March is that wonderful month when the sun reaches higher in the sky, the days are longer and we get sniffs of spring during a warm afternoon. But, March is also the month that the Maine mountains receive the most snowfall. So here we are, straddling the widening crevasse between winter and spring, warm days and winter days, messy puddles and new-fallen snow. It’s a great time of year to spend a little more time outdoors!
I’ve been on my cross country skis and snowshoes recently and I really like the change in the snowpack. The firm snow along the coastal region allows me to explore new sights on nice, firm footing. Several of my favorite streams have begun to flow and I enjoy snowshoeing along, listening to the sounds of the water. Just the other day, I say my first beaver of the season, sitting on the ice, looking relaxed and refreshed from his swim across the cove. In the fields, I’ve skidded across some of the smoothest ice of the season, where water has seeped into the low spots after that Saturday night deluge. I marvel at the change in the surface textures in the months of March and April. I know that after our next snowstorm I’ll enjoy soft mid-winter snow conditions again, right in my backyard.
The other night, I grabbed my ice skates and headed out for a few laps around the pond. I haven’t skated too much this winter because of all of the snow, and I felt a bit shaky for the first 10 or 15 minutes. After a while, the rhythm came back and I could relax and enjoy the view. I chose to skate at dusk, a reflective time of day as the light fades away. This transition time helps me put all of the day’s distractions off to the side and allows me to focus on the emerging stars above. In a way, it’s my fresh start to tomorrow.
During another day last week I had a chance to cross country ski at the Rangeley Lakes Trail Center. A recent storm included every type of solid and liquid winter precipitation imaginable. I was ready for a slippery ski, but found the trail crew had already been out with the grooming machine. I selected classical skis for a leisurely tour. Several others grabbed their skate skis and we all took of on the trail. The snow texture was actually silky and smooth. The skate skiers stayed with us for a few minutes before they picked up the tempo and glided from sight. Later that morning, we all met back at the center for snacks. I spoke with folks who had been skiing in Aroostook County. The snow banks are higher than the cars there and the recent storms have brought snow, not rain.
If you have never been to the County in the winter, now is a great time to visit. There is world class skiing at the Nordic Heritage Center and the Tenth Mountain Division Center. For skiers and snowboarders, Bigrock and Lonesome Pine Trails are worth the drive.
So, enjoy the extra daylight after work, but don’t think that winter is over. Take another look at www.skimaine.com and squeeze in one more adventure. With the record snowfall this winter, it’s worth extending your winter sports season.
Greg Sweetser is the executive director of the Ski Maine Association, a non-profit trade association representing the ski & snowboard industry in Maine. Greg is a lifelong skier who also enjoys snowboarding and Nordic tours, and he serves on the boards of WinterKids and the Ski Museum of Maine.