and trailers while they enjoy Maine’s wilderness.
Find out more information on Stockholm Landing and Trails’ Facebook page.
If you are visiting Stockholm between Thursday and Sunday be sure to stop at Eureka Hall Restaurant for a scrumptious supper.
If you’re looking for gas and food to go instead, Andersons Store has groceries, gas, and delicious baked goods.
Stockholm Maine is a quaint little village if ever there was one!
2.
A bit farther north, Four Seasons Trail Association in Madawaska offers skiing and snowshoeing adventures and more.
With 14km of nordic ski trails, 12km of snowshoe trails, a kid’s terrain park, sliding hill, and ski through tunnel, Four Seasons is sure to make for a fun adventure.
Parking is at the lodge on Spring Street in Madawaska where you can rent skis or snowshoes if needed.
Use of the trails is free, but membership is encouraged.
Check out their website for more information!
3.
The Fort Kent Outdoor Center maintains an extensive network of trails for nordic skiing and snowshoeing at its Tenth Mountain facility.
Nonmembers pay an affordable daily trail fee to use the trails.
Come as a spectator at this fantastic facility to Biathlons and Skijoring events!
This is truly a world class venue.
Here’s a link to their website for further information.
4.
If alpine skiing and snowboarding are more your speed, then check out neighboring Lonesome Pines Trails.
This nonprofit facility grooms alpine trails for skiers of all abilities.
There’s a half pipe and grind rail for freestyle.
You can even take the T-bar to the top and return to the lodge on the nordic trails.
Visit their website for further information.
5.
Fort Kent has a wealth of outdoor recreational facilities, this includes an ice skating rink on Pleasant Street – complete with skate rentals.
Ice skating is a fun family activity and great exercise.
If you’re new to skating, a lawn chair turned around backwards makes a good skating aid to keep you on your feet.
6.
Another family favorite is Quoggy Jo Ski Center in Presque Isle.
It features a T bar ski lift, ski rentals and a handful of beginner and intermediate alpine trails.
Non skiing parents will enjoy good views of their skier while staying warm inside the lodge.
7.
Right next to Quoggy Jo is the Nordic Heritage Center, also in Presque Isle.
The Nordic Heritage Center is another world class biathlon venue featuring four seasons of fun.
In the wintertime, there are 20km of nordic ski trails, snowshoe trails, and fat bike trails.
Visit their website for more information.
8.
Big Rock Mountain in Mars Hill is the largest alpine ski venue in Aroostook County.
Visit Big Rock for alpine skiing and snowboarding and tubing fun.
Big Rock provides skiing and snowboarding rentals and lessons.
There are dozens of trails for skiers of all skill levels.
Check out all they have to offer on their website.
9.
The Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge has more than 5 miles of easy nordic ski trails and snowshoe trails available to use for free. More information can be found here.
Your dog is welcome here too, just be sure to keep her on a leash and pick up after her.
There’s a wildlife viewing blind a short distance from the parking area and a warming hut about halfway through.
You may luck out and see some wild animals in their natural habitat.
Be sure to observe them safely from a distance.
10.
Ahh, the 10th place on the list.
It is simply our own backyard.
Or any park nearby.
If the snow packs together just right, we make a snowman.
These are also the right conditions for epic snowball fights and fort making.
When the snow is fresh and light, we lie down and make snow angels.
Anytime is a good time to find a hill and make a sliding path.
It might be slow going at first, especially if the snow is deep.
And I start to think it’s more work than fun.
But then, just when I am all tired out from trudging back up the hill, I’ll sit on that sled, and push off, and soar down the hill farther and faster than the last time and for just a moment, I’ll be 10 again.
Then I’ll lay there at the bottom of the hill and catch that falling snowflake on my tongue.
Partly because I can’t get up until I catch my breath.
Winter in northern Maine can be long, but there’s lots of fun to be had in the snow.
And we didn’t even talk about snowmobiling and ice fishing!
So bundle up warm, make sure you have hot chocolate in your cupboard, and head outside for some fresh air!
Heather Mladek is a freelance writer and photographer helping businesses and entrepreneurs connect with their customers, build credibility, and generate more leads by writing engaging content for blogs, websites, and other social media platforms.
Contact her at Heather@MadLakeCreativeInk.com to discuss how she can help your business.