Everything you need to know about snowmobiling in Maine this winter
By Susan Bard, Bangor Daily News Outdoors Editor
With winter setting in, snowmobile enthusiasts across Maine are gearing up for another season on the trails. The Maine Snowmobile Association has announced that the statewide trail system officially opens Dec. 15, though riders with private property can get an early start.
Al Swett, director of operations for the association, said the state has seen trail closures this year, but clubs have been quick to reroute paths and keep the system open.
“We’re starting off really well,” Swett said. “It’s been zero and below, so we’ve made some good ice overnight, and we just have to continue to do that weather-wise. Hopefully, we don’t have a January thaw like we usually do in the last few years.”
The association boasts roughly 15,000 members, mostly Maine residents, with growing numbers from out-of-state riders. Volunteers keep the network running smoothly across 285 snowmobile clubs statewide.
HITTING THE TRAILS — A snowmobiler enjoys one of Maine’s extensive trails with Katahdin in the background, part of the state’s winter network highlighted by the Maine Snowmobile Association.
For those planning trips, the snowmobiling association provides updated trail information through several channels. Maine’s Interconnected Trail System is available on its website through a regularly updated interactive map.
New this year, the snowmobiling association also offers a mobile app available on Android and Apple devices that provides turn-by-turn navigation, offline maps, custom route building, points of interest and live trail status updates. The app includes every trail from Kittery to Madawaska, and the pro version only costs $4.99 per year. Volunteers can help enhance the system by submitting additional trail and points-of-interest data.
Some PDF maps for each region are also available on the snowmobile association website, and riders can check club Facebook pages for trail conditions and additional map downloads.
Riders also can check snow conditions through association-linked snow cameras at Northern Outdoors in The Forks, Lake Parlin Lodge, Kokadjo Roach Riders, The Birches in Rockwood, Twin Pine Camps and 5 Lakes Lodge in the Katahdin area.
Safety remains a top priority. Swett urged riders to slow down, enjoy the scenery and avoid alcohol on the trails, noting that most crashes involve impaired operators. He also cautioned against early-season ice travel.
“I wouldn’t be going on the ice until late January at least. I don’t care how cold the next few weeks are. It’s not enough to support a 500-pound sled and a 185-pound human,” he said.
Pressure ridges on large lakes such as Moosehead, Rangely and Sebago remain a significant hazard. Moose River near Rockwood is well-marked, but Swett said a lot of people ride at night, become disoriented and end up in the water. “It’s a tragedy. It’s horrible.”
Swett stressed the importance of landowner cooperation, which makes up more than 90% of Maine’s trails.
“If it wasn’t for the landowners, we’d be out of business,” he said.
He singled out major landowners, including Irving, American Forest Management, Prentiss and Carlisle, as well as small landowners who allow trails behind their homes.
“We can’t thank them enough,” he said. “It’s a privilege. You have to respect their property.” He also reminded riders to pack out any litter.
Some of Maine’s most popular snowmobiling hubs include Jackman, Greenville and Millinocket. Swett noted that northern regions also offer spectacular riding.
“The County is spectacular. You can unload in Caribou, go 10 miles and not see another person for another 15-20 miles,” he said.
He also highlighted riding north of Moosehead, short loop rides in the Carrabassett Valley, Lexington, Flagstaff and Eustis, and his favorite locations, including the Border Trail in The County, Fort Fairfield/Presque Isle area and Medway.
The association will hold its director’s meeting Thursday at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer, featuring its annual end-of-year super raffle. This year’s prizes include two snowmobiles, a 2024 Polaris ProStar S4 IndyxC 137 and a 2025 SkiDoo Renegade 600 EFI, along with two trailers donated by Alcom in Winslow and Nitro Trailers in Pittsfield, gift certificates, gift cards and lodging stays donated by vendors and associate and business members. Swett noted that 85,000 tickets were sold this year.
The Maine Snowmobile Association and its clubs are always looking for new volunteers to help maintain trails and support events. Swett encourages riders to check club Facebook pages for trail conditions and updates and to reach out if they notice trail damage or hazards. Interconnected Trail System maps are free, and club maps are available for a small fee in local stores.