13 Fantastic Things to Do in Maine in Winter ❄️ 2024

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There are so many things to do in Maine in winter, and who better to tell you than a Mainer who loves the winter!

When the temperature drops and the days shorten, a fair number of avid outdoor enthusiasts have a tough time adjusting.  After a sunny summer of warm alfresco adventures, it’s a difficult adjustment to feel cooped up with significantly less daylight.  We feel it even more so in Maine—the Downeast coast gets the sunrise before anyone else each morning, and in the summer first light can come well before 4:30am. 

The obvious fix for those outdoor junkies during the winter is, clearly, skiing.  It’s likely the first thing most people think about in terms of winter sports.  It’s an exhilarating hobby and loads of fun, though it can quickly get pricey and it’s just not for everyone.

To that end, check out these Maine winter ideas like snowshoeing, ice skating, and winter hiking to stay active, get some fresh air, and have an adventure-packed Maine winter. 

Editor’s Note: What to Expect in a Maine Winter

Maine in the winter is COLD. Expect snow and freezing temps for most of December through March, with actual snowfall and temps varying across the state. Coastal Maine typically sees between 50 – 70 inches of annual snowfall, while inland Maine typically sees between 60 – 110 inches in a year.

This of course, is what makes the Vacation State such a winter wonderland! If you were wondering if Maine in December would be snowy and cold, the answer is most often a resounding YES, so you’ll need a warm winter coat, gloves, scarf, hat, and proper footwear.

In cold and snowy winter weather, you’ll want to ensure that your tires have proper tread on them, too. Safety first, my friends! Have fun on your Maine winter vacation.

Read Next: Our guide to the best New England winter getaways!

Best Things to Do in Maine in Winter

1. Try Maine Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing, just like skiing, shares its roots as a traditional and necessary mode of backcountry transportation during the deep winter snowed-in months when walking just wouldn’t cut it.

It might not be too necessary for the modern world, but it’s an absolute blast for a winter outing and great excuse for a drive out to the country.

Maine has a storied history of snowshoe craftsmanship tracing back to indigenous groups inhabiting North America long before ships from Europe made the transatlantic journey—picture the large, beautiful wooden style often hung in lodges as a show piece. 

While the modern form is lighter, smaller, easier to use, and much more cost effective, it’s worth noting that traditionally crafted wooden snowshoes are still made the same way they have been for hundreds and hundreds of years, usually as a skill passed down through each family generation. 

Woman snowshoeing through the snow with the sun peeking out behind the trees in the distance.
Snowshoeing is a classic Maine winter activity.

A few inches of well-packed snow, and you’re ready go rock. Snowshoeing has enjoyed a meteoric rise in popularity in the last ten years as the gear has gotten lighter and less pricey, and you’ll find countless people traipsing through Maine’s cross-country skiing trails strapped into a pair of lightweight snowshoes. 

Light enough, in fact, that you can sling them to your backpack if needed and swap between them and a pair of boots when unknown terrain makes an appearance.  

Just about any flat hiking trail or even uphill trails without too many rocks can be perfect for a snowshoe outing. With its increased popularity as a winter sport, some businesses have even started catering to the snowshoe crowd.

Case in point: Oxbow Brewing’s newest location in Oxford, Maine has miles and miles of snowshoeing and cross-country trails just beyond its taproom. After working up a sweat on the trails, grab a cold beer, some pizza from their wood-fired oven, and hang by the bonfire outback.

2. Visit Maine Ski Resorts

Alpine skiing is definitely one of those must do Maine activities to do in the winter that you’ve got to experience at least once. Maine has some incredible winter resorts that offer downhill skiing, cross country skiing trails, snow tubing, and of course, excellent après ski fun.

⛷️ These are some of the top ski resorts in Maine to add to your winter bucket list ⛷️

❄️ Would you rather hit the XC trails? Check out these popular Nordic skiing trails in Maine ❄️

Quarry Road Trails, Waterville ME

Penobscot River Trails, Grindville ME

Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island ME

3. Take a Maine Ice Fishing Trip

There’s no need to put the fishing gear away just because it’s winter! Maine’s ice fishing season runs from January through the end of March and you can get a license just about anywhere you’d get worms or tackle. 

You’ll find a number of Mainers that prefer the ice fishing season. Warm hot cocoa (or maybe something a big stronger…hmm) bundled up in an ice shack while you patiently wait for a nibble on your line is a pretty solid way to spend a cold winter weekend.

Maine’s biggest lakes and wilderness regions that flourish with summertime tourism—Rangeley, Moosehead, and Millinocket to name a few—are just as active during Maine ice fishing season. 

Cabin rentals and camps filled with rustic wood beam greatrooms and roaring hearths lead their guests right out onto the lake for ice fishing derbies with licensed Maine guides. Beer and wine are flowing, grills are fired up, and everything from landlocked salmon to trout and white fish are pulled from the frigid waters.

A man sitting on a frozen lake ice fishing in the snow, with the sun rising in the distance.
As far as Maine winter activities go, ice fishing is one that can be just as fun to go alone as it can be with others.

Added bonus: the elaborate ice shacks locals drag out onto the lake have turned into their own kind of winter sport, with a playful amount of one-upmanship over stove size, build quality, and décor. 

It’s basically a microcosm of the real estate market with tiny cabins and lots of flannel—you’ll take a million pictures worth sharing.  Dress warm, bring extra layers, pack your camera, and test your patience; ice fishing on a glassed-over lake while the smell of grilled lunch and local brews wafts through the air is about as Maine as it gets. 

When it comes to things to do in Maine in winter, this one is hard to beat.

Wondering where to go ice fishing in Maine? Start with these popular spots:

Wilson’s on Moosehead Lake, Greenville Junction ME

Twin Maple Outdoors, Bradford ME

Northwoods Outfitters, Greenville ME

4. Go Snow Tubing

Ahhh snow tubing, always one of the top kid winter things to do in Maine, and let’s be honest, everywhere there’s snow.

Snow tubing is one of the most popular winter activities in Maine and beyond, and a part of its draw is that it’s just such a rewarding activity… yeah, you have to climb the hill (or ride up on the fancy magic carpet in some spots) but then you get the glory of just sitting back and enjoying the ride on the way back down!

No lessons needed, snow tubing is about as easy as Maine winter experiences get, so even if you’ve never done it before, consider giving it a go.

Here are some of the most popular Maine snow tubing spots:

5. Attend Maine Winter Events

If you’re looking for things to do in Maine in the winter that aren’t active outdoor sports, you’ve got plenty of options for Maine winter festivals and fun winter events to attend!

For example, there’s the Snowdeo in Rangeley to look forward to: you’ve got Casino Night, a chili chowder cook off, Poker Night, a live auction, fireworks, and more. This takes place from January 25 – 28, 2024 in Rangeley, Maine. You don’t have to be an athlete to get out and enjoy this Maine winter event!

Carnaval Maine Winter Festival, Portland ME

This fun annual event basically offers up all kinds of Maine winter fun! Enjoy ice sculpting demonstrations, check out live music, theatre, and comedy, pop into the Bites & Brews Igloo for a snack, and enjoy a variety of fun winter games fit the whole family.

This is definitely one of the top things to do in Portland, Maine in the winter.

2024 Winter Festival Info

This is a 10 day festival experience that typically occurs in mid to late February, so keep your eye out for exact details!

U.S. National Toboggan Championship, Camden ME

Have you got what it takes to be the next winner at the U.S. National Toboggan Championship? Form your team, design your sled, and fill out the proper forms, and you might just have a shot!

This fun annual event is one of the best things to do in Maine in February, with people coming to the Camden Snow Bowl from all around to compete and cheer on the competitors as they race down the track. This is just classic winter fun!

2024 U.S. National Toboggan Championship Info

February 2, 3, 4, 2024 in Camden, Maine

Annual Ice Harvest, South Bristol ME

Have you ever experienced the traditional ice harvesting process? Using historical tools and equipment, the Annual Ice Harvest demonstrates the painstakingly backbreaking work of traditional ice harvesting.

After the ice harvest, treats like hot dogs, chili, and hot chocolate refuel everyone after their hard winter work. This is such an interesting look back into the past.

2024 Annual Ice Harvest Info

Sunday, February 18, 2024, 11 pm – 3 pm at Thompson Pond

6. Try Dog Sledding

Before cars, before pavement, before electricity and trains and roads—there was Maine dog sledding.  The original mode of high-speed winter transit through Maine’s frost-clutched open fields remains an exhilarating option for an outdoor adventure and an important reminder of Maine’s far-flung history of exploration and ruggedness.

The guides offering dog sled outings have an unbelievable bond with their canine partners, and the dogs—properly trained and cared for—are likely having even more fun than you are.  The breeds used for sledding live to pull that sled.

A group of dogs pulling a person on a dog sled through the snow.
Dog sledding is probably one of the cutest of the Maine winter activities!

Exploding with energy as they work together, they race through the snow-covered countryside and glide over lakes and ponds encased in winter glass. Once you’re back, they collapse in a happy, tired pile of dog fur and panting tongues while slurping hot soup from their bowls. 

The relationship between humans and animals is at its best for this glimpse into Maine’s winter history, and all you have to do is bundle up and enjoy.  And what’s not to enjoy from that view: just inches above the snow, you’ve got a thrilling front row ticket as trees and shrubs whip by opening into stunning vistas around tight turns.

Some excursions are just a few hours, but some turn into an overnight stay at a cozy lodge with home cooked meals and roaring bonfires while the pups snooze after a hard day’s work.

Here are some Maine dog sledding options for you:

7. Enjoy Tobagganing and Sledding in ME

Maine is home to the US National Toboggan Championships, so you could say Mainers know a thing or two about this winter activity! As far as Maine winter endeavors go, this is a pretty accessible one, too.

Whether you’re a fan of tobagganing or sledding (they’re pretty darn similar, let’s be honest), there are plenty of great options for where to go sledding in Maine:

8. Explore Maine Winter Hikes

A fair number of hikers stick to just the warmer months for safety’s sake, but Maine winter hiking with the proper precautions and gear can actually be one of the safest times of year.  Consider the potential hazards of spring, summer, and fall hiking—mud, slippery leaves, high temperatures, unexpected rain creating slick conditions, twisted ankles with rocks and roots.

We’ve accustomed ourselves to those risks, clearly, but consider this: well-packed trails, micro-spikes on your feet, trekking poles for added stability, lots of layers, and plenty of cushioning from snow if you somehow take a tumble. 

Winter hiking in Maine is less busy, gorgeous, and safe for all skill levels as long as you take the right precautions; an attention to daylight, hike time, and weather conditions is more important with shorter days and cooler temps.

You’ll also need shoe spikes as well as good trekking poles, too.  But that’s really it. Most Mainers keep a pair (or even an extra pair) of micro-spikes in the back of the vehicle, anyway. 

Trail signs on a winter trail through a forest.
Winter hiking, Maine style!

One other consideration: while the trails may be safe and navigable, the roads there may not.  Always take a second to do a Google search for your favorite hike before committing to a winter outing and read the comment sections for info on winter access. 

A great example is Tumbledown Mountain out by Mount Blue State Park near Weld, Maine—the nearly two mile long dirt access road is not paved in the winter, so keep that on the warm weather list instead. 

It’s an especially great hiking season for those of us with bad knees—the snow underneath our footfalls helps cushion us and makes a winter hike lower impact. Grab a friend, pack a thermos of hot bourbon cider punch, and hit a winter trail for beautiful snowy peaks and gorgeous views.

For less than a day pass at a ski area you can head on down to your local outdoor gear shop and get outfitted with everything you need for a full Maine winter hiking season to stay in shape for those long summer hikes—give it a shot! 

9. Give Fat Biking a Go

Have you ever heard of fat biking? Well, you certainly can’t take a regular bike out onto the snow, so if you want to get around on two wheels during a snowy Maine winter, you’re going to need tires that are pretty thick to handle the snow… hence the term, fat bike.

Fat biking is one of those winter activities in Maine that most people can do, even if they’ve never done it before. The only real prerequisite is knowing how to ride a bike!

There are several areas around the state where you can get out on a fat bike and make your way down a picturesque snowy lane, like Sugarloaf Outdoor Center and Bethel Village Trails.

10. Consider Snowmobiling 

Though at times considered controversial by environmentalists or simply a nuisance due to the noise, there’s no doubting the importance of snowmobiling to Maine’s outdoor economy and winter tourism.

The Maine Office of Tourism notes 280 snowmobile clubs, 4,000 miles of uninterrupted trails connecting every region, and 10,000 miles of additional trails throughout Maine’s western expanse and northern reaches. 

With a cult-like following of enthusiasts and a full range of services associated with Maine snowmobiling—gas stations, diners, rentals, sport stores, lodges, guided tours—it’s an entire industry and wintertime way of life.

Snowmobiling in Maine is also a great way to reach secluded destinations and see tracts of pristine wilderness otherwise unconnected to Maine’s last outposts beyond towns and cities. 

People snowmobiling through the woods, surrounded by snow.
Controversial to some, Maine snowmobiling is here to stay.

You can go full in and drop a mortgage worth of money on equipment, trailers, helmets, and all kinds of gadgets, or simply rent it all by the day or half-day.  Guided tours through Maine’s deep winter kingdom can be just a day, or a full exploration of the backcountry over multiple days and multiple wilderness lodges.

These are some of the most beautiful places in Maine during winter.

If it hasn’t been obvious quite yet, Mainers have a serious cold weather obsession with cozy cabin vibes, and there’s nothing like a backwoods cabin and hot toddies after a full day of touring on snowmobile. 

11. Build a Bonfire

As noted above, winter in Maine is the perfect time for cozying up in a cabin in the woods, and what do we like to do in a cabin in the woods?

That’s right, build a bonfire! 

So maybe you don’t actually need to rent a cabin in the woods to build a bonfire, but hanging by the fire is an age-old activity that’s perfect for kicking back with friends or going one on one with that special someone. (Hint hint, add this to your list of romantic things to do in Maine in winter.)

Either way, bonfires are the perfect way to warm up on a cold Maine winter’s night. How else are those marshmallows going to get roasted?

Want to check out some of Maine’s coziest cabins? Here ya go!

12. Outdoor Ice Skating

Ice skating is a fun thing to do, but outdoor ice skating? That’s basically just quintessential winter in New England right there, and Maine in winter is perfect for outdoor ice skating.

There are several outdoor ice skating rinks in Maine, check these out:

13. Experience Maine at Christmas

I’d venture to say that Maine is one of the top Christmas destinations in the U.S. After all, if you’re looking for a White Christmas, you’re quite likely to find it!

Of course, there are plenty of festivities that you’ll want to check out to really lean into the Christmas in Maine experience, here are just a few:

Final Thoughts: Maine Winter Things to Do

There’s a time and a place for going into hibernation mode and enjoying Netflix and some good company (see the cozy cabin idea above), but for the most part? There are plenty of Maine winter things to do out there to keep you active and enjoying yourself all season long!

Read these next:

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