Skiing, Dog Sledding, and Fire Dancers? Sign Me Up!!

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.

The Taste of Adventure

Any one who has visited Maine can tell you that the food is incredible.  Not only is the seafood to die for, but, there is so much more available, and Bethel and Newry were no different.  As I researched different restaurants in the area, I found myself blown away by the sheer amount of options available to me.

My first stop was the Mountain View At Trails End.  Located at the foot of the mountain, Mountain View is a haven for skiers, snowboarders, and everyone else enjoying the winter weather.  Seating was ample, providing plenty of options for patrons.  High tops were scattered throughout the restaurant, some of which have ski maps of Sunday River made right into the tables. Seating at the bar, as well as standard tables, couches, and seating by a fire place can all be found as well.  Televisions are also scattered around the restaurant, displaying a wide assortment of programming.

While it was pretty quite at when I was having lunch, it was clear that the Mountain View was so much more than just an eatery.  The bar is well stocked, especially with beers from micro-brewery’s, as well an arcade to entertain guests while they waited for their food.  Events are also held here, with a menu designed to cater to these events.  According to their website, the Mountain View can host a wedding as well!

Matterhorn Ski Bar was my next “dining destination,” and I wasn’t disappointed.  The restaurant was absolutely packed, but with two floors of seating available, a table is bound to open up soon.  There was live music, but it wasn’t overpowering at all.  I had no problem communicating with my server throughout my meal.  Furthermore, their menu was sizable, with plenty of options including; burgers, pizza, and salads.  Their drink menu was equally impressive, as they had an assortment of beers, red and white wines, and cocktails.  If you have kids in tow, don’t despair, as there are kid friendly options available as well.  The decorations were plenty of fun to look at as well, as the walls were adorned with various types of skis from years past.

While I had a pretty good idea where I was going for all my meals, I discovered Sunday River Brewing Company entirely by accident.  Much like the other establishments I visited, Sunday River Brewing Company had high tops, booths, tables, and seats at the bar available for patrons.  The atmosphere was definitely cozy, and the staff was friendly.  The beer is brewed right on the premise, and while guest cannot enter the brewery, windows offer a view into the brewing process.

While Sunday River Brewing Company does carry some well-known beers, I could tell that this brewery has a lot of pride for their own beer.  An entire section of their menu is dedicated to their beer, describing their flavor, the type of beer, color and finally the alcohol by volume. The food is phenomenal as well, with an assortment of pub food and pizza.

Dinner at the Funky Red Barn provided, dare I say it, a funky experience.  While it was quiet when I arrived, it was clear that good times come easy here.  The tables are sizable, providing opportunities for parties of all sizes to find a place to sit.  Old sports equipment, license plates, and album covers adorned the walls, along with a full sized motorcycle hanging from the ceiling.  Two pool tables are situated in the back of the restaurant, along with two dartboards.  Live music and a dance floor are provided as well, if that sounds like your kind of fun

My last night in Bethel was spent at ChoSun, a Japanese and Korean restaurant.  The décor was masterfully done.  Japanese art peppered the walls, while the eatery looked to be a cross between a ski lodge, as well as a Japanese restaurant.  As I had family with me on this particular night, we settled on the ChoSun Sushi Platter, which comes with 50 pieces of sushi, selected by the chef.  It was a phenomenal sight to see, and it was delicious!  While ChoSun is definitely a popular place to eat, it didn’t feel overcrowded or noisy.  It was comfortable, and with the low lighting, a great place to eat.  There’s even a bar where quests can have a drink as well.  The website for ChoSun makes it a point to recommend that guests make a reservation, and after my meal there, I have to agree that is a great idea.

 

Having travelled extensively in Maine, it doesn’t surprise me that Bethel and Newry has some extraordinary places to eat.  What amazes me is that I didn’t scratch the surface of restaurants in the area!  I constantly found myself making note of all the other places to eat in the area.  As always, if you want to know more about where I went, you can find the links here.  For Mountain View at Trails End, the link is here, while Matterhorn Ski Bar can be found here.  Subsequently, Sunday River Brewing Company ishere, while The Funky Red Barn can be found here, and Cho Sun is linked here.  Just like my previous post, this posting is part of a series for my Bethel and Newry trip, so stay tuned, as there is more to come!

My Stay at the Jordan Hotel

Many people see the state of Maine as a great place to spend their summer vacation.  I have to admit that I counted myself amongst them.  When I learned that Maine hosted a whole slew of activities to do in winter, I knew that I wanted to expand my horizon.  I booked a five-day trip up to Newry and Bethel, neighboring towns almost two hours northwest of Portland.  What I discovered was a new way of vacationing in Maine.

While trips I have done in the past have been recorded in a singular posting, I’ve decided to do something different.  I will be publishing my blog posts in somewhat of a thematic order.  I can hear some of you scratching your heads and asking, “What does the Merry Mainer mean, posting his writing in thematic order?”  The answer is quite simple.  Spending five days researching living arrangements, restaurants, skiing, and other winter activities yielded quite a bit of information. Therefore, breaking up all my research will hopefully make reading my posts far more enjoyable.

Sunday River is one of the more famous mountains in Maine.  As such, there are quite a few options when it comes to accommodations. I chose to stay at The Jordan Hotel and Conference Center.  It’s a beautiful hotel located right on the mountain, and the drive in is scenic to say the least.  The hotel is somewhat secluded, with a single road leading to and from the hotel.  The street is lined with trees with brief glances of the mountain rising above you.  While parking in front of the hotel is quite limited, parking options are, in fact, quite plentiful.  Checking in was a pleasant experience, and I was able to leave my car out front while I ran my luggage to my room.  Valet parking is offered for $10 a day, while two satellite lots can be found at either side of the hotel, and parking there is included with your stay.  Parking was plentiful, and stairs led back to the hotel’s main entrance.

A crackling fire greets guests as they enter the hotel.  An added bonus was that the hotel provided all the making of s’mores, including sticks to roast the marshmallows.  While a simple addition, it proved quite popular.  Not a day went by where I didn’t see someone roasting a marshmallow in the fireplace.  The conference rooms can be found on the ground floor, along with a Ping-Pong table, a store that provides ski rentals, as well as two different restaurants. Art adorned the walls throughout the hotel, but my favorite pieces were the reproductions of L.L. Bean catalog covers.

The rooms vary, depending on the quest’s needs.  While my room came with all the standard makings of a hotel room, I was blown away by the fact that a small kitchen was built into the room.  A sizable refrigerator, cabinets, a stove, an oven, along with utensils was all included in the room.

The hotel offered numerous amenities.  Furthermore, a health club can be found on the second floor with locker rooms and showers available for guests.  Further more, a heated pool can be found right outside the locker rooms.  Two hot tubs provide ample room for guests to relax and breath in the mountain air.  The mountain is visible from the hot tubs, so I was able to watch the snow cats grooming the mountain.  A steam room and a sauna are also available for hotel guests.  As a fan of intense heat, I spent all of my time in the sauna. While the sauna was entirely electrical, temperature and time controls helped guests customize their experience within the sauna.

Two restaurants are located within the Jordan Hotel.  The Grand Avenue Restaurant can be found right in the lobby of the hotel.  During the winter months, The Grand Avenue is only open for breakfast.  Breakfast fans will rejoice in knowing that they are walking into a buffet, with an omelet and waffle station.  The second restaurant located in the hotel was a gastro pub named Sliders.  While The Grand Avenue was only open for breakfast, Sliders catered to those looking for lunch and dinner.  A wood interior along with low lighting made for a comfortable experience.  There were plenty of seating options with high tops, tables, and seats at the bar. Slider offers typical pub fare, with a wide selection of drinks.  Their cocktails were expertly made.

Finally, The Jordan Hotel provides a spa for their guests on the second floor.  While the spa offers a full range of facials, pedicures, manicures, and massages, The Jordan Hotel adds a twist to some of the classics. For example, guests can sign up for the Candy Cane Caramba, which is a Swedish massage with peppermint oil and hot stones.  If you want to sign up for any of the spa’s services, make sure you do so ahead of time. I was unlucky enough to discover just how quickly appointments are booked for my self.

All in all, my experience at The Jordan Hotel was a very pleasurable experience.  From easily accessible staff members to a clean and well-maintained hotel, The Jordan Hotel is able to fulfill the needs of their guests.  If you want more information on the hotel, you can find it here, while everything you need to know about the spa can be found here.  If you want to check out the two restaurants in The Jordan, you can find Sliders hereand The Grand Avenue Restaurant here.  As I’ve mentioned before, this is the first post in a series of blog posts about the Bethel and Newry area, so stay tuned!  Who know, maybe The Jordan Hotel will make an appearance in future posts.