I grew up in New Hampshire, and now live in Maine, but I am definitely not naturally an outdoor girl. I’ve never skied in my life, and hiking and I don’t always get along (black flies = the devil). However, since moving to Maine from New York two years ago I’ve been making some serious strides toward embracing the great outdoors.
On Saturday Ross and I tried our hands at snow shoeing. Neither one of us had done it before, but we both really enjoyed it. We went to Pineland Farms in New Gloucester, ME, where we rented snow shoes and did their 2.5 mile trail. I have to say, it was just so beautiful. The whole landscape was freshly blanketed in loads of fluffy snow and the trails were easy to follow. It was also a pretty decent work out, taking about 1.5 hours to cover the whole trail.
We were a bit out of place considering neither one of us owned any appropriate outdoor gear. I was wearing several pairs of leggings with leg warmers, and Ross was rocking about four sweatshirts. Oh well, we managed to stay toasty.
Next step is trying cross country skiing, and then MAYBE downhill skiing. The thought of shooting down an ice-covered mountain on a pair of sticks has always frightened me. I’d rather not end my life prematurely by slamming into a pine tree, thankyouverymuch. Any skiers out there with some advice on conquering the fear?
Any cold weather peeps out there with other fun outdoor activity ideas? I’m trying to open my eyes to cold weather fun, so any thoughts are much appreciated!
sweetersalt
A fun hassle/stress/frightening free winter activity: Tubing! Seacoast Fun Park in Windham has it, but I prefer heading west to North Conway, NH and tubing at Cranmore, Attitash, or King Pine. And then shopping at the outlets and getting a nice aprés tube dinner!
another fun and easy to pick up activity is cross country skiing!
I cannot in good conscience recommend that you conquer your fear of downhill skiing. Your fear is trying to tell you something and should be heeded. But x-country skiing is fun, and I love to snowshoe! My friends and I are planning on going to the tubing place mentioned above, if you’d like to tag along.
Frost Mountain Yurts in Brownfield. It’s like winter camping, only warm and awesome.
yeah…ive tried skiing a few times. im pretty firm in my belief that life throws a lot at you as it is – its better to not tempt the waters with life-threatening activities.
snow shoeing sounds like my kind of fun! safe, and lots of scenery!
That looks interesting
I’m totally the same way! Trying to embrace my outdoor side. I’ve been dying to go snowshoeing and will hopefully go sometime in the coming weeks
I want to try cross-country skiing too. Downhill skiing and snowboarding is a good experience but it scares the living daylights out of me, too… I have to say though, I do love learning it (you’re on a small hill for the beginning phases), but I have NO desire to ever be good enough to go down the double black diamonds!
ooh i’ve always wanted to try snowshoeing! hopefully some day (and when i’m brave enough to face the cold ha)
North Conway and ice skating! Rentals are only ten bucks and they have an adorable little rink in the middle of town. An afternoon of ice skating and dinner at Horsefeathers is perfect.
I wouldn’t suggest snowboarding or downhill skiing, I tried snowboarding for the first time last year and fell getting off the ski lift on my second trip. I spent the last 6 weeks of winter in a bright pink cast.
Pingback: Winter Doldrums | sweeter salt