21 Beautiful Places To Go Cross Country Skiing in Maine

Cross-country skiing in Maine is a fantastic winter activity. It’s an inexpensive, accessible way to get outside and explore nature while burning lots of calories in the process. Cross-country skiing is also a great way to build endurance and strength.

I love cross country skiing. It’s quiet and peaceful and reminds me of when I used to be a distance runner. You just get into the flow and it doesn’t even seem like work. Granted, it doesn’t have the same thrill as downhill skiing, but . . . apples and oranges!

Each ski stride works your quads, glutes, and hamstrings, not to mention the cardio workout! You couldn’t ask for better scenery while getting in some exercise.

Cross-country skis are also easier to find and less expensive than their downhill counterparts. In addition to being less expensive, cross-country skis are also lighter which makes them easier to carry uphill.

This is especially true after a long day of skiing or if you’re just starting out and are not quite there yet . . .

Cross-country skiing is great for beginners. If you’ve never tried it, you don’t have to be nervous like you might be about alpine, or downhill, skiing.

With your feet firmly planted on the ground, you’ll soon be gliding through the landscape like you’ve been cross-country skiing in Maine all your life!

Here are 21 places, organized by general region, where you can cross-country ski in Maine this winter season.

In winter, the Millinocket area is a haven for winter recreation. There are over 20 miles of track-set cross-country ski trails to choose from. Some trails are wooded and protected on windy days, whereas other trails are open and scenic.

No matter which trails you choose, cross-country skiers will find unmatched solitude and scenery on these gorgeous trails.

The Nordic Heritage Center (NHC) is a cross-country skiing and biathlon stadium and lodge, with 20 km of cross-country ski routes. The lodge is open to the public from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and includes kitchen facilities, bathrooms, and showers.

Trail fees are $8 per day, or free with membership.

The Birches Resort has one of the finest cross-country skiing trail networks in New England, with over 40 miles of groomed trails of varying difficulty levels for novice to intermediate skiers.

Book a private lesson with one of their instructors to learn how to ski. They also offer a sauna and hot tub for overnight and day guests, and equipment rental at their ski touring center.

In addition to being one of the first ski centers in the Northeast to have snow in the fall and the last to hang up the skis in April, the Fort Kent Outdoor Center is becoming the No. 1 choice for cross-country skiing in the area.

Facilities there include the 10th Mountain Lodge and biathlon grounds.

The 25-mile network of trails at Hidden Valley Nature Center offers plenty of opportunities to get out and do some cross-country skiing.

They also offer many types of guided and unguided activities, mountain bike, ski, and snowshoe rentals, making it the hub of their adventure programming. They have equipment available to rent.

Cross-country skiing is available on Acadia National Park’s carriage roads, which total about 45 miles (72 km) of groomed cross-country skiing. The cross-country ski tracks are mostly put down by volunteers when there is at least four inches (10 cm) of snowfall.

Cross-country skiing on unplowed park roads is also permitted, although skiers must watch out for snowmobilers.

It is critical to be mindful of the fact that cross-country skiing is not recommended on hiking trails because of the uneven and steep nature of the trails, ice falls blocking the path, and routes obscured by snow.

Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn boasts 10 kilometers of well-maintained Nordic cross-country trails. You can purchase a trail pass online or on-site. The Auburn Nordic Ski Association maintains and grooms the trails.

The intersection signs on their trails conveniently point out the quickest or easiest way to get back to the lodge.

Camden Hills State Park is a public recreation area with 5,710 acres of land overlooking Penobscot Bay. Mount Battie, Mount Megunticook, and other scenic locations are accessible via multi-use trails. The park also offers snowshoeing as an alternative winter activity.

Camden Hills is a great place to go if you’re looking for a low-key cross-country ski experience. It is also located in a fantastic area for day trips to other coastal towns.

Take a look at the day trips from Befast as well as the day trips from Boothbay Harbor for more local sightseeing.

Averaging 32 kilometers of cross-country ski trails, Critterwoods Outdoor Recreation Area offers beginner and intermediate cross-country skiers plenty of trail options. As an added bonus, they offer a snack bar, heated lodge, and even dog sled rides in Corinth!

Titcomb Mountain in Farmington offers 16 km of cross-country trails for all levels from beginner to expert. The trails wind through forests and meander through fields as classic or skate skiing groomed paths. They also offer 2.3 km of Nordic skiing lit for night skiing.

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS〰️ Stick to the established trails & roads, unless you are an experienced backcountry skier.〰️ Know your limits and always stay under control.〰️ Dress appropriately, in layers with wicking material underneath and waterproof material on top.〰️ Bring a basic first aid kit.〰️ Bring water and make sure to stay hydrated.〰️ Wear sunglasses or tinted goggles and maybe sunscreen.〰️ Bring ski wax just in case.〰️If you are backcountry skiing, take an avalanche safety course.

Black Mountain, one of the finest Nordic skiing facilities in North America, is home to the Chisholm Ski Club. Whether you’re an expert or a novice, their expansive glades have everything you’re looking for.

Looking for speed or tranquility? Their terrain has beginner, intermediate, and expert trails to choose from. “You Are Here” signposts aid you in navigating the trail of your choice.

Dave and Anne Carter opened Carter’s XC Ski Center in Oxford, Maine in 1984. Dave’s theory was that, if people could walk, they could ski. He imagined that everyone would be able to cross-country ski.

They then opened the Bethel location on Intervale Road where Dave grew up. Today, the family-run business includes an authentic winter experience with various levels of skiing, snowshoeing, fat bike, and backcountry trails available.

They also have a ski shop stocked with all your touring, racing, and backcountry needs, as well as eco-cabins that may be rented for a cross-country skiing vacation–or perhaps a romantic getaway.

The Rangeley Lakes Trail Center has over 50 kilometers of secluded, scenic recreational trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Saddleback Mountain is accessible via trail system.

There are Nordic-groomed winter trails and single-track trails for backcountry skiing.

Nordic skiing, fat tire biking, and snowshoeing are all welcome, and many trails are dog friendly. Winter equipment rentals, as well as food, drink, and good cheer are available in the yurt lodge.

Winter lessons and guided tours are can be arranged. Check out the Gnome Home Roam— a public outdoor art project for the kid in all of us.

While you’re here, consider taking in some of the other things available to do in Rangeley, Maine.

More than 50 linear cross-country ski trails stretch across Maine Huts & Trails, providing one of the most unique Nordic and backcountry skiing experiences in the northeast. You may enjoy a day trip or attempt a hut-to-hut cross-country ski expedition.

Because the trails aren’t groomed regularly, you should be prepared for true backcountry conditions.

If you’re looking to go cross-country skiing with a few friends who may not be as experienced, Sugarloaf is a fantastic option. Sugarloaf’s trails are easy and suitable for people of all skill levels. They are also maintained for both types of cross-country skiing.

Following the trail, you’ll ski past some of the most beautiful views of Sugarloaf Mountain. If you’re new to cross-country skiing, you can go to the Sugarloaf Adventure Center to get equipment. Sugarloaf is a fantastic place to go cross-country skiing.

The Bethel Inn Resort is home to 30km of cross-country skiing trails, 8 miles of snowshoeing trails, and miles of walking and biking trails accessible in both the winter and summer months.

Cross-country skiing has been part of Five Fields Farm in Bridgton for a decade. Their 850-foot elevation puts the on the right side of the “snow line”. They offer a variety of rental equipment, including snowshoes.

The trail system starts on their back lawn and totals 27 kilometers.

Looping around the orchards, the logging roads, and lands owned by neighboring abutters, are connected. Trails are predominantly one-way, with bi-directional skiing only where absolutely necessary.

The trail system is designed to allow new skiers to rapidly access all areas.

While groomed trails do not go to the summit, snowshoe hikers and more adventurous skiers regularly make the 20-minute backcountry trek for a view of the horizon, which includes numerous ponds, lakes, and on clear days, Mount Washington in NH.

If you’re traveling from out of state and don’t want to drive up to central or northern Maine, here are some of the best places to cross-country ski near Portland.

Pineland Farms has ~5,000 acres of woodlands and open fields that are open to the public for year-round outdoor activities. It also happens to be one of my favorite places, as you can tell from these posts: Where To Go Running In Maine and Snow Tubing In Maine

There are 30 kilometers of professionally designed, well-maintained trails for biking, walking, trail running, Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. The Nordic ski trail hours are daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Bradbury State Park in Pownal offers year-round trail activities and camping. The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to sunset, unless otherwise posted at the gate.

You may continue to enjoy the park during the off-season by parking outside the gate – without blocking it – and walking in. Please be aware that facilities are closed during the off-season.

The Sebago Lake Land Reserve, located in Standish, opened to the public in 2005. The Land Reserve, which consists of 1700 acres, is open to passive recreational activities.

The Sebago to the Sea Trail and the Mountain Division Trail are among the many trails found on the reserve. The kiosks at Sebago Lake Ecology Center provide trail maps.

Located in Dayton, Harris Farm has 600 acres of open fields and forested areas crisscrossed by thirty kilometers of groomed surfaces and fifty-five kilometers of track set trails. The trails vary in difficulty from easy beginners’ loops to rolling terrain for experienced skiers.

Smiling Hill Farm offers 25 kilometers of Nordic skiing groomed trails on the scenic, historic farm in Westbrook. During the winter they operate an extensive cross-country skiing operation.

Located just outside of Portland, you can spend less time driving and more time skiing! Classic track skiing is offered on their trails. Dogs are permitted on trails only when they are on a leash. They are not permitted off leash at any time.

(Okay, I have to add this. They also offer goat yoga here! Scroll down near the bottom of the linked page for more info.)

For cross-country skiing you’ll just need a few items to get started. The most important thing to remember is that you need cross-country skis, not downhill skis. Make sure that the skis are of the correct length for your height.

Also, be sure to wear cross-country ski boots which come with special bindings. These bindings allow you to walk on the skis just like you would walk on a pair of boots. You’ll also need cross-country ski poles which are lighter than alpine ski poles.

You’ll want lighter poles because you have to swing them with each step.

Classic cross-country skiing is the most natural motion on skis. It consists of taking steps while holding poles and using skis as feet. The kick, which presses into the snow “kick zone,” is the crucial component.

You can go slow or fast and reach high speeds by keeping the friction produced through the kick and kick zone.

Skating style is both fun and fast! Unlike classic cross-country skiing, skating doesn’t have any particular form or style, which is why it is also known as “free technique”.

The key to the skating technique is the v-shape: you push snow with the tip of your ski to increase your speed.

The glide is what makes skate skiing so enjoyable and fast. You can reach 30km/h on the wide skating trails if you’ve mastered the technique and sport a lighter ski. Even with steep uphill sections and sharp turns, you won’t have any issues with anything on the trail.

Once you’ve got the technique down, you’ll want to spend every minute outdoors in the snow . . . and during the winter season, you’ll get an excellent workout for your entire body!

If you’re searching for real freedom on skis, you might be interested in backcountry cross-country skiing. The skis in the backcountry range are made to handle a variety of terrains, in addition to being light and incorporating metal edges.

Even when traveling across higher mountain ranges or regions, you will feel agile and secure with these skis – in all types of snow conditions. While keeping your skis parallel, the motion of backcountry skiing is almost identical to traditional skiing, with a kick and glide phase.

Deep and fresh snow is where the skis feel most comfortable, rather than parallel tracks. Nordic skiing, which is quite popular in Scandinavia, is the most distinctive kind of skiing.

If you can step out of your home and cross fields, valleys, and woodlands without any trouble, you’ve discovered “real cross-country skiing.”

If you want to go cross-country skiing but don’t want to follow a trail and don’t mind climbing some hills, you can go backcountry skiing. Backcountry skiing is fantastic for experienced skiers who want a challenge.

You can go cross-country skiing in any forested area in Maine–obviously not where there are ‘keep out’ or ‘no trespassing’ signs.

If you want to go backcountry skiing, you’ll need to be sure to follow Leave No Trace principles. Make sure that you know how to navigate in the woods without a trail.

It’s important to practice safety when backcountry skiing even if you are heading out on a clear, sunny day.

Make sure to bring a first aid kit and emergency supplies in your pack. In case you are not within cell phone range, bring something like a Bivy Stick. A compass and map are always good ideas.

Cross-country skiing is a lot easier to get started with than downhill skiing or ice skating! Even so, it never hurts to get a few pointers if you are a beginner. Most of the places listed here where you can go cross-country skiing in Maine will offer some type of lessons or assistance.

However, here are three tried and true places to get a lesson.

L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Center in Freeport offers a variety of lessons on both types of cross-country skiing.

Dave and Anne Carter opened Carter’s XC Ski Center in Oxford, Maine in 1984. Dave’s theory was that, if people could walk, they could ski. He imagined that everyone would be able to cross-country ski. You can sign up for a variety of learn-to-ski packages.

Sugarloaf’s trails are easy and suitable for people of all skill levels. If you’re new to cross-country skiing, you can go to the Sugarloaf Adventure Center to sign up for lessons.

With so many beautiful places to go cross-country skiing in Maine, you’ll have tons of options. Whether you want to head way up north to Presque Isle or Fort Kent, or stick to places to cross-country ski right outside of Portland, you’ll find somewhere great on this list.

When you go cross-country skiing in Maine, you can enjoy the gorgeous scenery and experience a low-key sport in a beautiful environment. Cross-country skiing in Maine is great for beginners and experts alike due to the variety of terrains and trails you’ll find here.

Take a little time to experience Maine like you maybe never have–gliding through a beautiful winter forest in the solitude of a sunny, crisp, winter’s day.

If you love exploring the deep woods of Maine without a motorized vehicle, maybe you’ll be interested in dog sledding in Maine.

If you want more information about cross-country skiing in Maine, here’s some information from the State of Maine.