"People really wanted to ski," Sugarloaf spokesman Ethan Austin said. "They didn't want this to be one of the things the pandemic took away from them."
Alpine touring numbers climb at Maine ski areas
Only time will tell if the trend translates into more backcountry skiers in remote wilderness areas.
Share
Dan Elliott of Rumford uses Alpine touring equipment to travel up Rumford Whitecap before skiing down. Backcountry skiing has been growing in popularity, but skiers must be versed in wilderness survival skills and know how to survive in avalanche country.
Dan Elliott photo
More skiers are embracing uphill travel, also called Alpine touring, at Maine ski resorts – and more ski areas are catering to those who opt to hike up instead of take the chairlifts.
Maine Nordic centers see a spike in skiers this winter
Cross-country ski areas in central and western Maine are getting more skiers during the pandemic. And after last week s Nor easter, Nordic centers in southern Maine may rebound from a dry January.
Share
Liza Goss, right, of Wiscasset and Nell Houde of Jefferson head out to ski at Quarry Road Trails in Waterville on Jan. 30. The two friends live in separate households and have been Nordic skiing as a way to safely spend time together in winter during the pandemic.
Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
WATERVILLE Childhood friends Liza Goss of Wiscasset and Nell Houde of Jefferson have been visiting with each other only on outdoor outings during the coronavirus pandemic. They hiked together in the summer; then met up to bike in the fall. And when winter came, both returned to Nordic skiing after years away from the sport.
Skiing: Resorts go into winter season with safety in mind centralmaine.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from centralmaine.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.