February 3, 2025

Maine Ski Resort News

Newry-SundayRiverMaine’s ski areas have made significant improvements for the season, including unveiling long-planned expansions. Sunday River significantly upgraded its snowmaking system for the 2024-2025 season. It added 160 high-efficiency automated HKD snow guns across the mountain, designed to increase snow coverage and have minimal environmental impact. Sunday River also joined the Mountain Collective pass system this season. Sugarloaf completed the West Mountain Expansion, which includes the new Bucksaw Express chairlift that provides access to 12 new beginner and intermediate trails. The new chair greatly increases skiable terrain. They also upgraded snowmaking capabilities in this area. In the Village, a new L.L.Bean Outlet store has opened.  At Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton, the former Summit Triple was replaced by a high-speed detachable quad that was formerly the old Jordan Express at Sunday River. The new chair has cut the ride time to the summit in half, sending skiers and riders to the top of the mountain in just 4.5 minutes.

Maine’s Aroostook County Knows How to Celebrate Winter

dogsledding-maineThe Third Annual SnowBowl in Aroostook County will span eight days, from February 26- March 2, 2025. This “Winter in the County” celebration focuses on snowmobiling in Maine and will be held in Mars Hill, Presque Isle, Caribou Limestone, and Van Buren. This year’s events include a Guided Snowmobile Ride, Hill Climb Racing at BigRock, A World Class Magic Show, Groomer Operators Competition, Demo Snowmobile Rides, SnoCross & Vintage Snowmobile Racing, and a Block Party on Main Street, Presque Isle featuring a Rave X Stunt Show and a rock show put on by AD/HD, an AC/DC Tribute Band out of Boston. The event includes food trucks and vendors. Details at SnowBowl.

The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races Kick Off in Fort Kent, Maine on March 1, 2025 on Main Street in Fort Kent. Teams from the US and Canada will take a route alongside Route 161 and pick up the Heritage Trail snowmobile trail. The race will run from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, go to The Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races.

Winterpaloozah to be Held in Rangeley

Winterpaloozah is a yearly winter festival in Rangeley at Haley Pond and the Town Park. You can expect events for all ages, including ice skating, sledding, horse-drawn wagon rides, pond hockey, snowshoeing, ice golf, and curling at this year’s festival on February 17, 2025. There will be marshmallow roasting, the famous Dog Keg Pull, the Kids Cardboard Sled, Buoy Ball, Firewood Toss, Saucer Bowling, and Dog Sled Rides. This is a free event (except for the Dog Keg Pull & Dog Sled Rides) but donations to the Rangeley Skating Club and the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce, the event hosts, will gladly be accepted.

Maine’s James Beard Award Semifinalists Announced

Ten Maine chefs and restaurants have been announced as semifinalists in the 2025 James Beard Awards. The nominations this year include Havana in Bar Harbor for Outstanding Restaurant; Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm from Fish & Whistle in Biddeford for Emerging Chef; Brant Dadaleares from Gross Confection Bar for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker; Taj Indian Cuisine in South Portland for Outstanding Hospitality; The Abbey in Brunswick for Best New Bar; Mary Allen Lindemann from Coffee By Design for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service; and Nathaniel Meiklejohn from The Jewel Box for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Lee Frank from Lee Frank’s in South Berwick and Wells, Jordan Rubin from Mr Tuna, and Jake Stevens from Leeward were each nominated for Best Chef: Northeast. The final list of nominees will be released on April 2nd, and the awards ceremony will occur on Monday, June 16th, in Chicago.

Maine Winter Wednesdays

maine-diningWinter Wednesdays is a new campaign to appeal to diners during the traditional slow season for restaurants. Participating restaurants, bars, bakeries, and coffee shops will offer a range of specials through March 26, 2025, with the aim of making this an annual event. Dozens of eateries throughout the state have signed up. In Portland, they range from Boone’s Fish House & Oyster Room and Salt Yard Cafe + Bar to Evo and Holy Donuts. The Front Street Pub

in Belfast, Sea Glass at Inn by the Sea in Cape Elizabeth, and The Boathouse Restaurant in

Kennebunkport have also joined the ranks. Look for these Wednesday specials at The Rangeley Inn & Tavern in Rangeley, the Ship’s Cellar Pub in York, and The Maine Beer Company in Freeport, among many other participants. Details at Winter Wednesdays.