Maine Snowmobile Trail Conditions

ConnectMaine.com provides updates on the latest snowmobile trail conditions for Maine. Click on the links below to learn more.

http://www.connectmaine.com/trailreports/trailrep.html

http://www.travel-maine.info/snowmobiling.htm

Jackman Sprint Race - Dog Sled Race in Jackman, Maine - March 4-6, 2011

The Jackman Sprint Race will be held in Jackman, Maine on March 4, 5, and 6, 2011.  The dog sled races will take place over three days.  Learn more by visiting the website of the Down East Sled Dog Club.  Click here to learn more about dogsledding in Maine.

Snowmobile Drag Racing in Maine

There are all sorts of ways to enjoy winter in Maine.  One of them is attending a snowmobile drag race!  Learn more about snowmobiling in Maine and snowmobile drag racing.

Dog Sled Race in Newport, Maine

Dog sled races take place in Maine throughout the winter months.  One such race is the David D. Merrill Memorial Challenge to be held in Newport, Maine on February 26-27, 2011.  It is sponsored by the Sebasticook Valley Chamber of Commerce.  Click below to learn more:

Down East Sled Dog Club

Dogsledding in Maine

Old Orchard Beach, Maine Winter Carnival - Feb 25-26, 2011

The Old Orchard Beach Winter Carnival will be held in Old Orchard Beach, Maine on February 25-26 (Friday and Saturday), 2011.

"The Winter Carnival kicks off Friday, February 25th with sledding down Old Orchard Street from 5-8pm. Saturday the action continues downtown from 10-4pm with sledding down Old Orchard Street, kids games, music & other crazy winter fun. You do not want to miss the Human Dog Sled Race! Put a team together and register to compete. There will be a happy hour pub crawl on Saturday from 5:30-7:00pm. It is a walking pub tour starting at Taste of Thai Orchard and continuing onto The Strike Zone, then to JJs and Oceanside Grill at The Brunswick. Some places will be offering a discount on beverages if you are wearing a Winter Carnival button."

http://www.oob365.com/OOB365WinterCarnival.html

Snow Remains for Great Snowshoeing Experiences in Maine

We still have snow in Maine. The last few days have melted some of it away but in our back field we still have a foot or more.  For the outdoors crowd it has been a wonderful, snow-filled winter here in Maine.  Hopefully cooler temperatures will continue to last into March and the snowshoeing weather will continue!

Click here for more information on snowshoeing in Maine.

Sebago Lake Ice Fishing Derby

The dates for the ice fishing derbys at Sebago Lake are:

Kid's Derby - February 25, 2011
Sebago Derby - February 26-27, 2011
Statewide Derby - March 5-6, 2011

Learn more at the link below:

http://www.icefishingderby.com/

12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby, Little Ossipee Lake, Waterboro, Maine on Sunday, Feb 20, 2011

The 12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2011 on Little Ossipee Lake in Waterboro, Maine.  Visit http://www.fetinc.net/ for more information on rules, tickets, alternate dates, brochure, sponsors, derby rules, and prizes.  The ice fishing derby is presented by FET, Inc in conjunction with the "Hooked on Fishing and Not on Drugs" program. 

"FET, Inc is a local nonprofit organization. FET’s mission is to promote fishing and more specifically ice fishing as a fun inexpensive family winter activity. Other major goals involve maintaining habitat and practicing ethical fishing tactics that will allow fishing to grow and prosper as a fun family orientated activity.

Proceeds to benefit HOFNOD, Inland Fisheries Division for Fish Management and Conservation of Southern Maine Waters, Waterboro Park and other local charities.

Hooked on Fishing and Not on Drugs (HOFNOD) is a state program that promotes youth and family togetherness through fishing within the State of Maine These programs focus on drug prevention, environmental education and development of fishing skills. Fishing is offered as a positive alternative to drug use while providing parents an opportunity to communicate with their children. Emily Jones is the State youth coordinator for this program. Please feel free to contact her for additional information on the program."

Maine Swedish Colony - 75th Annual Sno Carnival - March 5, 2011

The towns of the Maine Swedish Colony gather each year for a winter carnival featuring traditional Nordic skiing, sledding, and snowshoeing events for all ages with good food and fellowship.  Held at the Stockholm Community Center, 63 School Street, Stockholm, Maine 04783 on March 5, 2011.

http://www.visitaroostook.com/event/6532/75th_annual_sno_carnival/

Ice Fishing around Jackman, Maine and Moose River Region

Ice fishing in Maine is in full swing due to the recent cold spell Maine has experienced.  For information about ice fishing in the Jackman, Maine area visit the web link below:

http://jackmanmaine.org/maine-ice-fishing.php

Snowshoeing in the Moosehead Lake Region of Maine

Snowshoeing in Maine is great fun, super exercise, and inexpensive.  You can snowshoe in any area of Maine but one of the best areas is the Moosehead Lake Region.  The hiking trails in this area of Maine are varied and numerous.  Learn more about snowshoeing in the Moosehead Lake Region.

Maine Snowmobile Association

The Maine Snowmobile Association has done a lot to promote the winter sport of snowmobiling in the state of Maine.  Read more about the the association in their description (from their website) found below: 

"The Maine Snowmobile Association has been an active and involved part of the Maine outdoors since 1968. From an initial organizational meeting of six dedicated snowmobilers, the MSA has grown to include approximately 30,000 snowmobilers (and friends) across the state and beyond its borders. Club members throughout Maine work locally, regionally and at the state level to promote snowmobiling in Maine as a safe, fun, family oriented winter sport.


Members of local clubs accept the responsibility for much of the trail clearing, bridge building, maintenance, signing and grooming that keep the Maine trail system open.  One of the clubs' most important duties is obtaining landowner permission for access, and maintaining contact with the generous people who allow snowmobile trails to cross their property. Over 2000 MSA business members support the trails effort through their membership in the clubs."

Visit the Maine Snowmobile Association website at the link found below

http://www.mesnow.com/

Learn more about snowmobiling in Maine

http://www.travel-maine.info/snowmobiling.htm

Facts about Maple Syrup in Maine

Strawberry Hill Farms, a producer of organic Maine maple syrup, has posted some maple facts on its website.  The webpage provides nuggets of info such as tree health, grading of maple syrup, production, and growth of the maple syrup market.  Read more in "Maple Facts".  Learn more about Maine maple syrup at this link.

Maine Winter Sports Center

The Maine Winter Sports Center describes its mission as "Creating a model for the sustainability of rural communities through a skiing lifestyle".  The organization has as some of its goals improving the health of Mainers, providing winter recreation to Mainers, and the development of economic activity through winter sports.  To this end the organization sponsors winter sports events in Maine.  Learn more about the Maine Winter Sports Center at the link below:

http://www.mainewsc.org/

Ice Fishing Derby - Otisfield, Maine - Feb 19-20, 2011

Otisfield, Maine will hold an ice fishing derby on Saturday and Sunday, February 19-20, 2011.  The derby is open to fishing on Thomson Lake and Pleasant Lake.  The derby is open to all ages.  Sign up is at the New Outpost.  For more info call (207) 539-2323.

12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby - Phippsburg, Maine - Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Phippsburg Sportsmen's Association is promoting the 12th Annual Ice Fishing Derby to be held in Phippsburg, Maine on Sunday, February 13, 2011.  Learn more at the links below:

http://www.psassoc.org/infopage.php?ContentID=200

http://www.travel-maine.info/ice_fishing.htm

Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve - Wells, Maine

There are seven miles of hiking trails to enjoy at the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve located at 342 Laudholm Farm Road in Wells, Maine.  The state of Maine is a great place for birdwatching and hiking - this reserves offers the visitor both of these activities in a natural setting with a variety of habitats.

Dogsledding in Maine

Maine is home to lots of snow during the winter months.  Along with the snow are various winter outdoor activities and sports.  One of these activities is dogsledding.  There are many firms in Maine that offer dogsledding tours, trips, and adventures. Dog sled races and events take place during the winter season.  To learn more about dogsledding in Maine click on the link below:

 http://www.travel-maine.info/dogsledding.htm

Snowmobile Trail Conditions in Maine

The Maine Snowmobile Association offers updated information on trail conditions in Maine.  Click on the link below for more information.

http://www.mesnow.com/WherestheSnow.html

Maine Snowmobile Trail Maps

Maps of the Maine Interconnected Trail System (ITS) are available from the Maine Snowmobile Association website.  Click on the link below to view or download the ITS snowmobile trail map.

http://www.mesnow.com/Map.html

Learn more about maps of the state of Maine at the link below

http://www.travel-maine.info/Maine_Maps.htm

Cross Country Skiing at Smiling Hill Farm - Westbrook, Maine

Looking for a place to cross-country ski with groomed trails?  Try the Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook, Maine.

"In the winter, Smiling Hill Farm operates an extensive cross country skiing operation. Just minutes from Portland, skiers can spend less time driving and more time skiing on our approximately 25 kilometers of machine-groomed trails around the picturesque and historic Smiling Hill Farm. Trails are groomed wide to allow both classical tracked and a generous skate lane. A fully equipped rental line with Rossignol ski packages are available." 

http://www.smilinghill.com/xcski.html

Norway Exile Snowshoe Race in Norway, Maine on February 19, 2011

The first annual Norway Exile Snowshoe Race will be held on February 19, 2011 at the Roberts Farm Preserve at 11:00 am.  The race will be run on the CA Stephens Trail.  There is a 5K and 10K race.  More info can be found at the website of the Western Foothills Land Trust at http://www.wflt-maine.org/.

Nordic Skiing in Maine - Info, Skiing Destinations, Ski Reports

With all the snow that we have had this year we are presented with a great opportunity for some outdoor exercise and winter fun.  Cross-country (Nordic) skiing is an inexpensive way to get outdoors and have some exercise.  There are many places in Maine to cross-country ski.  Farms across the state turn their hay fields, pastures, and adjacent woods into cross country ski areas.  Many of the state parks allow cross-country skiing. The state has numerous snowmobile trails that also tolerate cross-country skiers (don't get run over though, and assume the snowmobile has the right of way).  And, of course, there is your own back yard where you can plow through the snow and break your own trail over fields and through the woods.  Learn more about cross-country skiing in Maine at the link below:

http://www.travel-maine.info/nordic_skiing.htm

Alpine Ski Events in Maine - Event Calendar

A listing of Alpine ski events for the state of Maine is provided by the Ski Maine Association.  See the link below:

http://www.skimaine.com/events.php#alpine

For more information about downhill skiing in Maine see the link below:

http://www.travel-maine.info/skiing.htm

Snow Conditions for Maine Ski Resorts

Are you wondering what the snow conditions are on Maines' ski slopes?  The Ski Maine Association provides this information for almost all of Maines' ski areas on its website home page at the link below:

http://www.skimaine.com/