For many, the perfect New England winter scene involves more than the typical cozy cottages with smoking chimneys. A serious snowmobiler prefers a well-tuned snowmobile with miles of perfectly groomed trail ahead. With access to one of the nation's most extensive snowmobile trail systems, friendly and active snowmobile clubs, and blankets of soft, powdery snow, Maine's Old Canada Road makes a strong case for your next sled destination.
Maine's Interconnected Trail System (ITS), maintained by local snowmobile clubs, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, and local businesses and landowners, consists of a well maintained, signed, and extensive network of trails throughout most of the state. Several main trails, including ITS 89 and ITS 87, surround Old Canada Road as they head north from the very southern tip of the state. The ITS facilitates adventurous treks across hundreds of miles while providing frequent access to the amenities local towns have to offer.
Along the ITS, snowmobile thoroughfares pass near or through inviting byway communities before eventually continuing into Quebec. The town of Jackman claims the distinction of Maine's "hub of snowmobiling" and backs up the assertion with full-time groomers, welcoming accommodations, and an average snowfall of over ten feet. The small towns of The Forks and Caratunk, about halfway down the byway, offer lodges and local businesses eager to rent you a sled and show you the ropes on one of the area's trails.
Picture a wintry evening in a warm lodge surrounded by friends and hot food after a long day sledding, then plan to make it a reality this winter.
The Appalachian Trail
Old Canada Road Scenic Byway Overview