Invite 76 // Feb 5

This week's newsletter is celebratory, with a handful of organizations hosting Winterfest events. Although weather often spoils these events, the forecast is looking good for winter activities like sledding, skiing, fat biking, and even skijoring.

It can be easy to bunker down this time of year. I hope you resist the urge and jump on the free opportunities provided by these community events.

✌️ Max

Disclaimer Time: Nature is unpredictable and events change. Always double-check the organization's event page before heading out.

Black Mountain Winterfest

Wed, Feb 5 - Sun, Feb 9 | Rumford | Free

Celebrate winter at Black Mountain with 5 days of festivities, including free ski night, sleigh rides, live music, and the last skier standing competition.

​Learn more​

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Winter Fun Day at Mt. Blue State Park

Sat, Feb 8 | Weld | Free

A day of fun at Mount Blue featuring ice skating, tote sled rides, outdoor fires with hot chocolate, and free ski and snowshoe rentals.

​Learn more​

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Full Moon Ski Tour

Mon, Feb 10 | New Gloucester | Paid

Break up the workweek monotony for a Monday night ski at Pineland Farms under a full moon.

​Learn more​

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Fat-Bike 101 Class

Tue, Feb 11 - Sat, Feb 22 | New Gloucester | Paid

Learn the basics of winter fat biking in this 2-part workshop hosted by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine with rentals available from Pineland Farms.

​Learn more​

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Full Moon Snowshoe Hike @ Hurricane Valley Farm

Wed, Feb 12 | Falmouth | Free

Join the Falmouth Land Trust for a full-moon snowshoe tour at Hurricane Valley Farm just up the road from Portland.

​Learn more​

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Somerset SnowFest

Fri, Feb 14 - Sat, Feb 22 | Canaan | Free

Of all the winter celebrations across the state, Somerset Snowfest might be the most extreme. Scheduled activities include an ice-fishing derby, a kite-flying derby, a downhill kayak race, a winter triathlon, and skijoring 🐎⛷️.

​Learn more​

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Mahoosuc Land Trust Winterfest

Sat, Feb 15 - Sat, Feb 22 | Bethel | Free

Bethel's Winterfest features a trail walk with llamas, snowshoeing, snowball cornhole, a winter bird walk, sledding, a bonfire with cocoa and cookies, and more.

​Learn more​

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Winter Outdoor Extravaganza

Sat, Feb 15 | Poland | Free

Head to Range Pond for this free winter festival. It features outdoor activities hosted by 14 different partners, such as an ice fishing clinic, an introduction to snowmobiling, and ice sculpting.

​Learn more​

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Portland Bike Party

Sun, Feb 16 | Portland | Free

Portland Bike Party doesn't slow down in the winter. Keep an eye on their Instagram for meet-up details about the next group ride.

​Learn more​

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Farm-to-Farm snowshoe

Mon, Feb 17 | Bridgton | Free

Ski or snowshoe from Narramissic Farm to Five Fields Farm and back, or catch the courtesy shuttle back to make it a one-way trip.

​Learn more​

Better with friends. Some of life's best outdoor experiences are shared with others. Share this newsletter with a friend to inspire your next group adventure by forwarding this email or sharing a link to subscribe.

Previously Featured & Upcoming

​Inclusive Ski Touring: Open to All Program | Sun, Jan 5 - Sun, Mar 16 | Paid​

​Camp Adventures for Grown-ups: Chilling Out! | Fri, Feb 7 - Sun, Feb 9 | Paid​

​MCCP Moonlight Challenge | Fri, Feb 7 | Donation Based​

​Women's Winter Skills Weekend | Fri, Feb 7 - Sun, Feb 9 | Paid​

​Ladies Winter Classic Pond Hockey Tournament | Sat, Feb 8 | Paid​

​Maine Pond Hockey Classic | Fri, Feb 14 - Sun, Feb 16 | Paid​

​Alpine Feast 2025 | Sat, Mar 1 | Paid​

​Katahdin Winter Mountaineering | Sat, Mar 1 - Sun, Mar 2 | Paid​

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Trail Log: Share your Experience

Have 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.

📝 Beginner Cross Country Ski Trip at Medawisla Lodge - Mon, Jan 20 - Thu, Jan 23​

📝 Get Out! Nature Walk: Winter Wildlife Tracking - Wed, Jan 22​

📝 Free Night Skiing at Black Mountain - Wed, Jan 22​

📝 WinterKids Family Day at Quarry Road Trails - Sat, Jan 25​

📝 Bradbury Mountain Snowshoe Race - Sun, Jan 26​

📝 Queer Touring Day - Sun, Jan 26​

📝 Rangeley Fat Bike Loppet - Sun, Jan 26​

📝 Guided Forest Bathing - Tue, Jan 28​

📝 Free Night Skiing at Black Mountain - Wed, Jan 29​

📝 Long Pond Lunar New Year Community Sauna - Wed, Jan 29​

📝 Toboggan Championships 2025 - Fri, Jan 31 - Sun, Feb 2​

📝 Winter Wildlife Tracking - Sat, Feb 1​

📝 Beginner Nordic Ski to Flagstaff Lake Hut - Sat, Feb 1​

📝 Winterfest at Viles Arboretum - Sat, Feb 1​

📝 Ski and Snowshoe Trailer: Bradbury State Park - Sat, Feb 1 - Sun, Feb 2​

📝 Queer Cross County Skiing - Sun, Feb 2​

Your responses help us decide which events to feature again and motivate the newsletter's continued creation.

The Maine Outsider is your invitation to get outside. Our mission is to connect you with outdoor organizations offering impactful events and experiences around the state.

We monitor 300+ organizations 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 us know.

Thanks for reading. Now, get out there!