Whether you’re a painter, fashion mogul, or a filmmaker, creativeness comes to people in unique ways. I am no different. Whenever I recommend that someone visit Maine for the first time, the first question I get is, “Why?” While I was quick to rattle off the number of summer activities one can do in Maine, every other season, including winter, was neglected. As I’ve spent more time in this great state, I’ve begun to experience a wider variety of seasonal activities. As it happens, this posting will be the third and final blog chronicling my trip to Bethel and Newry. It is here, where I will speaking to the activities in the area, and let me tell you, there is plenty to do.
Easily the most obvious past time is skiing. While I’ve skied in Wyoming, Colorado, and Switzerland, I never dreamed that I would be skiing in Maine. One of the many reasons I chose the Jordan Hotel was because of what it offered it’s guests. First and foremost, The Jordan Hotel is ski on/ski off. The mountain is easily accessible from the hotel, so visitors don’t have to struggle getting to the rest of the trails. An added bonus is that there is a ski check conveniently located right where guests can ski in and out. Guests can purchase ski tickets in the lobby, as well as rent skis, boots, and poles in a store right off the lobby. The rental company even does tune-ups. Furthermore, the Jordan Hotel provides a shuttle that takes guests to and from the ski lodge, which provides visitors with access to more lifts, another tuning shop, and more!
I thoroughly enjoyed myself while skiing. The versatility of the mountain was impressive. The trail map is easy to read, and the trail signs are clear as well. Furthermore, if guests are attempting to get to other parts of the mountain, the trail signs point to where to go. The trails vary in difficulty, as well as in size, meaning that some trails are narrow, while others are spacious. Furthermore, tree runs are marked, so that skiers know where to enter, as well as the trails difficulty. I’m a big fan of terrain parks, so I was extremely happy when I discovered that there were multiple parks, with jumps of various sizes. While I spent one day skiing, I did not get an opportunity to do some night skiing. Night skiing is only available during the weekend and some holidays, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. The conditions at Sunday River were extraordinary, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s lived through a Maine winter. Sunday River also has snow making equipment available to create more snow if need be.
When someone mentions that they’ve seen a fire dancer, Maine doesn’t seem to be a logical place to go to see such a performance. However, I was lucky enough to see such a performance during my time in Newry. Located right at the ski lodge, there are two shows, one at 7:45pm and one at 8:15pm. The performer was talented, and there was plenty of twirling and whirling! As I went to the 8:15 show, the fire dancer’s performance blended seamlessly into the firework show at 8:30.
During my trip, I was able to go dog sledding, which was an absolute blast. The guides are extremely knowledgeable, not only about dog sledding but about local history as well. Guests can ride within the sled, or on the back of the sled with the guide. Mahoosuc Guide Service offers a whole slew of options, including day trips, as well as weekend trips. A couple of minutes into our trip, it suddenly clicked that we were sledding over a lake. The guide told me that the ice was about two feet thick, enabling them to bring the dogs onto the ice. We passed an area that was set up for ice fishing, with ice huts dotting the frozen lake, which was definitely a sight to see. Part way into the trip, we stopped for lunch, which happens to be included. A hearty soup along with bagels, cream cheese, jam, chips, and trail mix meant that we ate very well. A nice touch was that the soup was warmed over an open fire. As we ate, I was able to take in the beautiful sights, as well as interact with the dogs, who were all eager for the attention. While I brought my own gear for the trip, Mahoosuc Guide Service can provide guests with gear, if the need arises. Mahoosuc Guide Service also can provide lodging, which can add to the experience.
As my trip came to a close, I found myself wanting to come back to Bethel and Newry. The beauty of the Bethel/Newry area is that there’s always something to do, regardless of when you’re visiting. Information on skiing at Sunday River can be found here, while the fire dancing and fireworks can be found here. Mahoosuc Guide Service offers plenty of summer and winter activities, and you can find them here. If you want to read about Sunday River as a whole, the home page can be found here. As I’ve mentioned before, this was the last entry the series about my trip to Newry and Bethel. I had a lot of fun, but now, it’s time to plan my next adventure, and I’m excited to get started.
themerrymainer 