WINTER IN MAINE Are you looking for an exhilarating outdoor experience? Winter in Maine is for you! Plan a Maine snowmobiling vacation. Riding a snowmobile is a great way to travel through our winter wonderland. Snowmobiling has become a very popular outdoor adventure in Maine. The Maine Lakes & Mountains, The Maine Highlands and Aroostook County regions offer hundreds of groomed and marked snowmobile trails and a variety of amenities. The Maine Snowmobile Association has a full list of statewide trials and clubs. Ski Maine! Less than 65 years since the first rope tow was introduced in Maine, you can now downhill ski on more than 450 trails at more than 20 ski areas. Discover our high-speed lifts, state-of-the art snowmaking and genuine Maine hospitality. You can learn to ski or snowboard with exceptional instructors and tackle the steepest trails in the East. Whether you snowboard, skiboard, telemark, or cross-country, a Maine Skiing adventure should be on your calendar this year. Winter in Maine is also for those wishing a warm cozy weekened at one of our hundreds of inns and B & B's, a time filled with art and museum exhibitions, concert performances at several year-round venues, and fine dining at Maine's many American, lobster and ethnic restaurants. Bargain-hunters find outlet shopping less crowded and the malls and boutiques more accessible, but the buys equally appealing. For a unique experience, try dog sledding. There are dog sled races and dog sled rides. Ski joring has been introduced in Maine: skiers are attached by a harness and shock-corded line system and are towed by one or two dogs, similar to water skiing. "U-Drive It" is where you step onto the runners of a dog sled and holler, "Mush!" It may not be as simple as it sounds. It's a rush, but dog sledders recommend you take trekking and mushing lessons. Weeklong adventures are available. Romantic horse drawn sleigh rides are being offered at many of the winter festivities in Maine. Contact an area chamber of commerce for vendors offering sleigh rides. Ice Fishing is very popular and with modern technology, hundreds of new anglers have joined those hardy souls who have been enjoying the sport for years. When Maine's lakes freeze over, get your fresh water fishing license and equipment and head out. You'll need an auger or chisel, traps or tip-ups, bait, pail, ax, snowmobile or snow-sled and plenty of warm clothing. Maine awaits you this winter. Our cities are alive with entertainment and events, festivities are sprinkled throughout the state, ski resorts have planned events, our roads are taken care of by expert highway crews. Public transportation opens Maine's doors to the world. Tranquility to thrills, Maine has plenty of both for you this winter.