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Cross Country Skiing and
Snowshoeing in Bethel, Maine
PO Box 1247, Bethel, ME 04217
The
town of Bethel, Maine (Chamber of Commerce at 800-442-5826, www.bethelmaine.com)
is a historic village that offers 130 km of groomed xc ski trails
and is known as the Cross Country Ski Capital of Maine. It is home
to three xc centers, The Bethel Inn XC Ski and Snowshoe Center, Carter's
XC Ski Center, and Sunday River Inn XC Ski Center, that provide groomed
and tracked trails. The Bethel Inn trail network traverses the golf
course offering vistas of the surrounding mountains. Carter's XC Ski
Center ranges from trails along the Androscoggin River to the top
of Farwell Mountain offering views of the Presidential Range and Sunday
River Ski Resort's alpine trails. The Sunday River Inn Cross Country
Ski Center's trails meander through the woods to a picturesque covered
bridge. All centers are canine friendly as are several inns. The family
pet is welcome to join his masters on the xc vacation package, some
restrictions apply.
Bethel was settled in 1774 and it has retained its small town lifestyle. One will not find nationally recognized retail or restaurant chains in Bethel village or any red traffic lights, either. In 1999, the town set the record with the Guinness Book for the World's Tallest Snowman, a towering 113 feet, 7 inches. Besides xc skiing and snowshoeing at groomed xc ski centers, there's backcountry guided tours with the Outward Bound School in Newry, dogsledding outfitters and snowmobile tours in the White Mountain National Forest. Many of the businesses in Bethel including the xc ski centers below organize special events on winter weekends and vacation weeks to encourage people to get out and enjoy the snow.
The
Mountain Explorer is a free shuttle that links the xc ski areas, the
village and Maine's largest alpine ski area, Sunday River in Newry,
ME. The access road to the alpine area has restaurants such as the Sunday
River Brewing Company. Main Street has many of the area's shops and
restaurants such as Suds Pub and the Bethel Historical Society. The
town has a movie theater and the Big Adventure Center with bowling,
laser tag and more. A complete list of retail, restaurant and lodging
businesses in Bethel by category can be found at www.bethelmaine.com.
The Golden Glides Silver Strides is a midweek package (Sun-Thur) for seniors that includes 2 nights accommodations, 3 day trail pass, demo xc ski and snowshoe equipment to use, a daily lesson or guided tour and granola snack bar, all for $199 per person double occupancy. Check directly with the inns below or other lodging establishments found at the chamber's Web site.
The Sunday River Cross Country Ski Center (207-824-2410, www.sundayriverinn.com) is at the Sunday River Inn on the Sunday River access road. For a full page of info click Sunday River XC Ski Center. It has 40 km of groomed and tracked trails and skating lanes, 12 km of snowshoe trails, as well as 2 km lit for night skiing. It’s family oriented, with skier friendly trail design, warming shelters, a groomed dog trail, a downhill practice area and instruction. A full ski shop is on site and there are rental equipment for xc ski, snowshoeing and telemark skiing. There are rooms at the inn with central bath facilities and private baths and an overnight rustic camp called Camp Ella on the ski trails. Ice skating, snowshoeing and an outdoor hot tub and sauna round out the amenities. CCSAA member
The
Bethel Inn Cross-Country Ski Center (207-824-2175,
www.bethelinn.com) is behind
the hotel, and it links with 40 km of marked and groomed trails. Rentals,
lessons and evening sleigh rides are available. The Bethel Inn also
has instruction in telemark skiing. If you’re a novice Nordic skier,
this is a great place to learn as many of the trails are quite gentle.
Midweek, the trail fee is also good for entrance to the outdoor heated
pool, sauna and fitness center. There is a pub and a restaurant at the
Inn. CCSAA member
Carter's Cross-Country Ski Center (207-539-4848, www.cartersxcski.com), provides another alternative for skinny skis, with 25 km of tracks and one of the best panarama views of the Presidential and Mahoosic Mountain ranges. Lessons, xc ski and snowshoe rental equipment are available. CCSAA member
Bethel is 70 miles northwest of Portland, ME and 15 miles from the New Hampshire border. It is where US Route 2 and Maine Routes 5 and 26 converge.
