Weather in Midcoast Maine has been a little wonky this winter, with a snow drought through most of January followed by back-to-back snowstorms. Luckily, the Midcoast now has a plethora of snow to play in for winter sports, along with numerous fun indoor and outdoor activities for the whole family.

The Camden Snow Bowl

The Camden Snow Bowl is the Midcoast’s only town-owned ski area with 20 runs, a 4,000-foot triple lift, night skiing, snowshoe trails and more. Get ticket prices and rental details. Perhaps the biggest Snow Bowl event each February is the US National Toboggan Championships (Feb. 3-5, 2023), where thousands of people congregate to watch tobogganers in costume race down the 400-foot chute, enjoy the weekend outdoor festival, and get to know what Mainers are like in the slower-paced, small-town community in winter.

Ice Skating

Outdoors, there are multiple lakes and ponds that offer great ice skating — when the conditions are just right. Megunticook Lake is a great spot, if you go in by the Bog Bridge boat ramp entrance. Hosmer Pond, by the Camden Snow Bowl, is also ideal, when cleared off.  Maine Sport Outfitters is the place to rent ice skates (and other winter outdoor equipment), or buy good-quality, used equipment from the newest sport consignment store in Rockport, called Midcoast Sports Exchange. Additionally, Maine Sport also offers ice skating on a man-made pond just outside its Rockport store. For indoor ice skating, check out The Midcoast Rec Center in Rockport, which offers a public skate for beginners to advanced, as well as public hockey sessions with affordable skate rentals.

Museums & Indoor Events

Culturally, Midcoast Maine is teeming with arts and entertainment for every interest. The world-renowned Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland is best known for its Andrew Wyeth collection, but it’s also home to paintings, prints, sculptures and photography by prominent artists who either lived in Maine or depict life in Maine. Here’s a list of upcoming February exhibitions. The Center for Maine Contemporary Art (CMCA), which is renowned for innovative exhibitions and educational programs, is open year round with a new winter exhibition, Biennial.  For antique vehicle and aircraft lovers (and a guaranteed hit for kids), The Owls Head Transportation Museum is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. There’s also The Strand Theatre, Rockland’s independent theater for live music and performance events, movies and more.

Unique Shopping

Artists and makers who craft things you won’t find anywhere else are right here in the Midcoast. All three Midcoast towns, Belfast, Camden-Rockport, and Rockland, all have their individual vibe and flavor. Whether you’re looking for indoor farmers markets, community co-ops, nautical and lobster-themed gifts, hip consignment stores, antique shops, or just want to enjoy the cafés, pubs, restaurants and food trucks that make up this unique community, an entire day could just be dedicated to shopping.

Whatever you’re planning, Midcoast Maine is a wonderful place to visit in the quieter months of the winter. Find out how to enjoy your time here with more articles from our blog. We’ll see you this summer at the Maine Lobster Festival, Aug. 2-6,2023. More information: https://mainelobsterfestival.com/