The Maine Outsider is a free newsletter curating outdoor events across the state. Our mission is simple — help you find the fun and help great organizations find you.
Maine Outsider: Invite 111 // Jan 7
Invite 111 // Jan 7Last weekend, I knocked off a personal Maine bucket list item: xc skiing the carriage roads of Acadia. After years of wanting to do it, the stars aligned: a free weekend, a sneaky downeast snowstorm in the forecast, and cheap offseason Bar Harbor hotels. I achieved bliss on mile 7 of the Around Mountain loop, gliding on a freshly groomed cliffside trail with Jordan Pond visible below. Ten days earlier, I was breaking trail through 16 inches of fresh powder on Bradbury Mountain, after brushing 5 inches of snow off my car in Portland and driving 20 minutes north to the jackpot zone of the same storm. Weather can be the great destroyer of a planned outing, but it can also be the magnificent unlock. Learning to interpret a forecast or check conditions can set you up for some of your most memorable days outside. I'll spare you my amateur forecasting lesson and boil it down to a few favorite winter weather resources and tips. NWS Climate Prediction Maps: Long-range forecasting is tricky, but these give you a general idea of what's likely to come in the next month NWS Snow Report Map: A continuously updated map of user-reported snow depth, which will show you how to find deep snow Facebook: Love it or hate it, Facebook is still where most groups post updates about conditions. For example, I looked at the Friends of Acadia page for grooming conditions Webcams: You can often scout conditions without leaving your home. I'll often check Moosehead Lake or Katahdin cams if I'm considering a trip north. Enough weather talk, on to the good stuff. ✌️ Max Reach 1,000 Maine outdoor enthusiasts while supporting a community resource. View sponsorship opportunities. Community Ski DaySat, Jan 10 | Rome | Free Experience cross-country skiing or snowshoeing at Quill Hill Preserve, with hot cocoa by the fire pit and opportunities to connect with 7 Lakes Alliance staff. Shuttle service available from Rome Corner Park & Ride. Winter Wildlife TrackingSun, Jan 11 | Scarborough | Free Explore Broadturn Farm while practicing wildlife tracking skills, identifying tracks and signs of local species along Silver Brook. Inclusive Ski Touring Women's ProgramSun, Jan 11 | Greenwood | Paid Grab one of the last spots for this weekend's beginner backcountry program at Mt. Abram, which features an inclusive space to learn splitboaridng or ski touring in a group setting. Six Rivers NEMBA Winter Night RidesWed, Jan 14 | Bath | Free Rebel against the cold by joining a night mountain or fatbike ride with Six Rivers NEMBA at trails around Bath, Brunswick, and Topsham in a casual, no-drop format. Free Ski NightWed, Jan 14 | Rumford | Free Enjoy a night of free skiing, snowboarding, and tubing at one of Maine's best small mountains, with equipment rentals available for a fee. Winter Birding AdventureSat, Jan 17 | Winter Harbor | Free Grab your binoculars and head out on a self-guided birding adventure set up by the Schoodic Institute, including warm drinks, snacks, and learning materials. Rangeley Fat Bike LoppetSun, Jan 25 | Rangeley | Paid Compete in a fat bike race at Rangeley Lakes Trail Center with options for both short and long courses, all while enjoying the winter scenery. Rangeley Pond Hockey FestivalFri, Feb 6 - Sun, Feb 8 | Rangeley | Paid Register a team or plan your trip as a spectator for one of Maine's best outdoor pond hockey tournaments at Haley Pond in Rangeley. Coming Up (Previously Featured)Inclusive Ski Touring: Open to All Program | Sat, Jan 10 | Paid Pond Cabin Yoga | Sat, Jan 10 | Paid Alpine Feast | Sat, Feb 28 | Paid Trail Log: Share your ExperienceHave you attended any of these recent activities? Use the quick check-in links(30 seconds or less) to log your attendance and share your experience. 📝 Gardens Aglow - Wed, Nov 26 - Sat, Jan 3 📝 Six Rivers NEMBA Winter Night Rides - Wed, Dec 24 📝 Christmas Break Learn to Ski & Snowboard - Mon, Dec 29 - Thu, Jan 1 📝 New Year’s Open House at Beech Hill - Thu, Jan 1 📝 First Day Hike at Camden Hills State Park - Thu, Jan 1 📝 Polar Bear Dip & Dash - Sun, Jan 4 Your responses help us decide which events to feature again and motivate the newsletter's continued creation. 👋 I'm Max. I created the Maine Outsider to help people connect with organizations offering outdoor events and experiences around the state. I monitor 300+ newsletters, but can't know everything. If you're hosting an event or have a tip about an upcoming experience, use our tip line to let me know. Thanks for reading. Now, get out there! |
The Maine Outsider
The Maine Outsider is a free newsletter curating outdoor events across the state. Our mission is simple — help you find the fun and help great organizations find you.