Cross Country Skiing and

Snowshoeing at Bethel Nordic

Center at the Bethel Inn in Bethel,

Maine - On the Common, Bethel, ME 04217

The Bethel Nordic Center (207-824-6276, www.caribourecreation.com) is On the Common in Bethel at the Bethel Inn Resort. There are beautiful views of the Mahoosuc mountain range with 40 km of groomed trails for skate and classic skiing. The trails for snowshoers are 8 km and new Tubbs snowshoes are available.

Bethel Nordic Center has a trail side warming hut and the center's main facility has snacks, drinks, a ski shop, sitting areas to warm up, and storage lockers. There is a ski shop with waxes, apparel, and equipment for adults and kids.

The trail pass at Bethel Nordic Center is $18 per day and $14 after 1:00 PM. Trail passes for students, kids under 15, or seniors is $14. Rental equipment is $18 per day and $14 after 1 PM. Snowshoes rent for $15 and $12 after 1 PM. There are discounted prices for students, kids, and seniors on the rental gear. Ice skates are $5 to rent.

Ski lessons are available daily at 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM and are $18 per person. Individual appointments for lessons (private) are $25.

Kids can go Trolling for Trolls at the Bethel Nordic Center skiing in search of trolls placed along the ski trails in various places. They use a map and a punch card and if they find all the trolls and return to the center with a completed card, they can exchange it for a big delicious cookie.

Snowshoe Tours are scheduled every Thursday and Saturday at 2:30 PM and there's a women's group that meets on Fridays at 2:30 PM. The NENSA Women's Day will be hosted by the Bethel Nordic Center on Feb 1 and a Winter Carnival is set for Feb 21 with sled dogs, demos of ski joring and biathlon, an outdoor BBQ, sleigh rides, and more.

The Bethel Inn Resort 800-654-0125, 207-824-2175, www.bethelinn.com) has been in operation since 1913 and there are 158 rooms with accommodations including traditional inn rooms, deluxe rooms or suites, and luxury townhouses. Inn rooms have private baths, cable TV, telephones and deluxe rooms also include fireplaces. There is a health club with spa services on site. Meals are available in a main dining room or the Millbrook Tavern and Grille for lunch or dinner.

Directions: Take I-95 to Exit 63 at Gray. Take Route 26 north to Bethel. Take right on Church Street after the village common. From the south, take I-93 and Exit 35 to Route 3 north to Twin Mountain. Take Route 115 North to Jefferson to Route 2 east to Bethel. From the south on Route 26 follow the signs to the Bethel historic district, cross the train tracks on to Main Street to 4-way intersection. Turn left on Broad Street. Bethel Inn is 21 Broad Street.

The Sunday River Ski Resort, which is one of the most comprehensive alpine ski resorts in New England is 6.8 miles away. Bethel, ME has all that is expected of a New England town focused on travelers with restaurants, shops, and a full list of activities all year long. CCSAA member