Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing
Mainers love their cross-country (also called “Nordic”) skiing. In addition to downhill ski mountains that also offer cross-country trails, numerous Nordic (cross country) touring centers specialize in the sport, offering equipment, lessons, racing, and special events. Maine’s Nordic centers offer 550 kilometers of trails. Nordic skiing also may be done at state parks and public land conservation areas. Cross country skiing is done on groomed trails or more-rugged backcountry trails. Two popular forms of the sport are classic Nordic skiing in tracks and skate-skiing, where the skis are employed in large, gliding motions.
A great resource for cross country skiing along with other outdoor adventure sports is Maine Huts & Trails, which offers hut-to-hut skiing opportunities. Ski Maine Association, which works mostly with downhill ski areas, has a page for Nordic Centers that lists cross country ski areas and their snow conditions. The Nordic Heritage Sport Club in Presque Isle stands ready to help novices or experience cross country skiers get onto the snow. Many Nordic ski areas welcome snowshoeing and also rent equipment for that activity.
14 places to visit
Bethel, ME
Inland Woods & Trails at Bethel Inn Resort
This is a great option to have cross-country skiing and snowshoeing right outside the back door of your lodging for a vigorous winter weekend of sport mixed with relaxation and luxury. Forty kilometers of Nordic trails leave from the inn. Rentals and lessons for cross country skiing and snowshoeing are available. Inn also has a health club with outdoor heated pool to ease weary muscles at the end of a day of skiing. Families with young children may rent a traditions pulk sled to pull a load of children behind adult skiers.21 Broad Street 207-200-8240
Fort Kent, ME
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
This non-profit outdoor sports club welcomes visitors to professionally groomed trails arranged in loops from 0.7 to 6.5 kilometers. Loops are connected and skiers can cover the whole circuit continuously. Loops for all ability levels.
Visitors can reach the trails at three points: from the ski center is on Paradis Circle, located 1.5 miles south of the traffic light on Route 11 in the center of Fort Kent; at the Red Barn, 0.7 miles west on the St. John Road from the center of Fort Kent (begin here if you are skiing with a dog); Violette Settlement access is 1.8 miles west from the center of town on the St. John Road (Route 161). Turn onto the Violette Settlement Road.33 Paradis Circle 207-834-6203
Falmouth, ME
Gilsland Farm Center of the Maine Audubon Society
This headquarters for Maine Audubon is just a few miles from Portland, located along the Presumpscot River estuary. It has an environmental center and a 65-acre sanctuary with two miles of trails winding through woods, meadows, and salt marsh. Trails are open for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. All trails are gentle with no steep grades. The main trailhead is located just outside the Visitor Center. From there, hikers and skiers and snowshoers may get access to all the trail spurs, junctions and main trail loops. Trail Map (PDF)20 Gilsland Farm Road 207-781-2330
New Gloucester, ME
Pineland Farms Outdoor Center
Pineland Farms is a working farm, business campus and educational and recreational venue. IT has 5,000 acres of woodlands and fields open to the public for various outdoor activities. Thirty kilometers are open for biking, walking, trail running, mountain biking, tennis, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating. Please call for ticket prices - Season passes are available. Equipment rentals and lessons. If weather and snow conditions permit, ski trails are open daily from 8am to 5pm.25 Campus Drive 207-688-6599
Rockwood, ME
Birches Ski Touring Center
40 kilometers of groomed trails On 11,000 acres of fields and woodlands with 100 inches of snowfall a year. Dogs are allowed on trails, but must be leashed. Visitors may rent both skis and snowshoes at the Birches Resort Lodge (Pets are not allowed in the main lodge). The center also offers ice fishing and snowmobiling, with equipment rentals and instruction. Guided winter excursions and packages are offered.281 Birches Road 207-537-7305
Camden, ME
Camden Snow Bowl
Cross country skiing and snowshoeing trails are open on this mountain, which offers extensive downhill skiing and ice skating.20 Barnestown Road 207-236-3438
Dayton, ME
Harris Farm XC Ski Center
Dairy farm opens 500 acres for cross-country skiing across fields and through forests. Thirty kilometers for trails are groomed as tracks and as wide ski-skating lanes. Trails include easy loops for novices and hilly terrain for more-advanced skiers. Heated log house has retail and rental shop and kitchen. Snowshoes and pulk sleds to carry children also for rent.280 Buzzell Road 207-499-2678
Rumford, ME
Black Mountain of Maine
The cross-country skiing center is friendly and helpful. Nordic trails are groomed for skating and classic cross-country techniques. Snowshoeing is permitted on trails.39 Glover Road 207-364-8977
Bethel, ME
Carter’s XC Ski
This ski center offers 55km of groomed trails along the Androscoggin River, into the woods and up Farwell Mountain with vistas of Sunday River, Carter Moriahs, and the Presidentials. Trail passes, lessons, rentals of cross country skis, snow shoes, fat tire bikes and pulk sleds. All trail passes are good at both Carter locations, in Oxford and Bethel. -786 Intervale Road 207-824-3880
Bridgton, ME
Five Fields Farm
Cross country ski and snowshoe through 27 kilometers of orchards and logging roads at this apple orchard. The farm's heated retail stand includes a rental operation with Nordic skiing equipment in all sizes, along with snowshoeing equipment, The trail system moves through the orchards and also connects with logging roads and travels on lands owned by Loon Echo Land Trust and on Bald Pate Mountain.
Groomed trails do not reach the summit, but the back country trek to the summit is often done by snowshoers and tougher skiers. Views include wonderful vistas and occasionally Mount Washington.720 South Bridgton Road - ME Route 107 207-647-2425
Auburn, ME
Lost Valley Ski Area
17 kilometers of cross country ski terrain leaves from the base lodge of this downhill (Alpine) ski mountain and wanders through the surrounding woods. Rentals available.200 Lost Valley Road 207-784-1561
Rangeley, ME
Rangeley Lakes Trails Center
Skiing and snowshoeing allowed on 55 kilometers of mapped trails, Travel through woodland ecosystems and over brooks. The ski center is a yurt 2.5 miles from Dallas Hill Road on Saddleback Road. Several loops of trails offer a choice of distances for your expedition, from a short sprint to a full day outing. Dogs welcome. Nordic skis, snowshoes and fat tire bikes are available for rent.524 Saddleback Mountain Road 207-864-4309
Carrabassett Valley, ME
Sugarloaf Mountain
Located in Maine’s western mountains, Sugarloaf is a big and a tall ski area. The Outdoor Center is the hub for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice skating. Rentals and lessons are available. Access to The Outdoor Center trails & activities is included with all regular lift tickets.5092 Sugarloaf Access Road 207-237-2000
Norway, ME
Roberts Farm Preserve
Seven miles of groomed and tracked Nordic trails, one single-mile track, one-half mile handicap trail, beautiful views of Norway Lake and distant mountains, and a staffed and equipped warming hut. Trails are easy to difficult. Free ski boots, poles, and snowshoes on site every day. Events include biathlons, skijors, ski clinics, and snowshoe races at Roberts Farm and other year round events (following Covid guidelines).64 Roberts Road