Where to take a mid-winter getaway without leaving Maine
Take a break from the pandemic by visiting a different area of the state, whether your thing is scenic drives and small-town charm, or skiing, hiking and snowmobiling.
Daryn Slover/Sun Journal
While we’re pivoting on everything else, why not adjust Maine’s most iconic saying to the pandemic as well: “You can get away from here, by staying here.”
It makes sense. We’re still at the point in the pandemic where taking a vacation or a weekend getaway right here in Maine is the safest option, and provides the most peace of mind.
Snowmobiling in middle of its biggest boom in more than two decades
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A snowmobile rider checks for traffic before crossing a road on a trail near Rangeley Lake, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2021, in Rangeley, Maine. (Robert F. Bukaty, AP Photo)
PORTLAND, Maine The thrill of hurtling along a remote trail, coupled with Americans’ ongoing desire to get outside during the pandemic, is creating the biggest boom in more than two decades for the snowmobiling industry.
From Maine to Montana, it’s becoming difficult to find a new snowmobile for sale. And the rental fleets are booked up.
“We’ve had some good years and some bad years, but we’ve never had anything quite like this one,” said Dave Jones at Jackman Powersports, who expects to sell about 450 snowmobiles this year.
The ski mountain that overlooks Rangeley Lake, about 110 miles (180 kilometers) from Portland, closed before the 2015-16 winter season despite what longtime skier Lizzy Reinholt described as a loyal following that appreciated the mountain’s laid-back vibe, down-to-earth people, plentiful snow and old-school New England trails. Advertisement
“Because it’s always been family owned and hasn’t been so commercial, people forget you’re skiing on one of the biggest mountains in Maine,” Reinholt said.
It’s been a long, rocky road to reopening.
A local foundation tried unsuccessfully to reach a deal with the Berry family that owned the ski area. Then an Australian businessman promised to transform the ski area into a four-season resort. It never happened.