The great outdoors is the Maine attraction

Hiring a Registered Maine Guide can help you make the most of your outdoor experiences in Maine.

An expert can help you see a moose, climb a granite face or raft down a river of rapids.

Maine’s unique guides are specially trained and registered with the state and offer leadership, help and advice in hunting, fishing, sea kayaking and other outdoor skills.

Many have decades of experience and work with Maine’s historic sporting camps and wilderness lodges, places you can go to experience Maine’s remote beauty.

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has partnered with The Conservation Fund to purchase and permanently protect nearly 29,000 acres of forestland in Piscataquis County known as Barnard Forest. AMC will bring its fish habitat restoration efforts that benefit threatened species such as native brook trout and endangered Atlantic salmon. Since 2003, AMC’s Maine Woods Initiative has permanently protected over 100,000 contiguous acres of forest and fish habitat in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness.

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has unveiled a Gravel Adventure Field Guide. The handy guide offers cyclists new routes in Maine east of the Moosehead Lake region. Copies are available at many bike shops in New England and at AMC.

DoryWoman Rowing, is offering special themed rows. These unique experiences include a sunset oyster row, a yoga row and more. This winter, a row + sauna + dip experience will be offered. Trips are led by an experienced Maine Guide and use a traditional-style wooden dory in Belfast Bay.

The Skowhegan River Park (AKA Run of River) will redevelop an industrial downtown river corridor into an accessible outdoor recreation asset with an expanded trail network and whitewater activities. The river park will improve river access and free recreation opportunities.

The Nature Conservancy has acquired approximately 13,500 acres of forested land north of Tunk Mountain in Hancock County. The land, which will continue to be open for birding, hunting and fishing, abuts an existing preserve to the north of Tunk Mountain and the northwest corner of the state’s Donnell Pond Public Land. The acquisition will expand The Nature Conservancy’s 9,700-acre Spring River Preserve.

The Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument is known for its hiking, paddling and all-around outdoor recreation. Now, The International Dark-Sky Association, the world’s recognized authority on combatting light pollution, has designated the monument as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Only 13 exist throughout the entire world. And in the United States, there’s only one east of the Mississippi.

Ski resort updates

Sunday River – Newry

The Barker 6, one of the fastest six-person chairlifts in North America opened last season. The lift features ergonomic heated seats, an automatically lowering and locking restraining bar, weather-blocking bubbles and improved wind resistance. The Igloo, located in the Jordan Bowl by the base of the Jordan 8 is a one-of-a-kind snow igloo and ice lounge experience. This distinctive structure is made entirely of snow. Additionally, this past summer, the lobby renovation to the Jordan Hotel was completed.

Sugarloaf – Carrabassett Valley

The highlight of the West Mountain Expansion is the Bucksaw Express, providing direct access to 12 new beginner and intermediate trails. Nine of these trails were introduced last February with skiers and riders having the opportunity to conquer Twitcher, the 10th trail to come online and skiable this season.

A new bridge has been constructed to ski over Sawtooth Road, connecting with Beavertail Trail, with brand new snowmaking guns and pipes, leading all the way down Bucksaw Express. The terrain parks have undergone changes to provide an even better experience. The medium parks have been relocated from the Super Quad to WhiffleTree, consolidating all terrain parks in one area. Off the hill, Sugarloaf looks forward to welcoming a new venue in the village. L.L. Bean is opening an outlet store .

Pleasant Mountain – Bridgton

This smaller family-friendly ski area just over an hour from Portland is installing their high-speed, detachable chairlift for the 2024/25 winter season called the Summit Express.

Saddleback Maine – Rangeley

Last season saw the opening of Saddleback’s high-elevation mid-mountain restaurant, The Nest. Perched at 3,620′ and tucked into the trees, The Nest offers sweeping views of Rangeley. The Nest will be back this season with more menu items, cocktails, and special dinners where guests can take a ride in Saddleback’s cabin snowcat to their destination.

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