Maine winter destinations

Vacationing in Maine during the winter is thrillin, chillin, snowy, cozy, frosty fun! Here are some ideas on where to go in Maine during the winter.

1. Ski Country

If you’re a winter sportsman, you’ll love Sunday River or Sugarloaf during the wintertime. For ski buffs, Sugarloaf is the highest mountain with over 130 ski trails. You can also visit Rangeley Lake for some great ice fishing opportunities as well! Of course, Maine’s Western Lakes and Mountains region is a great place to spend vacation during the winter attracting many ski and snowboard enthusiasts including Sunday River in Newry, Shawnee Peak in Bridgton, or Sugarloaf in Carrabassett Valley.

2. Bar Harbor

Some attractions are closed during the winter but most are accessible including Loop Road leading to Sand Beach, Thunder Hole where you can enjoy the scenic winter landscape. While the road to the summit of Cadillac Mountain is closed, you can still hike or take your snowmobile to the top. Parts of the carriage roads are maintained for x-country skiing as well and you can rent equipment, including snow shoes at Cadillac Mountain Sports in Bar Harbor. In winter you can get great deals on lodging in Bar Harbor, as well as easy to score tables at a few nice restaurants.

3. Bangor

We recommend visiting Bangor. Its similar to Portland with a younger population thanks to community colleges and universities, Bangor has more opportunities for winter recreation. The DeMeritt Forest Trail System in Orono is open to the public where you can even rent x country ski equipment at the University of Maine’s Recreation Center, or you if you have your own equipment, you can visit the Bangor City Forest with miles of maintained trails. Bangor has the amenities of the city with the Bangor Mall and plenty of lodging options, restaurants and bars open throughout the year.

4. Kennebunkport

This seaside town celebrates winter with a Kennebunkport Christmas Prelude prior to Christmas, a Polar Plunge on New Years Day at the beach, a Paint the Town Red celebration in February around romantic valentines day…so its fun and festive in winter! Seaside bnbs and inns offer lodging specials during their slow season,