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Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
in Aroostook County, Maine Region
The
Maine Winter Sports Center in based in Caribou, ME (www.mainewsc.org,
207-492-1444) has developed accessible xc ski trails in partnership
with various communities in northern Maine. All of these trails are
free to the public, professionally designed, and most are groomed regularly.
At the heart of this organization is the goal of creating a new economic
and cultural model for Maine's rural communities - one that keeps young
families together and attracts businesses looking for a high quality
of life for their employees. This model community-run non-profit ski
areas provide an epicenter for programs for all ages and serve as economic
engines for these communities. Included in these trails are two world
class full facility venues at the 10th Mountain Center and the
Nordic Heritage Center.
10th
Mountain Center - Fort Kent (http://10thmtskiclub.org/,
207-834-7543) This world class facility has a 6,000 square foot lodge,
lockers, and 25 km of trails many that are year round trails with varying
difficulties; roller skiing, lighted trails, lodge, biathlon range,
sauna, wax testing hill, waxing building, and views of the valley below.
Fort Kent is home to many restaurants, shops, a border crossing, Lonesome
Pine Alpine ski hill, hotels, and University of Maine Fort Kent. 10th
Mountain hosted the World Cup Biathlon in 2004.
Location: Off of 11 just South of Fort Kent 1 mile look for the Maine
Winter Sports Center's sign.
Nordic Heritage Center - Presque Isle (http://www.nordicheritagecenter.org/,
207-762-6972) This is a world class venue with trails that have varying
difficulties; roller skiing, lighted trails, lodge, biathlon range,
sauna, wax testing hill, waxing building, mountain bike trails, and
a ridge for telemark skiing. The lodge was built in traditional Swedish
style. Home of University of Maine Presque Isle.
Location: Between Presque Isle and Fort Fairfield off of 167 on top
of and to the East of Quoggy Jo Ski Club, look for the entrance sign
just to the East of Quoggy Jo on Rte.167.
Here is a list of the Maine Winter Sports Center's other community trails:
Aroostook State Park - Year round trails with great
views, warming hut, and lakeside trails located in Maine's first State
park next to Echo Lake and Quoggy Jo Mountain, south of Presque Isle..
Location: 2 miles South of Presque Isle on Route 1 turn West on Spragueville
Road; follow signs to Aroostook State Park.
Aroostook Ski Touring Center - Ashland, ME is a
small town that is on Route 11 that leads you on a beautiful drive along
lakes and rivers, on your way towards Fort Kent. The Touring Center
has classic trails that wind through protected woods in a double figure
eight. A nice warming lodge with fireplace, tables, library, historic
photos.
Location: Head north of Ashland on Route 11 for 2 1/2 miles and turn
right on Wrightville Road. The touring center is at the end of the road
about 8 miles down the road.
Black Mountain of Maine - http://www.skiblackmountain.org/cross_country.html,
207-364-8977) In Rumford, ME and the Longfellow Mountain Range, this
trail network is part of the alpine ski area operation with 17 km of
xc ski trails groomed for skate and classic skiing. There are also 4
km that are covered with snowmaking.
Location: 4 miles from Rumford and 2 miles beyond St. John's Cemetary
on Glover Road.
Caribou
High School Ski Center - (207-492-2771) This trail network in the
town of Caribou, ME in central Aroostook County has a lighted trail
and snow making. There is a lodge available for warming up and waxing.
The town has many stores, restaurants, and entertainment options available.
Location: Behind the Caribou High School.
Caribou Ski Trails - (207-493-4224) This easy rolling
terrain is out of the wind, winding through the woods next to the golf
course at the Caribou Country Club.
Location: 3 Miles North of Caribou on Highway 161 at The Caribou Country
Club. Blue ski sign marks the entrance.
Caribou Teague Park (207-493-4224) This Ski Park
and loop is in the schoolyard. Location: Downtown Caribou on Bennett
Drive across from the Rec. Dept.
Fort Fairfield - This restored Aroostook river town on the New
Brunswick border has fun trails with a couple of nice short descents.
Location: Behind the Fort Fairfield High School and Elementary School
Limestone Ski Trails at Trafton Lake (207-325-4603) Beautiful potato lands surround the area and the trail is located near lakeside camping and nature trails in the summer. There are winding classic trails and easy skating loops with a connector trail to the town of Limestone. There is a warming hut with a pot belly stove as well as a lighted loop. Location: Head South on Ward Road off of 89 between Caribou and Limestone, just South of Bog road turn East to Trafton Lake as signs indicate; Ski Trails are at the North end of the Parking lot near the Campground. Connector trail in town begins behind the schools
Little
Rock Ski Trail -Mars Hill This small town that has restaurants,
stores, shops, xc ski trails, and an alpine ski area. There is a groomed
5K trail connecting the high school to alpine ski area ski. Uphill going
towards Big Rock
Location: Trails can be accessed from Big Rock Ski area just north of
Mars Hill on Route 1a (travel up Boynton Road and follow the signs)
or from Central Aroostook High School.
Madawaska 4 Seasons Trail Association (www.fourseasonstrail.org)
Madawaska is the most Northeastern town in the US. Situated on Route
1 just across the border from Edmundston, NB, Madawaska is located at
the heard of the St. John River Valley. The Four Seasons offers a modern
lodge facility, 7 km of groomed xc ski trails along with a 20 km classic
track loop. Beautiful snowshoe trails weave within the ski system. All
trails start from the lodge on Spring Street.
Location: Spring St. in Madawaska, Maine. The trail head is just 3 minutes
from Route 1 and 10 minutes from the Trans Canada Highway
New Sweden Ski Trails - New Sweden is the center
of the Swedish culture in Northern Maine, complete with a Swedish store
and museum and one of the nicest amphitheaters around. There are two
fun winding loop trails, one for skating and one for classic.
Location: Behind and next to the Elementary school in New Sweden; turn
west off of 161 for a mile+ on Station road and the school is on the
right
Nordic Lakers Cross Country Club Island Trail -
Many Swedish descendents, retirees, hunters, fishers, and water lovers
call Madawaska Lake home or have a camp on it. Madawaska Lake's backyard
year round trail on a timber trail. An easy trail that consists of a
10km loop through the woods with classic tracks set side by side make
for great skiing. The Ski shed (lean to shelter) is a ski destination.
Stan's lakeside store/restaurant/news exchange/fuel stop/10 cent coffee
house/etc. is the center of activity. Trail donation requested.
Location: 8/10 of a mile Southeast of Stan's on highway 161, turn Southwest
on the private Madawaska Lake road, Park 200 Yards down on the left
at the trail head.
Snowy
Mountain Trails -Stockholm. Meticulously groomed figure eight loops
and a fun ski park. Currently lights are being installed on some sections
of the trails. Mixes of trees make these trails very enjoyable for the
arborist and aviary enthusiast. Anderson's Grocery is a general store
that began business in 1901 (it is on the National Register of Historic
Places). Stockholm also is home of The Stockholm Museum, Eureka Hall
Restaurant, American Legion Building, a gas/service station
Location: From downtown Stockholm follow the signs to the school on
School Street.
Split Cedar Ski Trails - Van Buren. These trails
are around a peaceful pond winding through the woods. Take the Connector
trail to town to avoid driving all the way to the trailhead. Van Buren
is a border town with the County's only full time Ski/Bike shop and
there is also has a pharmacy on the National Historic Registry. More
info about the trails can be found at the ski shop.
Location: Out of Van Buren's north end take St Mary's road to the southwest
for 4+ miles, trail sign is on the left.
St. Agatha - Cove Corner Wood Trails. The trails wind through the woods at the head of Long Lake. St. Agatha is a beautiful community sitting on the shores of Long Lake. Location: Off of 162 from downtown St. Agatha take Clevland Road about 2 miles following the North end of Long Lake. Just after the hard right turn at the head of the lake you take Rossginol Road to the trails.
Westmanland Ski Trails - This is one of the most
beautiful areas in Aroostook county with great views of the mountains
to the west and Madawaska Lake and Little Madawaska Lake to the north
with more than 35 km of trails, this is the most extensive trail system
in the county. There are many winding trails in the woods, as well as
trails that are out in the open with fantastic views.
Location: Off of Route 161 head West on Westmanland road, then North
on Westmanland road. Parking is located at the Town office as well as
at marked trailheads on either side of the road.
Woodland Community Ski Trail - These fun trails
along the side of the fields and in the woods make for a great skiing
experience. Fun ski park and downhill section out on the trail. Many
historic buildings and churches make Woodland a nice place to spend
some time.
Location: Behind the Consolidated School
Pineland
Farms (www.pinelandfarms.org,
207-688-4539) in the southern region of Maine in New Gloucester, ME.
There are 30 km of well-designed groomed trails that are groomed daily
for both classic and skate skiing. The trails were designed on more
than 4,000 acres of woodlands, fields, and rolling farmlands. They are
adjacent to working farms and the Pineland Campus, which is a complex
of buildings occupied by businesses, schools and art centers.
The Pineland Farms Visitors Center houses a retail shop and a general store that features products made in Maine. There is also a snack bar, wax rooms and restrooms. Lessons, xc ski and snowshoe equipment rentals are available. The Visitors Center offers breathtaking views of Mt. Washington from the main floor.
The Campus Loop trail provides challenging hills and frequent
corners designed for competitions. The River Loop along the Royal River
crosses fields, forest land and two scenic bridges that were hand-crafted
using hemlocks harvested at Pineland Farms.
Located within an hour's drive of 600,000 people, it has quickly become
Maine most visited cross-country ski center.
Location: 15 Farm View Drive, New Gloucester, ME 04260. Take the Maine Turnpike to Exit 11 in Gray, Maine. Bear right, straight through the first intersection onto Route 115. At the stop sign, turn left on Route 231, the campus will be on the left.
