Photo credit: Appalachian Mountain Club

Find a reason to get outside this winter with NOLS Alumni! Our newest winter offering is a 4 day, 3 night lodge to lodge Nordic skiing trip in the 100 Mile Wilderness in Maine. This trip features cozy cabins and groomed trails winding through forests of hardwoods and spruce-fir with sections that open onto frozen lakes and broad valleys.

This trip starts with a morning arrival at the Appalachian Mountain Club office in Greenville, Maine. A brief orientation will review the itinerary and any last minute gear questions. For those without or not bringing their own skis, there is an option to rent skis, boots, and poles in Greenville. Next, a shuttle will take us to the Winter Trail head, a short drive from town.

Photo credit: Appalachian Mountain Club

Day one will see us skiing into the idyllic winter backcountry to Little Lyford Lodge, about 7 miles from the trailhead. All the trails in the 100 Mile Wilderness are groomed and suitable for classic or skate skiing. A luggage shuttle will transport baggage to the lodge, so that we can keep our packs to just the daily essentials. 

Photo credit: Appalachian Mountain Club

This trip is based out of lodges, so we can spend the days exploring the winter wonderland and return to comfortable log cabins each evening. The cabins are equipped with beds and woodfire stoves, and saunas will be available at the end of each day. Participants will be paired in private cabins in groups of two or three by gender. If you’re attending with others, please let us know so we can room you together. 

Photo credit: Appalachian Mountain Club

Day two is an exploration around Little Lyford Lodge. Among the many loops and trails around the lodge, longer adventures include a combination of skiing and hiking to Horseshoe Pond and the Hagas Gulf Gorge. Hagas Gulf Gorge is often called the “Grand Canyon of Maine,” and in the winter, its numerous waterfalls freeze and transform into impressively sculpted ice towers. The trails in this area offer a moderate level of skiing with mostly rolling hills and a few short, steeper sections that require careful skiing. 

The next morning we will ski to our next lodge, the Gorman Chairback Lodge, about 5.5 miles from Little Lyford. Depending on time and motivation, there will be more opportunities to ski or relax in the lodge once we arrive. 

Evenings will be for relaxing, socializing, and sauna sessions. There is no strict agenda aside from enjoying a delicious, hearty dinner in the company of your fellow NOLS Alumni! 

Photo credit: Appalachian Mountain Club

We will conclude the trip with a final 7.5 mile ski back to our trailhead and a shuttle back to Greenville. This trip is the perfect long weekend getaway – offering winter adventure by day and the comfort of lodges by night. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or just getting into it, this is one to check out.