Wondering what to do during the long Maine winter? This blog has you covered!
For those willing to brave the elements, Maine offers a variety of outdoor winter activities.
Skiing and Snowboarding: You have probably heard of Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Saddleback, but did you know Maine also has smaller mountains that you can ski or snowboard? These smaller, recreational mountains are great for the whole family, and beginners. These smaller mountains are typically less crowded, and more affordable. For a list of ski resorts in Maine, click here.
Ice fishing and snowmobiling: These activities are both weather dependent, but are both quite popular among Mainers. For a beginner’s guide to ice fishing, visit the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife’s website. Be sure to follow all state laws and regulations to ensure a fun time out on the ice; and dress appropriately to stay warm! For a snowmobile trail map, click here. For a safe riding experience, adhere to all signage, wear a helmet, and follow these tips. Looking to get a new sled? We do snowmobile loans!
Community Activities: Visit your town or cities’ Parks and Recreation website to check out upcoming activities in your area. Some popular free programs include ice skating, craft fairs, tree lightings, and winter festivals. VisitPortland.com lists upcoming events, and things to do in the greater Portland area. With their event calendar, you can filter events to fit your interests, and find things to do that you will enjoy. Another resource that lists upcoming events is portlandmaine.com. If you are looking to join a sports league, reach out to your local Parks and Recreation department. Pineland Farms in New Gloucester has a variety of family friendly activities, such as snowshoeing, farmyard story time, skating and more!
If the cold outdoors isn’t for you, and you have run out of episodes to watch of your favorite show, try out some of these indoor activities that you can do right at home!
Try out a new recipe: During a warm summer night, you may not want to turn your oven on. The cold winter is the perfect time to try out a new dish, or bake a new treat! Go outside your comfort zone and find a recipe of something you have never made before. There are plenty of free recipes online. They will provide shopping lists and instructions. Find a few that you think you would enjoy and try them out! You may find a new favorite.
Start a virtual book club: As we all learned over the past few years, you can meet with people anytime, anywhere. You can start a book club with your friends all around the world, and meet virtually on Zoom or another virtual meeting platform. Start by finding friends that are interested and then choose a book together. This can be a great way to stay in touch with people, without having to leave your home! If you don’t have a group of interested people, there are many virtual book clubs you can join online.
Learn a new skill, or pickup a new hobby: We all had those things that we told ourselves we would learn when we were stuck inside for the pandemic. What was on your list that you did not complete? Try something that you have always wanted to while you are too cold to leave the house. Try to learn a new instrument, start journaling, learn a new board game, tackle an indoor home improvement project, take an online course, or anything that you have been putting off.
Game Night: Whether it’s classics like Chutes and Ladders or Sorry with the kids, a group of friends getting together to play Risk or Settlers of Catan, or an ongoing game like D&D, Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering, games are gaining popularity among all ages. It’s a great way spend time with friends and family, have fun, and break up the day to day routine. Winter is a great time to get a game night going, so gather the family, invite some friends, and have everyone bring their favorite table game. Many community centers or game stores have game nights you can join for free or a small fee.
For a longer list of activities to keep your kids entertained, check out this article with 35 ideas to get you through the winter!