The Best Trails For Cross-Country Skiing in Maine

One XC-llent Winter
Skiing at Sugarloaf Outdoor Center. Photo by Jamie Walter.
By Clark Shepard and the Down East staff

[cs_drop_cap letter=”M” color=”#000000″ size=”5em” ]aine is a cross-country skier’s Shangri-La, and this list of our favorite Nordic destinations proves it. From mountain valleys to rolling farmland to island trails with ocean views, there’s something for everybody in these 300+ miles of trail. (Plus, tips for beginners!)

Prices for passes and rentals are for full days and adults. Check websites for details on children’s rentals, ski-only rentals (no-boots), half-day passes, and more.

New England Outdoor Center

30 Twin Pines Rd., Millinocket; 800-766-7238

♦ 15 miles, groomed
♦ $20 rentals

A lot of topography on this trail network between Millinocket and Baxter State Park — aerobic climbs and exhilarating downhills, punctuated by sweeping views of Katahdin and Millinocket Lake. NEOC’s trails are expertly groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Located right at the trailhead, River Driver’s Restaurant and Pub is a fine place to call it a day, with a full menu, well-stocked bar, and a big old stone fireplace.

Acadia Carriage Roads

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island; 207-288-3340

♦ 45 miles, 30 or so groomed
♦ Free, rentals available in Bar Harbor

John D. Rockefeller Jr. designed these roads (with some help) to maximize MDI’s scenic splendor while minimizing the workload for horses pulling buggies. The result: wide, level trails with gradual inclines and vista after vista of Frenchman Bay, Jordan Pond and the Bubbles, rounded peaks, picturesque stone bridges, and more. Winter tourism is meager on MDI, so it’s a side of Acadia few ever see. Watch for bald eagles and the occasional scampering fox.

Acadia’s groomed carriage roads pass through the park’s famed stone arch bridges, and their gentle grades are great for skiing with little ones. Photos by Benjamin Williamson.

Harris Farm

280 Buzzell Rd., Dayton; 207-499-2678

♦ 25 miles, 20 or so groomed
♦ $20 day pass, $20 rentals

A bucolic, super family-friendly spot in southern Maine, with none-too-challenging trails that wind past barns and pastures, tow-behind pulk sleds for rent, lessons, and a tubing hill. The trails are even dog friendly on weekdays when the snow’s not too soft. For a wholesome après-ski happy hour, grab a couple glass bottles of Harris Farm milk (chocolate? coffee? blueberry? go nuts!) and take a seat in front of the woodstove.

Carter’s XC Ski Center

786 Intervale Rd., Bethel; 207-824-3880

♦ 34 miles, groomed
♦ $15 day pass, $15 rentals

The trail system at Carter’s offers the best of all worlds — expansive flats, winding wooded corridors, and plenty of backcountry downhills. It’s enough to keep skiers of all levels entertained for a long weekend, as are the stunning views of the Mahoosuc and Presidential ranges. When your legs get tired (they will), sidle up to the fire in the passive-solar lodge.

One XC-llent Winter

The Mahoosuc Mountain skyline looms behind the trails at Carter’s in Bethel. Photo by Chris Bennett.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument

North Entrance Gate, off Grand Lake Rd., near Mount Chase; 207-456-6001

♦ 25 miles, 16 or so groomed
♦ Free, no rentals available

Ski in the shadow of 3,551-foot Traveler Mountain and past the rapids and rock formations along the East Branch of the Penobscot River. Maine’s three-and-a-half-year-old national monument might have more moose and lynx than people in it on any given winter day, but the grooming is excellent, and the two free-with-reservation overnight huts are rustic and welcoming (call 207-852-1291 for availability).

Sugarloaf Outdoor Center

3001 Touring Center Rd., Carrabassett Valley; 207-237-6830

♦ 56 miles, groomed
♦ $25 day pass, $25 rentals

If you only know the Loaf for its alpine reputation, the resort’s Outdoor Center will wow you with the most groomed trail mileage of anyplace in Maine — and the most diverse. If you want a few quick, kid-friendly loops, you’ll have plenty to choose from. If you want to mount a quasi-backcountry trip to a remote frozen pond or bust your lungs on a 500-foot climb — well, you can do that too. Bring your skates (or rent a pair) to hit the Olympic-size rink outside the lodge.

Some of the state’s best cross-county ski terrain is in the shadow of Sugarloaf. Photos by Jamie Walter.

Some of the state’s best cross-county ski terrain is in the shadow of Sugarloaf. Photos by Jamie Walter.

Your XC Starter Kit

You’ll need a little gear to hit the trail in comfort and style. Here are the basics.

Skis: Start with a pair of classic touring skis — long, skinny, and light. The classic XC kick-and-glide motion, with skis parallel to one another, is simple and intuitive to learn. (If you’re a first-timer, hold off on skate skis, which are shorter and narrower, made for a more aerobic style of skiing, with planks planted in a V shape.) $150–$500

Poles: Wider baskets on your poles give more traction, but smaller baskets are better for speed. In either case, poles should be roughly shoulder height. $25–$50

Bindings: Unlike alpine (or downhill) skiing, cross-country (or Nordic) leaves your heel free. The easiest binding for beginners is a variety called New Nordic Norm, or NNN, with two ridges that boots simply click into. There are other types, and they’re not interchangeable, so be sure your binding matches your boot. $30–$100

Boots: The ideal boots are flexible for striding and torsionally rigid for turning and stopping. A good ski shop can help you find the most comfortable fit. (It can also sell you, for as little as $350, a kit of boots, poles, and skis with bindings already mounted.) $80–$350

Base layers: In other words, long undies — not the kind with rear flaps, but two pieces of form-fitting, thin, synthetic layers to wick sweat and trap body heat. $50–$100

Mid-layers: Lycra or fleece are both good, though fleece is is easier to peel off if you overheat. $75–$100

Shell: A good soft shell blocks wind and traps body heat, but still breathes. Look to polyester and wool. $150–$300

Hats, gloves, socks, and gaiters: Think layers. A good bet is always wool on top and a thin liner you can strip down to. You don’t need gaiters — nylon ankle wraps, basically — but they’ll keep snow out of your boot. $10–$50

Sunscreen: Yeah, it’s cold and maybe overcast, but that doesn’t stop UV rays, and snowy reflective surfaces don’t help. Lather up. $5

Lip balm: Sun, wind, and sweating in the cold do a real number on those chops. $1

Fanny pack: Among Nordic skiers, believe it or not, these are kind of a cool thing to wear. Pack some small bites for quick energy. $25–$40

Hidden Valley Nature Center

131 Egypt Rd., Jefferson; 207-389-5150

♦ 19 miles, groomed
♦ Free (donation), no rentals available

When the powder flies, midcoast skiers flock to this little-known gem of a preserve, where a tight little trail network weaves among rolling hills and a scatter of small ponds. This is perfect beginners territory. Rent one of three cute cabins or a yurt if you want to make a weekend out of it.

Pineland Farms

15 Farm View Dr., New Gloucester; 207-688-6599

♦ 19 miles, groomed
♦ $18 day pass, $20 rentals

The crown jewel of southern Maine Nordic, Pineland’s 5,000 acres of undulating farmland are impeccably maintained for classic and skate skiing. Trails wind through pastures and gentle hills, and most are beginner friendly. The 4-mile River Loop is a fave, skirting split-rail fences, plunging into deep woods alongside the Royal River, and passing a spiffy log-cabin warming hut. You can also rest up at the sprawling market and cafeteria, where you might enjoy a burger made with beef and cheese from the resident cows.

The terrain at Pineland varies from deep woods to rolling flats, and skiers can take a break in the the warming hut, outdoor center, or cafeteria. Photos by Benjamin Williamson.

Northern Timber Cruisers Clubhouse Trails

Millinocket Rd., 2 miles northwest of downtown Millinocket; 207-723-6203

♦ 20 miles, groomed
♦ Free, no rentals available

The local snowmobile club maintains this hilly trail network of two loops (and a few spurs) that traverse woods, a couple of ponds, and a frozen wetland with postcard views of Katahdin. Four miles out is a cozy A-frame warming hut with a woodstove, and on weekends, skiers rub shoulders with snowmobilers (who have their own trails) over breakfast and lunch at the Timber Cruisers’ clubhouse (try the French toast). Don’t leave without peeping the cool vintage sleds at the adjacent Antique Snowmobile Museum.

 

Rangeley Lakes Trails Center

524 Saddleback Mountain Rd.; 207-864-4309

♦ 35 miles, groomed
♦ $15/half day, $20/full, $20 rentals

At the base of dramatic Saddleback Mountain, a trail system varied enough to attract Nordic skiers, snowshoers, and fat-bikers of all skill levels. Newbies can sign up for lessons, and kids will get a kick out of the 20+ gnome houses scattered throughout the woods. Some dog-friendly trails too.

0015_M_Wilson-Rangeley

Dogs are welcome on some trails at the Rangelely Lakes Trails Center. Photo by Michael D. Wilson.

0015_M_Wilson-Rangeley

Dogs are welcome on some trails at the Rangelely Lakes Trails Center. Photo by Michael D. Wilson.

Nordic Heritage Center

450 Fort Fairfield Rd., Presque Isle; 207-762-6972

♦ 12 miles, groomed
♦ $8 day pass (free with membership), $10 rentals

This Aroostook County Nordic center has hosted World Cup championships and Olympic trials. Former Olympian and renowned trail designer John Morton laid out the trail network (he’s also responsible for the trails at Pineland, the New England Outdoor Center, and the similarly excellent Fort Kent Outdoor Center), big on tight turns and switchbacks — fun and flowy, like a marble run. Lamp-lit night skiing, an in-lodge sauna, and a shooting range for biathlon are among the amenities that set the Nordic Heritage Center apart. Some 20 Olympic and Paralympic athletes who’ve trained here can’t be wrong.

Trails at Oxbow Beer Garden

420 Main St., Oxford; 207-539-5178.

♦ 5 miles, groomed
♦ Free, rentals $18 (Fri–Sun only)

It isn’t a vast trail network at this outpost of Oxbow Brewing Co., the farmhouse-ale purveyors originally out of Newcastle, but the funky little mini-campus occupies the grounds of a former Carter’s XC Ski Center. Grooming is rudimentary and sporadic, but the trails are a nice mix of woods and wetlands, with a warming hut where you can share some suds from the on-site bottle shop. The adjacent restaurant serves wood-fired sourdough pizzas and 16 rotating drafts in a stunningly restored 200-year-old barn, and skiers can warm up there or at the firepit. Portland Gear Hub rents ski setups, snowshoes, and fat bikes, and everybody shares the trails.

 

For skiing, beer, and a hangout vibe, head to Oxford. Photos by Cait Bourgault.

For skiing, beer, and a hangout vibe, head to Oxford. Photos by Cait Bourgault.

How to Get Back Up (With Minimal Embarrassment)

How to get back up
Illustration by Christine Mitchell Adams.

We all fall sometimes. Blame your boot laces. Blame that squirrel that ran out in front of you. Then hold your head high and get yourself vertical again. Here’s how.

1 Drop your Poles: Yeah, it seems like they’d be useful, but trust us — lest you start flailing or rolling over, you’ll want to remove the pointy-tipped sticks from the equation. Set them aside where you can reach them.

2 De-Pretzel Yourself: Depending on the severity of your tumble, you may be pretty crossed up. Straighten your skis and set them flat, pointed across the ski tracks. (If any limbs are facing the wrong way, calmly dial 911.)

3 Bend and Snap: Bring your knees to your chest, with legs spread hip-width apart. With one arm, push your upper body upwards until your shoulders are parallel with the ground.

4 Pole Vault: Now grab your poles and, without looping your wrists through the bands, use them to lift yourself back up into the standing position.

5 Dust off: Your pride, that is, and slide those poles back on you wrists, because you’re ready to go. Onward and upward! Seriously, though, there’s a steep incline ahead.

Illustration by Christine Mitchell Adams.

From the February 2018 issue of Down East. Buy this issue in print!