Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
(Area code 207)

Sunday River does not have a dedicated cross-country center, but this part of Maine is known for some of the best Nordic skiing and snowshoeing options in New England—all within an hour’s drive.

BETHEL, MAIN CROSS-COUNTRY PAGES

Sunday River's White Cap Base Lodge houses the Nite White Cap Fun Center for families. Activities here include guided snowshoe tours. Snowshoe rentals are available.

Golf course skiing, with some wooded trails, is available at the Bethel Inn Cross-Country Ski Center (824-2175). The center has 40 km. of marked and groomed trials, 30 of which are groomed for both diagonal and skate skiing. It has rentals, lessons and evening sleigh rides. The Bethel Inn also has telemark instruction. If you’re a novice Nordic skier, this is a great place to learn, because many of the trails are quite gentle. Midweek, the trail fee is also good for entrance to the outdoor heated pool, sauna and fitness center until 4 p.m.

Closest to the slopes, the Sunday River Ski Touring Center (824-2410) is run by the Sunday River Inn, on the Sunday River access road. It has 40 km. of groomed and tracked trails, as well as 2 km. lit for night skiing. It’s family oriented, with warming shelters, an overnight yurt, a groomed dog trail, a downhill practice area and instruction. Ice skating, snowshoeing, sleigh rides and an outdoor hot tub and sauna round out the amenities.

Owned by a former cross-country ski racer, Carter’s Cross-Country Ski Center (539-4848) has two locations. One, on Intervale Road, is just five miles from Sunday River, and has great views of the downhill area. It has 60 km. of trails for all levels (half groomed) and has a back-country experience with rustic get-away cabins. Carter’s Cross-Country Center in Oxford, off Rte. 26, provides another alternative for skinny skis, with 25 km. of tracks.

Forty-five minutes from Bethel is the Jackson Ski Touring Center in New Hampshire's Mt. Washington Valley. See Attitash for details of the ski touring programs.