2020 Snow Report Week Five

The Maine Office of Tourism, in collaboration with Ski Maine Association and the Maine Snowmobile Association (MSA), reports that the long-range weather forecast is predicting an active storm cycle in the next few days, setting up the school vacation period with ultimate conditions in the mountains.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) snow depth map shows that the coast and central Maine have little snow, but in Aroostook, there are still many areas with 14 inches and up. The approaching storm will impact the depths significantly.

Skiing in Maine

The downhill areas in the mountains, now with ample snowfall and more to come, and the Nordic centers are in full swing. The Fort Kent Outdoor Center hosted the NorAm Biathlon competition this past weekend with near-perfect racing conditions. Racers from New England and beyond were impressed with the natural snowpack.

“The slightly warmer temperatures throughout January were positive for the ski business,” said Ski Maine Association’s executive director, Greg Sweetser. “The ski areas had several cold snowmaking periods, with warmer weekends that encouraged skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the conditions.”

Exciting news on the ski front is the recent purchase of Saddleback ski area on January 31, with plans to reopen for the 2020/2021 winter season.

Beyond the great skiing conditions and hundreds of well-groomed trails, Maine ski areas also boast delicious food, local craft beer, family-friendly events, fat tire biking rentals, snow tubing, and now at Sugarloaf and Sunday River, snow bikes, for an additional winter outdoor activity.

Learn more about the downhill and Nordic centers at www.skimaine.com.

Maine Snowmobiling

Once again, the anticipated snowfall is expected to refresh the trails and improve snowmobile conditions. The conditions in the following areas are of interest this week:

• Aroostook County: Fort Kent, Eagle Lake, ITS 81 and 83
• The Katahdin region
• The Forks

Before heading out on a ride, be sure to check the current trail conditions.

The snowmobile club community throughout the state is an active one, with regular events. Upcoming this weekend is a blessing of the sleds put on by the Mexico Trailblazers and Dixfield’s Poodunck Snowmobile Club, a public chili and chowder supper and auction held by the Pine Tree Snowmobile Club of Milford and a public breakfast organized by the Lexington Highlanders Snowmobile Club. For additional snowmobile events and details, click here.

More Maine Winter Fun

One of Maine’s most beloved and amusing winter celebrations will take place this Friday through Sunday; the 2020 U.S. National Toboggan Championship. The 6^th Annual Acadia Winter Festival at Schoodic Institute will also be held throughout the weekend, with educational activities, workshops and presentations.

The snow reports, released each Wednesday throughout the season, will be posted on VisitMaine.com, where visitors can also find information on other winter activities and events. People enjoying the Maine winter are encouraged to share their photos on social media using #MaineWinter.

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Editor’s Note: Click on the image above or this link to access a Dropbox of Maine winter images.