| Maine is a beautiful state any time of the year, but | | | | 2. Catch a dogsled race! Especially in Northern Maine, |
| especially gorgeous in the winter. The starkly pristine | | | | these fun events are a great way to get outdoors |
| landscapes and frigid temperatures convince many to | | | | and enjoy the wintry weather on your Maine winter |
| adopt a policy of 'look but don't touch', but this is simply | | | | vacation The Eagle Lake 100 and the Can-Am 250 |
| not true! There are many things to do in Northern | | | | are two popular races in the northern tip of the state. |
| Maine during the winter months, and one should feel no | | | | The Can-Am is even a qualifier for the Iditarod in |
| trepidation when contemplating a Maine winter | | | | Alaska, the most prestigious mushing event in the |
| vacation. Here are some great ideas to help you keep | | | | world. Sure, it may be a bit chilly, standing and waiting |
| warm and have some fun while on a Maine winter | | | | for the teams to rush by, but the atmosphere is |
| vacation. | | | | absolutely electric at the start-something that simply |
| 1. Go skiing! Skiing is a great way to appreciate the | | | | can't be replicated by any other experience. Hundreds |
| snow for what it is-fun! With dozens of ski venues | | | | of dogs barking at once as they strain to get to the |
| across Maine and a variety of cross-country and | | | | starting gate...the blare of the loudspeaker as the |
| downhill ski experiences to choose from, something | | | | teams are announces, the excited buzz of the |
| appropriate for all levels of skiers can probably be | | | | crowd..these are the sounds of a good dogsled race. |
| found. | | | | Make sure you grab a hot coffee! |
| For those unfamiliar with skiing, the cross-country | | | | 3. Go snowshoeing! Odd and unfamiliar for those not |
| discipline is split up into two different styles, skate and | | | | accustomed to it, snowshoeing is a great way to |
| classical. Skate resembles ice-skating on long, thin skis. | | | | experience the outdoors in northern Maine during your |
| Classical probably resembles the skiing most people | | | | Maine winter vacation. It's also a great alternative to |
| have in their heads when they think of cross-country | | | | skiing, as it is usually done cross-country, across |
| skiing-a slow back-and-forth motion between the two | | | | ungroomed and untouched sections of forest. |
| skis, almost like walking forward, aided by poles for | | | | Snowshoes are basically large saucer-like |
| propulsion. Both styles of skiing make for amazing | | | | constructions of wood and other materials that are |
| outdoor experiences and cardiovascular workouts. In | | | | fastened to the feet to prevent them from sinking into |
| northern Maine, there are plenty of great places to go | | | | the snow. With a larger base, the snowshoes can't |
| for well-maintained ski lodges and trails and ski rentals. | | | | sink into the soft snow and cross-country expeditions |
| Downhill skiing is more for enthusiasts of speed and | | | | are possible. Snowshoe rentals and purchases are |
| exhilaration. The skis are wider than cross-country skis, | | | | available almost anywhere you go. Make sure not to |
| for greater control down the steep hills, which can | | | | miss this experience! |
| accelerate skiers to speeds rivaling cars on the | | | | Now that you have some great ideas for your Maine |
| highway. Poles are optional for control, but generally | | | | winter vacation, you know you aren't going to be |
| recommended for beginning skiers. A chairlift or t-bar | | | | bored or stuck in the cold the whole time. What are |
| will bring the skiers to the top of the ski mountain, and | | | | you waiting for? Come on up to the white wilderness! |
| gravity will being them back down! | | | | We'll be waiting. |