The groomed trail conditions were great the day we visited despite the lack of snow recently.
There is a warming hut about 1/4 mile into the trail that the girls particularly enjoyed. G. wrote in the guestbook while L. worked on the 1,000 piece puzzle. It was a cozy spot with the wood burning stove and it was difficult to drag the kids away from it (we made three different stops to the hut while exploring the looping trail system).
The trail map was easy to follow with markers posted on trees at every intersection.
There were steeper points on the hills that some of my family members opted to side-step down.
While the ones with a need for speed practiced their 'pizza pie' downhill instead.
A second outhouse further in to the trail system was a great convenience.
And the chairs and picnic table nearby prompted us to enjoy a break for lunch. Of course the kids opted to sit in the snow because well, they're kids and sitting in the snow to eat lunch is fun. For the adults, the chairs were a welcomed treat.
If your family has been cross country skiing for a couple of years and has good control on hills, you'll love these trails. If you don't have that level of skill, get out your snowshoes (or borrow some). These trails are really nice and kids will love the clubhouse-feel of the warming hut. The short distance (although it is uphill) to the hut will keep the kids motivated to find it while enjoying a nice trek through the woods.
Skiing down the hills
TRAIL REVIEW
Trail: Beech Hill Ski & Snowshoe Center, Wayne
Length: 80 acres of looping trails.
Grooming: Yes.
Trail Map: Available here
Parking: Yes.
Fee: $10 adults, young children with skiing ability are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Equipment Rentals: None.
Bathroom: Outhouses are conveniently located in two different areas of the trail system.
Ski Level: Intermediate. The trails are hilly so the ability to herringbone uphill and snow plow to control speed downhill are a must. Snowshoes are also welcome on these trails and a good option for family members not at this skiing level.
Dog-friendly: Dogs not permitted on trails.
Kid-friendly factor: GREAT (if intermediate skiers)
Kid Rating: Both girls gave this trail 5 stars (on a scale of 1-the worst to 5-the best).
G: I liked all the hills and I LOVE the cabin (warming hut) because it's cool. I like how the groomed trails are smooth and very easy. And they are very nice people, the people who own it. I really liked playing with their dog Widget.
L.: I liked all the hills and the warming hut was fun because I liked doing the puzzle there. I liked these trails because I could go down hill and that was fun.
Other: Free hot cocoa and tea for all visitors compliments of Dave & Bev Petell, the friendly owners of the trail system. And if you wrap your sandwiches in tinfoil, you are welcome to warm them up on the wood stove in the warming hut.
Photos from the trail:
On the trail at Beech Hill
Current Trail Conditions:
Snow reports for cross country ski trails in Maine
Directions:
View Larger Map
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