There are so many winter activities in Maine to discover. All around Wolf Cove Inn, our bed and breakfast in Maine, there’s a new world to explore once Mother Nature has turned our region into a snowy winter wonderland. So grab your snowshoes, cross-country skis, alpine skis, skijoring gear (wait for it!), fat tire bikes, ice skates, sleds, or fishing gear, and come on by. Read on to learn about our favorite winter activities in Maine.
Fun Winter Activities on the Trail
Feeling adventurous? Take place in the many fun winter activities on the gorgeous trails of Maine’s Lakes Region. Enjoy Maine safely in all seasons by reviewing trail information and bringing the right gear.
Snowshoeing
There are lots of great snowshoeing options in our area. Snowshoeing is great for beginners who want to hit up the groomed or local hiking trails. Here are some places we recommend snowshoeing:
- The trails at Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford (weekend rentals available on-site) — 10 minutes from the inn
- Groomed cart paths at the Poland Spring Golf Course — 10 minutes from the inn
- Robert’s Farm in Norway (borrow snowshoes at the warming hut) — 20 minutes away
- Pineland Farms in New Gloucester — 25 minutes away
- Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal (bring your snowshoes) — 30 minutes from the inn
Guests also frequently enjoy the Norway Snowshoe Festival. Norway, Maine, was once the snowshoe manufacturing capital of the world. Events celebrating this history include:
- A world championship snowshoe wife carry
- A fireman’s snowshoe tug of war
- A moonlight snowshoe up Noyes Mountain
- The Mellie Dunham Henry Ford Contra Dance
Nordic Skiing
There are several local Nordic skiing sites in the area, some with rental shops on site:
- Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn — 20 minutes from the Inn
- Pineland Farms (rentals available) in New Gloucester
- Bradbury Mountain State Park in Pownal
- Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford (most days, you can grab a beer or three after three at the brewery)
- Robert’s Farm in Norway (pick up equipment in the warming hut for free)
Fat Tire Biking
Our area has a few great locations for fat tire biking. Bring your bike to any of these locations:
- Oxbow Beer Garden in Oxford
- Pineland Farms in New Gloucester (you can reserve bikes with them)
- Robert’s Farm in Norway
Need for Speed | Thrilling Winter Activities
Looking for more of an adrenaline rush? These vigorous winter activities will have you working up a sweat and are great for thrill seekers:
Dog Sledding
Wondering about dog sledding in Maine? Located in Canton and a beautiful scenic 40 minutes from the Wolf Cove Inn, you’ll find the home base for the Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience. Alex is a professional racer who’ll take great care of you. He offers tours ranging from one hour to the Ultimate Experience, a three-day adventure where you mush your team of dogs on the third day.
Skijoring
Take your pup on an adventure with you! Skijoring is simply X-C skiing with a dog assist! Grab your pup and some cross-country skis (no metal edges, please), and head to any of these trails:
- Carter XC Ski Center offers an incredible 68 miles of skijoring trails.
- Five Fields Farm in Bridgton has 12.5 miles of skijoring trails.
- Quarry Road Recreation Area in Waterville offers 3 miles of trails for skijoring.
Downhill Skiing
If you are looking at skiing in Maine, you have downhill skiing options near and far:
- Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn, Maine — A great learn-to-ski, beginner and intermediate experience (20 minutes from Wolf Cove Inn).
- Shawnee Peak Ski Area in Bridgton, Maine — A mid-sized mountain with great scenery (30 minutes from the Inn).
- Sunday River Ski Resort in Bethel, Maine — One of Maine’s biggest and most popular ski areas (50 minutes from the Inn).
- Sugarloaf Mountain Ski Resort in Carrabassett Valley — An inn favorite, the big boy of Maine has lots of challenging terrain (2 hours from the Inn).
- Mt Abram in Greenwood, Maine — Another popular spot that’s only 45 minutes away from the inn and provides classic Maine skiing (and year-round adventures).
Snowmobiling
Bring your own and use any of the many snowmobile trails coursing through the woods in our area. The best place for information is the local snowmobile clubs:
Or head to Fryeburg and rent equipment at Northeast Snowmobile.
Snow Tubing
Head to Seacoast Adventure for snow tubing in Maine! Your fee gets you the tube and two hours to use their tubing lanes and rope tow. Tickets may be purchased online. Be sure to check out their terms and conditions before you buy.
Sledding
Pineland Farms in nearby New Gloucester has groomed sledding trails. So bring your favorite Flexible Flyer, toboggan, or flying saucer disk and relive those childhood memories.
Romantic and Leisurely Activities
If you’re looking for something you can take at a more leisurely pace, or if you’re looking for a more romantic setting, these winter activities have you covered:
Ice Skating
Ice skating is one of the popular winter activities in Maine. You can head out our doorstep onto Tripp Lake to skate if the snow isn’t too deep. Our town of Poland also has a rink in the municipal area right off Route 26 (skate rental available).
Further from the inn, Norway has a rink on Cottage Street that is lit until 10 PM, and Lakeside Norway plows a section of Lake Pennesseewassee Park. It’s just past the downtown section on Route 117, 61 Lake Road. Pineland Farms in New Gloucester also has a skating pond on site. Availability is subject to weather and conditions. Bring your skates!
Romantic Sleigh Rides
What’s more romantic than a horse-drawn sleigh ride? Carousel Horse Farm in nearby Casco (about 10–15 minutes from Wolf Cove Inn) offers several sleigh ride options. Enjoy a romantic couple’s ride in its red sleigh. Or go out with a group in its larger sleigh. Call (207) 627-4471 for questions or reservations.
High View Farm in Harrison is about 30 minutes from the Inn and offers private sleigh rides. Call (207) 595-1601 for questions or reservations.
Sauna & Spa Treatments
Looking to be pampered? Indulge in rejuvenation and relaxation at Wolf Cove Inn’s Panorama Sauna. Nestled right against Tripp Lake, our sauna offers incredible views. We also offer various services, such as massages, “Fire & Ice Therapy,” and aromatherapy.
Ice Fishing
Enjoy ice fishing right out our back door on Tripp Lake. The lake has large and smallmouth bass, pickerel, and trout. While the Wolf Cove Inn does not stock fishing equipment, nearby Shaker Hill Outdoors can hook you up.
A Winter Wedding
You have many options for your elopement or intimate winter wedding. Few can rival the beauty of a lakeside wedding at sunset in a gorgeous snowscape. Wolf Cove Inn has many Maine elopement packages to customize your elopement or intimate wedding to your needs.
Enjoy Winter Activities at Wolf Cove Inn
To fuel all these winter activities in Maine, you want to begin your day with a delicious Wolf Cove Inn breakfast. After a day full of winter activities, relax in your romantic room with a fireplace and jetted tub to soothe those sore muscles. Watch the sunset with gourmet-style s’mores around the fire pit.
We would love to help make your winter getaway unforgettable. Book now to start your adventure.
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