10 Fun Things to Do in Maine in Winter
Although summer and fall are among the most popular times to visit Maine, winter is one of the most beautiful seasons!
Maine has a fun winter activity for the entire family to enjoy. You can spend your days skiing among the tallest mountains in Maine, snowmobiling on miles of trails, or enjoying a scenic winter drive. No matter what you do in Maine in winter, you will not be disappointed with the winter activities!
If you want to visit Maine in the winter, you are in the right place. This guide has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Maine in winter.
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Tips for Visiting Maine in Winter
Pack warm clothes. Winters in Maine are cold and snowy, making it crucial to pack warm clothes. The weather in Maine can change quickly, so having the appropriate layers and gear is necessary when exploring. I recommend packing warm boots and multiple layers to prepare for the cold weather. You can learn more about how to layer your clothes in the What to Wear Winter Hiking Guide!
Be careful. Winters in Maine bring many risks, so you must take caution with anything you do and ensure you have the proper equipment and skills for your adventure. If there is ever a situation where you are uncomfortable, please make the safe decision to turn around. There are many tours and guides that you can take to adventure in the White Mountains in winter that provide you with the appropriate gear and have trained guides to ensure your safety.
Buy any tickets in advance. If you plan on skiing, tubing, taking a tour, or anything that includes buying tickets while you are in Maine, I recommend getting them in advance. Typically, you can find the best deals online when you purchase the tickets ahead of time instead of buying them when you arrive. Buying them in advance will also ensure your spot for the activity.
Start your days early. Although winter is not the busiest season in Maine, there will still be crowds. Starting your day early allows you to avoid most crowds and take advantage of the daylight!
Always remember to leave no trace. It’s crucial to pack out what you pack in and leave no trash. Many of these places have trash bins, so you can easily throw your trash away. If they don’t have trash bins, you can throw your trash away at a nearby gas station or convenience store.
Places to Stay in Maine in Winter
Maine is huge, with so many quaint towns to stay in during your trip in the winter. Each town has cozy accommodations and nearby winter activities!
Below are a few places to stay in Maine in the winter, with many winter activities nearby. Each town has cabins, hotels, and inns perfect for a winter getaway.
What to Pack for Maine in Winter
Hiking Boots: If you want comfort and warmth on your trip, you need insulated hiking boots.
Microspikes: If you plan on winter hiking, you will need to bring microspikes.
Snowshoes: Also if you hike in the winter, you may need snowshoes.
Hiking Socks: Having moisture-wicking and comfortable hiking socks are just as important for exploring.
Hiking Backpack: You need something to carry all your food, clothes, and anything else you need while adventuring, so having a supportive hiking backpack is crucial.
Hydration Reservoir/Water Bottles: While hiking or just exploring, it is important to have enough water! I always pack a hydration reservoir.
Jackets: The weather is unpredictable, so I always pack a rain jacket and insulated jacket.
Ten Essentials: The Ten Essentials are crucial for hiking!
The Best Things to Do in Maine in Winter
Maine Winter Scenic Drive
If you love the winter but do not want to do too many outdoor activities, you are in luck. Maine has many stunning scenic drives open year-round, allowing you to enjoy beautiful views in the winter.
And the best part? Maine has winter scenic drives throughout the state! No matter where you stay, whether along the coast or in the mountains, you can find a scenic drive to enjoy.
If you want to enjoy a coastal scenic drive, the Acadia All-American Road and Schoodic National Scenic Byway are perfect for you. These roads are along the northern coast of Maine near Acadia National Park and offer stunning views of the coast, cliffs, and ocean.
If you want to drive through the mountains, Maine has many beautiful winter scenic drives to enjoy. The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway is in the northeast corner of Maine, with mountain views and some of the best snowmobiling in the state. The Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway is in the northwest corner of Maine, offering incredible views of mountains and lakes. It is one of my favorite scenic drives! And it is near beautiful ski resorts and snowmobiling trails.
Each scenic drive has many winter activities nearby, so you can enjoy other things to do along the way. But if you only want to enjoy the views from the warmth of your car, you will not be disappointed! It is one of the best things to do in Maine in winter!
Skiing or Snowboarding
Maine has some of the best ski resorts in New England, so you will not be disappointed with enjoying a fun-filled getaway with skiing or snowboarding. And Maine has ski resorts for all levels! Whether you want to enjoy some of the most strenuous or gradual ski trails, Maine has a ski resort for everyone!
Sugarloaf is Maine’s largest ski resort and is often referred to as the best one in the state. Although it is in a remote area in Maine, it is worth the drive for the stunning ski trails and views! It has over 170 ski trails on 1,300 skiable acres on a 4,237-foot mountain. Sugarloaf is one of the tallest mountains in Maine, so the views are unmatched at the top!
Not too far from Sugarloaf is another large ski resort, Saddleback. Saddleback is also among the tallest mountains in Maine, standing at 4,120 feet, and has trails for all levels along its 600 skiable acres.
Sunday River is another one of the best ski resorts in Maine and is perfect for all levels since it has more beginner and intermediate trails. You can enjoy hitting the slopes on over 50 miles of trails with stunning views overlooking the surrounding mountains.
No matter where you visit in Maine in winter, you can access a ski resort to enjoy a day hitting the slopes!
Cross-Country Skiing
If you would rather cross-country ski, you are in luck! Many of the ski resorts in Maine offer miles of beautifully groomed cross-country ski trails to enjoy. But if you want to find some off-the-beaten-path trails, Maine has plenty to offer.
And the best part? Maine has cross-country ski trails throughout the state, so no matter where you are during your winter getaway, you can enjoy them.
Here are some of the best places to cross-country ski in Maine:
Harris Farm
Acadia National Park Carriage Roads
New England Outdoor Center
Carter’s XC Ski Center
Pineland Farms
Snowshoeing in Maine
Is skiing not your thing? Do not worry! Maine has hundreds of miles of snowshoeing trails to enjoy, making it one of the best things to do in winter. Although most places I mention below have easy snowshoeing trails, it is crucial to wear the proper layers to stay warm. Snowshoeing is one of the best winter activities in Maine, but it still poses risks if you are unprepared.
Here are some of the best places to snowshoe in Maine:
Acadia National Park Carriage Roads
Pineland Farms
Bradbury Mountain State Park
Camden Hills State Park
New England Outdoor Center
Sugarloaf Outdoor Center
Winter Fat Biking
Fat biking is one of the lesser-known winter activities in Maine, but it is fun! Fat bikes are essentially mountain bikes with thick tires, allowing you to ride on snowy trails. It is a fun winter activity for the entire family to enjoy! A few of my favorite places to fat bike in the winter are Sugarloaf, Pineland Farms, and Maine Huts & Trails.
Snowmobiling
Maine has some of the best snowmobiling trails in New England, so if you love snowmobiling, you will not be disappointed. Although many towns around Maine offer snowmobiling trails, Rangeley and Jackman have some of the best!
Rangeley receives an average of 200 inches of snow each year and has the best snowmobile trail system in Maine. The Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club grooms over 150 miles of trails so you can enjoy some winter fun.
Jackman has miles of snowmobiling trails that lead all over and are great for all snowmobiling levels! Whether you want to snowmobile on an easy, flat trail or a steep trail to the top of Coburn Mountain, the highest groomed snowmobile trail in Maine, Jackman has something for everyone.
Winter Maine Lighthouse Tour
Although many people only visit the lighthouses in Maine in summer and fall, winter is a great time to enjoy them. And they are likely to have fewer crowds.
If you are staying near Portland, I recommend visiting Portland Head Light, Bug Light, and Spring Point Ledge. If you are exploring further up the coast near Camden, you can visit Marshall Point Lighthouse, Owls Head Lighthouse, and Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse.
You can also travel up the coast of Maine over several days to go on an epic lighthouse tour if you have time. It is a great way to see the best lighthouses in one trip!
Tubing or Tobogganing
A classic winter activity in Maine is tubing! It is a great way to hit the slopes if you do not want to ski or snowboard. A few of my favorite places to tube are Seacoast Adventures, Black Mountain Ski Resort, and Sunday River.
Have you ever wanted to go tobogganing? The Camden Snow Bowl has a toboggan chute you can enjoy once the conditions are just right! It is a unique winter activity in Maine and a fun alternative to tubing.
In February, the Camden Snow Bowl also hosts the US National Toboggan Championships, and racers from around the world come to compete. The racers travel down the toboggan chute at the Camden Snow Bowl and onto Hosmer Pond. It is a fun event to watch in winter!
Ice Climbing with a Guide
A unique thing to do in Maine in winter is ice climbing! Equinox Guiding Service and Northern Vertical offer a variety of guided trips for all levels and provide you with the gear and safety tips you need. Their experienced guides are flexible to accommodate your skill levels, so you can have fun ice climbing!
Sleigh Rides
And last but certainly not least, we have another fun winter activity in Maine for the entire family to enjoy! Picture this: cozying up with blankets and hot chocolate while enjoying stunning winter views on a beautiful sleigh pulled by gorgeous horses. It is magical!
Although many farms throughout Maine offer fun sleigh rides, a few of my favorites are Winterberry Farm and High View Farm. Both have stunning properties to enjoy while being cozy on a sleigh. It is one of the best things to do in Maine in winter!
If you want to visit Maine in winter, this guide is the perfect place to start planning your trip! It has everything you need to know about the best things to do in Maine in winter.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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