Things to do in Moosehead Lake during the Winter
Moosehead Lake is the place to enjoy winter at its finest.
There is nothing quite like a Maine winter. Whether you prefer a peaceful walk through the serene forest, a snowshoe hike overlooking snow-covered vistas, or the thrill of ice climbing on frozen waterfalls, Moosehead Lake is sure not to disappoint. The Moosehead Lake region offers many snowshoe trails. Make a day trip to the loop trail at Big Squaw Ski Resort, or spend an afternoon on the trails at NREC. Need to rent or upgrade your gear? Head to Northwoods Outiftters or Indian Hill Trading Post!
The Moosehead Lake region is a sea of mountains, and those frozen views are stunning beyond belief. Ready for a challenge? Strap on your snowshoes or crampons and hike six of our iconic mountains to complete the Winter Pinnacle Pursuit Challenge!
If ice climbing is your thing, grab your axes and head to one of the region’s many waterfalls. With cold winters and lots of runoff, you won’t run out of places to climb. Ice climbing is a risky sport, so be sure to go with an expert and use extreme caution.
Winter weather in Maine is unpredictable. Come to the outdoors prepared:
– Layer up! Be sure to pack extra clothes. Between changing conditions and different levels of excursion, you may put on and take off layers several times in one trip.
– Have an emergency kit! Pack extra food, water, and emergency supplies. You may be glad you did.
– Make a plan! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Think twice about going out alone. Talk to your party before the trip, and make sure everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Bring a noise-making device, have an emergency contact, and stay with your party.
Sample Winter Agendas
Family Fun Winter Agenda
7:00am Stop by Jamo’s and grab breakfast sandwiches and coffee before heading out for a day full of family fun!
8:00am Head to Moosehead Motorsports and rent a sled for the morning. Then take a ride up to the somber and historic B52 crash site. Don’t forget to grab a snowmobile trail map!
12:00pm Take a trip back into town and eat at Leisure Life. Try their delicious French Onion Soup to start!
1:00pm Strap on your snowshoes and head to Lily Bay State Park for a quiet forest stroll. Don’t have your own snowshoes? Rent a pair from Northwoods Outfitters.
5:00pm Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, go to Stress Free Moose Pub to satisfy it. Their soups will help warm you up after a day outdoors.
7:00pm End your evening at Kineo View Lodge, with a view of the mountains as far as the eye can see. Book the Overlook Suite and lounge by the fireplace on a snowy evening.
Laid Back Fun Winter Agenda
8:00am Have breakfast at Auntie M’s and be sure to enjoy some Maine maple syrup with your Belgian waffle.
9:00am It’s time to ski the view at Big Squaw Ski Resort. Food and drinks are available and you can rent ski or snowboarding equipment on site.
2:00pm Be sure to stick around for one of Squaw’s apres’ ski performers in the lodge after a fantastic day on the slopes.
6:00pm You must be starving! Order a pizza from Breton’s and take it to the Moose Mountain Inn. Enjoy a well-earned evening of relaxation tucked against the side of Little Moose Mountain.
– Better safe than sorry! Weather gets the best of us all sometimes. If conditions are too cold, too windy, or too icy, consider rescheduling your adventure for another time.