Winter in Bethel, Maine


“Snow, grooming, lifts, great staff. I’d like to live in Bethel.”
Ski Magazine reader.

Things to Do Winter - Sunday River, Bethel, Maine Area

Bethel Maine Spas

Amusement Center
Big Adventure Center
Laser Tag, Rock Climbing Gym, Game Room. Open year round. Phone: 207 824-0929. 5 min drive on Rt 2 just before town on your right.

Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding
Sunday River Ski Resort - Maine's premier four season mountain lift resort, featuring 129 trails and glades spread across eight interconnected mountains serviced by an award-winning network of 18 lifts, including four high-speed quads. Sunday River's snowmaking system, the largest and most technically advanced in New England, covers 92 percent of its terrain. Nine out of ten skiers and riders agree that year after year Sunday River has the Most Dependable Snow in New England from November through May.

Vertical Drop: 2,340’. 128 Trails: 42 Beginner, 46 Intermediate, 23 Most Difficult, 17 Double Black Diamond. 18 Lifts: 9 Quads (4 high speed), 4 Triples, 2 Doubles, 3 Surface Lifts. 92% Snowmaking. Phone: 207-824-3000.

Mt. Abram Family Ski Resort - just a few minutes south of Bethel. In operation for 41 years, Mt. Abram is known for its family-friendly staff, programs and affordability. Trails for all levels, uncrowded slopes and non-existent lift lines, ski/snowboard/telemark, two lodges, day care are a few of the mountain's amenities. Click our link for the latest events and conditions.

Vertical Drop 1,105’. 40 Trails: 11 Beginner, 19 Intermediate, 10 Most Difficult. 5 Lifts: 2 Doubles, 2 T-Bars, 1 Tubing Tow. 85% Snowmaking. Ski School, day care, ski shop with rentals, cafeteria & lounge. Open: Thursday 9-6, Friday 9-8, Saturday, Sunday & Holidays 9am-4pm. Phone: 207-875-5002.
 
Cross Country Skiing
The Bethel Area is Maine's #1 destination for cross country skiing, with more than 100 kilometers of skiing at four ski centers and additional opportunities to ski in the White Mountain National Forest, in Grafton Notch State Park, and on local snowmobile trails.

The Bethel Inn & Country Club - A classic New England resort and full service cross country ski center, located on the Bethel Common. 36 kilometers of groomed trails on open fairways and woods overlooking the beautiful White Mountains. (207) 824-2175 or info@bethelinn.com

Sunday River Inn and Cross Country Ski/Snowshoeing Center - located on the Sunday River Rd. This cross-country ski/snowshoe center was featured by X-C Ski Magazine as one of the nation's best centers for beginners. 40 kilometers of groomed trails. Kids programs, lessons and tours available. Rentals & retail sales. (207) 824-2410 or info@sundayriverinn.com

Carter's Cross Country Ski Centers - Bethel location, on Intervale Rd. has 65 K of trails, most notably the beautiful overlook trail up Farwell Mountain. Phone: 207-824-3880

Great Glen Trails - Cross Country Ski Center is located 35 minutes away on Route 16 at the Mt. Washington Auto Road in Pinkham Notch, NH. Go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow tubing surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Mt. Washington & the Presidential Range. A trail and program for all abilities. One of the ultimate winter experiences is a trip in our SnowCoach up the Mt. Washington Auto Road to the world above treeline! Phone: 603-466-2333 or greatgln@mt-washington.com
 
Snowmobiling
Maine in the winter is an explorer's paradise. Recently Western Maine has experienced a boom in snowmobiling and due to a lot of hard work by local clubs and generous private landowners, a trail system has come to the Bethel Area that can give you endless miles of beautiful riding and scenery including the White Mt. National Forest and State Parks.

Local clubs and the States of Maine and New Hampshire work cooperatively with the US Forest Service to maintain and groom a network of snowmobile trails through the White Mountain National Forest. Parking areas are located at several points around the forest. Snowmobiling in the national forest offers a variety of terrain through beautiful scenery. Riding is allowed on designated and groomed trails only, and trails are open to non-motorized uses also. The system is a mixture of small woodsy trails and more open scenic routes.

Parking areas with trail access to the White Mountain National Forest are located south of Bethel near Route 5 and near the state line on Route 2. Call the Evans Notch Visitor Center at 207-824-2134 (207-824-2856) for trail locations, and the State of Maine's hotline for the latest trail conditions at 1-800-880-SNOW.

For rentals, instruction, daily and nightly tours contact the following outfitters:

Sun Valley Sports - 877-851-7533 or 207-824-7533 located on the Sunday River Road

Maine Huts and Trails
 
Dogsledding Trips
Dog Sledding

Bear River Mushing Co. & Kennels - Hands-on introduction & intermediate classes on the thrill of dogsledding. A great way to spend an hour or more with your family working with a team of Siberians. Offering fall wheeled-rig dog rides for children & adults, ages 7 & older! Western Maine Siberian Husky Rescue - Twelve years experience, behavior specialist & obedience instructor. Offering dogsled gear, feed, boarding, Siberian puppies for sale. Open daily. Available for lectures and private classes. 15-20 minutes, near Grafton Notch State Park. 1359 Bear River Rd, Newry, ME 04261. Phone: 207-824-2679 bearrvr@megalink.net 

Winter Journeys - Dog sled adventures, catering to your needs and desires. Lovell, ME 04051. Phone: 207-928-2026 sleddogs@pivot.net
 
Sleigh Rides & Indoor Horseback Riding
Meadow Creek Farm
Horse-drawn covered wagon & sleigh rides. Weddings, anniversaries, birthdays. Sumner, ME 04292. Phone: 207-388-2044 beckyd@megalink.net 

Sparrow Hawk Mountain Ranch - Located in West Bethel, on 150 beautiful acres, bordering the White Mountain National Forest in the western mountains of Maine, this brand new facility has a 160' x 80' indoor riding arena, 300' x 150' outdoor riding arena, and an 18 stall barn. The ranch offers riding instruction, horse training, customized day and overnight riding vacations for small groups or families, and 4 weeks of summer camp for girls.

Directions: West on Rt. 2, continue past the village of West Bethel (and Flat Rd.), take next left onto Fleming Road which forks immediately. Bear right at fork, continue on until you see the large facility! 120 Fleming Road, Bethel, ME 04217. Phone: 207-836-2528
 
Miscellaneous Shopping
Tom White Studio - Fine Art Figurative Art Bronze Sculptures.
 
Timberlake Home Store - Shaker Furniture, Chairs and Tables built to order.