The Bethel Nordic Ski Center is a classic New England cross-country ski area in the village of Bethel, Maine. 30km of classic and skate tracks wind though forests and fields, past stonewalls and old mill dams under the shadow of the Mahoosuc Mountains.
The Ski Center is located in the village center. Options for a healthy lunch, coffee, and dinner, as well as several galleries, bookstores, and boutiques, are all within walking distance of the ski trails.
Date: January 27, 2011
Trail Conditions:
Trails Open: 9
Kilometers of Trails Open: 17 km
Skate Lanes Groomed: 17 km
Classical Tracks Set: 9 km
Snowshoe Trails Open: 8 km
Skijoring Trail Open: 2 km
Surface Conditions:
Trail Surface: Powder
Average Snow Depth: 7"
Last New Snow: 3" 1/27/12
Expected Kick Wax: Violet/red
Expected Glide Wax: CH8
We do our best to give an honest account of snow conditions, as well as our grooming plans. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing are outdoor activities, so changes of weather, environmental changes, and unforeseen circumstances can lead to changes and deviations from our plans, and from our last posted observations. Early season and spring season conditions include the possibility of variable snow, thin spots, subsurface obstacles, and open water.
For the latest and most accurate information call us at 207-824-6276
Weather Conditions:
Winds: 1 mph SW
Sky Conditions: Snow
Temperature at Observation: 26°F
Predicted High Temperature: 34°F
Relative Humidity: 100%
Comments: New snow that sifted down most of the night, left us with a few inches. It sounds as if the storm will crank up a bit this morning, and the warmer moist air pressing in from the south, won't make it this far inland. The storm is supposed to slip off the coast before it can drop less frozen forms moisture. Good news for us powder hounds.
NENSA
New England Women's XC Ski Day
January 29, 2012
Enjoy a fun day on snow, experience cross country ski clinics for every level skier-- from first time skiers to seasoned masters. In addition to top-notch instruction there will be wax demonstrations, a fantastic prize drawing and a fabulous lunch at the Bethel Inn. Clothing and equipment retailer will be on hand with items to try and buy.
Master Ski Group
Wednesdays, 4:30pm
This is an informal group that meets each Wednesday afternoon at 4:30 to ski. The goal is to get some fresh air and exercise with other likeminded souls. Depending on the group, we will break into smaller groups to meet the desires for differing techniques, pace, and/or distances." Masters" here refers to an adult age group and not a proficiency level-- this is simply a late afternoon non-competitive ski tour.
Thursday Advanced Women’s Group
Thursdays, 9am
This is a group for women with skiing experience who want to further their skill and fitness levels, as well as their chatting abilities! Come join us for fun and fitness…; this is not a training group, but rather a chance for women to get together and ski, learn, and talk, all at a pace that will gradually increase over the course of the season.
Women’s Beg./Int. Ski Group
Fridays, 3:00pm
The Friday group is perfect for women who have never tried the sport before or have some skiing experience, and would like to work on their technique and move along at a gentle pace. We will begin our sessions with a mini-lesson, and move on to a short ski tour. The emphasis here is Relax and Have Fun! This is a no-pressure group, and newcomers to the sport are both welcomed and encouraged.
Tuesday Training Group with the BOC
Tuesdays, 4pm
This group’s focus will be on training. Though the skiing will remain in the aerobic levels, the pace may be quicker at times, especially during threshold training sessions or exercises designed to develop speed. This group offers a focused workout, with opportunities to share training time and grow as skiers.
Full Moon Relay, 2012
This fun filled, fast paced, classic technique event offers a great opportunity to ski too fast after dark and consume many good desserts. This exciting mass start race begins after sunset under the light of the full moon and a few other visual aids.
Flying Moose Classic, February 11, 2012
Sponsored by the Bethel Outing Club on Gould Academy's trail system. This is a classic technique, mass start, point to point ski race that has 20 km or 10km distance choices. There are timed and non-timed options as well as youth events including a 200 meter lollipop course for toddlers and 6 km non-timed classic race for young children.
WinterFest • February 24-26, 20 12
Join us in celebrating winter in this event filled week. More information to follow.
Corkscrew Chase, March 11, 2012
Corkscrew Chase is a 15 kilometer mass start, pursuit race -- 7.5 km classic technique race in the morning followed by a 7.5 km skate technique race in the afternoon. The course offers a thrilling jaunt over terrain that undulates, twists and twirls through hemlock and hardwood groves, past stone dams, and across fields. The race starts at the Bethel Nordic Ski Center and the route includes the Corkscrew Trail, a local favorite, and a trail that earns its name honestly.
Spring Ahead Series,
Thursdays in March, 4:30pm
To celebrate the rising sun, a scored series of seven kilometer time trials that start at 4:30 pm on Wednesdays. The trials will alternate between classic and freestyle technique. Scored by finish order as points to an individual’s series score. The person with the lowest score for the series will win a really big, fare trade certified, 70% dark chocolate bar with the words, "heavenly and divine", printed in deep gold, right on it. This Spring Ahead Series is a fun and easy going event that allows participants to start on a rolling basis.
Troll Trolling, Everyday
Troll trolling is an on-going activity that entices children to ski in search of “Trolls”. The "Trolls" are handmade wooded figures placed along the ski trails. A map that shows the Trolls current location (they move around) is posted in the ski shop. Children must use their map to find each troll. When all Trolls are found, the child can then return a completed card to the ski shop in exchange for a really big and very tasty cookie.
K's-for-Kids • Anyday
A child oriented program where kids are encouraged to be outside skiing. Children record how much they ski each time they ski over the winter. When the child reports their progress the ski shop staff will award a gold star for every 3 kilometers they ski on the chart in the ski shop. Special prizes are awarded for 24 kilometers, 45 kilometers and 75 kilometers.
Woman's Ski Groups
Coming soon-- page under construction
Trail Tickets
Full Day: $18
Afternoon (after 1:00PM): $14
Student w/ ID and Senior (62+): $14
Student/Senior after 1pm: $14
Children (under five): Free
Ski/Swim/Sauna: $24
Season Pass- Purchase Passes Here
Family $280
Individual $130
Student/Senior $110
Cross Country Ski Rental
Afternoon (after 1:00 PM): $14
Skate/Performance Skis $20
Afternoon Skate/Perf.Skis: $18
Student w/ID and Senior (62+): $14
Student/Senior after 1pm: $10
Pulk Sled: $5/hour
Snowshoe Rental
Full Day: $15
Afternoon (after 1pm): $12
Student w/ID and Senior (62+): $12
* Local Weather
* Bethel Chamber of Commerce
* Snocountry.com
* National Weather Service
* Swix Wax Wizard
* Ski Maine
* The Master Skier
* American Cross Country Skiers
* xcski.org
Photos
Please don't hesitate to contact us with questions or comments you may have about our events, services, or hours.
Bethel Nordic Ski Center
PO Box 355
21 Broad Street
Bethel, Maine 04217
Phone : 207-824-6276
E-mail: skishop_caribourecreation.com
Facebook: Bethel Nordic Ski Center
Hours
Sunday- Saturday 9- 4:30
Directions
Portland, ME :
Take Maine Turnpike to Exit 63 (formerly exit 11) then Route 26 North to Bethel.
Boston, MA :
Take I-95 North to the Maine Turnpike. Exit 63 (formerly exit 11) to 26 North to Bethel.
Manchester, NH :
Take I-93 North to exit 35. Route 3 North to Twin Mountain. Route 115 North to Jefferson to Route 2, East to Bethel.
New York City, Hartford, CT & Springfield, :
Take I-84 North to I-90 East to I-495 North to I-95 North (follow above directions).
From the West , arriving to Bethel on Route 2, turn right at the Bethel exit. At the bottom of the ramp take an immediate right onto Church Street. Follow Church Street for less than a mile. The Inn is on your right after the Village Common.
From the South , on Route 26, follow signs to the historic district and cross the train tracks on to Main Street. Continue straight up Main Street to 4-way intersection at top of the hill, then turn left on Broad Street. The Inn is on your right, just beyond the Village Common.A list of Airport Shuttle Services is available upon request.
# Major Airports
Troll Trolling
Troll trolling is an ongoing activity that entices children to ski in search of Trolls. Trolls are handmade wooded figures that are placed on the ski trails. The Trolls are moved to new locations once a week and a map that shows where the Trolls are located is posted in the Ski Shop. Using a map, children must ski through the trail system to each of the Trollls.
Mission
Five trolls are hidden along the ski trails. Each troll is in a different place and each Troll carries a unique card punch. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to:
Reward
All persons bearing a Trolling Card with all five unique holes punched will be awarded a really big and very tasty cookie.
Background
The Forrest Troll
(Scand. Skovtrold, Skogstroll)
Sometimes mistaken for a gnome or a dwarf, the forest troll lives in remote Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish forests and seems to be very close to extinction or perhaps really good at hiding. According to some experts, the forest troll is attracted to its mirror image. Trolls main source of food is mushrooms, including some that are poisonous to humans. This unhealthy habit could explain its legendary unpredictable temper.
According to one recent theory, trolls of Scandinavia are descendants of a small group of Neanderthals that became isolated between ice masses at the end of the last ice age. Gradually these animals developed very special characteristics, abilities and hats.
However convincing this theory sounds, there is simply no evidence to prove Trolls existence, nor any indicating that Trolls are related to Homo Sapiens Ferus (forest Man) i.e. Big Foot in North America and Yeti in the Himalayas. This complete lack of evidence or reasonable scientific explanation only leaves two possibilities:
1) Either Trolls are a mere figment of our collective imagination with roots in a remote past representing a complex and poetic expression of our basic fears and longings, or
2) this race of creatures has simply chosen not to be discovered by humans
Until now, Trolls have managed to do this with great success.
What it is:
A child oriented program where children are encouraged to ski and record how much they ski over the winter. The child reports their progress to the skishop staff and we will place a gold star for every 3 kilometers they ski on the chart in the ski shop.
Children who reach 24 kilometers and 45 kilometers will be awarded a really big and very tasty cookie. Once the child reaches the 75 kilometer mark, they will be given a water bottle (BPA-free), and a the first child to reach the 150 kilometer mark will be allowed to pick a hat from the skishop of their choice. Others who make 150 kilometers will win a cup of hot chocolate, a cookie and the awesome ski related "swag bag".
Who its for:
Any and all children who are game and willing.
Note: Kilometers skied during Troll Trolling do count for K's-for-Kids.
When it is:
Anytime and all the time. Our goal is to keep kids moving around on skis, we will gleefully chart any and all skiing the children report, even if they ski elsewhere or forget to report one week and want to get their chart brought up to date the following week.
How to sign kids up:
Come in and we'll put the childs name on the K's for Kids chart, it cost nothing. Our hope is to encourage children to mess around outside and on skis.
Corkscrew Chase
Classic/Skate Technique
15 KM Cross Country Pursuit Ski Race
Youth: Ski Orienteering Race
Saturday, March 13, 2011 11:00 AM
Event Description:
Corkscrew Chase is a 15 kilometer mass start, pursuit race offering a thrilling jaunt over terrain that undulates, twists and twirls through hemlock and hardwood groves, past stone dams, and across fields. The race starts at Bethel Nordic Ski Center in Bethel and the route includes our Corkscrew Trail, a local favorite, and a trail that earns its name honestly. Awards and refreshments, will take place at the Ski Center after the last finisher.
A classic technique 7.5 km race will start at 10:30 and after a short break a second freestyle race will start. Start times for the freestyle event are based on the interval of the finish times in the classic race and winners of the pursuit will cross the finish line first.
The Youth Ski Orienteering Race will be an individual OR a team event, starting at noon.
Start Times:
Adult Classic 7.5 Km: 11:00 a.m.
Adult Freestyle 7.5 Km: 12:00pm
Youth Event: 1:00pm
Registration:
* Race Day sign-in and registrations: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. 3/13/11
* Registrar desks will be at the: Bethel Nordic Ski Center, On the common, Bethel, Maine, or register at skireg.com
* Send Registrations to: Race Secretary, P.O. Box 355, Bethel, Maine 04217
Price:
Entries received on or before 3/10/11 are $25.00 adult, $6 youth.
Entries received after 3/10/11 are $30.00 per person, $6 youth.
Please make checks payable to Caribou Recreation Development.
Awards:
An awards ceremony with snacks, drinks and general good cheer will be held at Bethel Nordic Ski Center after the last finisher.
Contact:
Bethel Inn Nordic Ski Center, phone: 207-824-6276,
e-mail: skishop_caribourecreation.com, www.caribourecreation.com
Womens Ski Group
The Women's Ski Group is an informal gathering of women who like to ski in a social setting. Some members of the group have been skiing for many years, some have skied a couple of times, and still others are new to the sport. This year, we are offering two Women's Groups, one for beginner-to-intermediate skiers, and the other for advanced skiers. Both groups are lead by a female instructor with years of teaching and skiing experience.
Both groups work in the same way: each week we come up with some sort of a theme for a mini-lesson, and a few minutes is spent teaching to that theme. Past lessons have included getting more glide out of your stride, poling techniques, hill work, and specific skate-ski techniques.
The group then either heads out together or as smaller groups. Usually there are people who are looking to enjoy a leisurely ski, while a few others are up for something more challenging. In this way, we can offer a group that women of all skiing abilities can enjoy.
Beginner/Intermediate Women's Ski Group :
Fridays at 3:00 pm
Advanced Women's Ski Group :
Thursdays at 9:00 am
Contact us at the ski shop for more information!
First Moon Relay
Classic Technique
Cross Country Ski Relay Event & Pot Luck Dessert
1 kilometer X 4 (Adult) and .5 km X 4 (Youth)
Saturday Evening, 2011 6:00 PM
This fun filled, fast paced, classic technique event offers a great opportunity to ski too fast after dark and consume many good desserts. This exciting mass start race begins after sunset under the light of the full moon and a few other visual aids, at the Bethel Nordic Ski Center at The Bethel Inn. The course snakes over rolling hills and through fields and pine stands. The route offers a gripping downhill, a minor climb, gentle turns, some point to point lighting and lots of great opportunities to pass, hide, or generally keep the competition guessing. After completing the one kilometer course competitors enter a Tag Zone in an open field and must make physical contact with the next of their four registered team members. The first team to successfully complete the tags and cross the finish line wins.
We will put together teams or you can bring your well-oiled squad, contingent, gaggle or what have you but you must bring dessert. A separate childs course (read shorter, lighter and missing the gripping downhill) will allow the kids to join in the raucous festivities as part of a team or compete against Mom and Dad. (Supervision will be available for the very young or competition bashful youths, during the event.)
Adult 1 km & Youth 0.5 km: 6:00 PM
Race Evening sign-in and registrations: 5:00 to 6: 00
Registrar desks and dessert tables will be at Bethel Inn Nordic Ski Center, (on the common) Bethel, ME
Send Registrations to:
Race Secretary, PO Box 355, Bethel Maine, 04217
Entries are $16.00 per team or $4.00 per person plus a dessert.
An awards ceremony with unbelievably delicious desserts will be held at Bethel Nordic Ski Center after the last finisher.
Bethel Inn Nordic Ski Center, phone: 207-824-6276 e-mail: skishop_caribourecreation.com
Enjoy a fun day on snow. Experience cross-country ski clinics for every level of skier-from first-timers to seasoned masters! In addition to top-notch instruction, there will be wax demonstrations, a fantastic prize drawing and a fabulous lunch at The Bethel Inn. Clothing and equipment retailers will be on hand with items to try and buy.
Registration
Registration is now OPEN for Women's Day. Register early; enrollment is capped at 200 participants.
Women's Day is for skiers ages 13 and up. This is designed to better serve all of our participants!
Click here to register at NENSA
Rentals
Don’t have your own skis? No problem! Bethel Nordic Ski Center Staff are very knowledgeable and would love to outfit you. Please reserve ahead of time if you know that you'd like to rent! There will be clinics in both skate and classic during the day. Rent one set of equipment or both. There will also be Equipment Dealers on hand to help you demo some of their equipment.
Click here to reserve rental skis
Schedule of Events
8:45-9:45 Registration at the Bethel Nordic Ski Center
10 am - 4pm NENSA Expo: Equipment suppliers, wax technicians, outfitters and clothiers from the ski industry will be on hand with goods to try and buy
10 - 11:40 Clinics: Skating and Classic technique clinics for first timers, beginners and intermediate level skiers
11:45 - 1:15 Lunch break & raffle drawing, short talk on equipment
1:30 - 2:45 Clinics: repeat of clinics
2:45 - 3:30 - Fun wrap-up event, drawing of grand raffle prize and light refreshments
Carpooling
NENSA Women’s Day supports carpooling to Bethel. We encourage you to carpool as a way to reduce your environmental impact and share a ride with friends or meet new skiers who live in your area. Consider traveling from home with friends or meet up with other women along the way.
Benefit Organization:
REACH
If you don't have skis or would rather not travel with skis, we can outfit you with rental skis. We strongly suggest that you reserve and pay for the rental skis ahead of time. The Nensa Women’s Day will have clinics in both skate and classic techniques during the day. If you are interested in experimenting with a new technique but are reluctant to jump in with both feet, consider renting one set of equipment for both techniques.
People who rent both ski types can we answer:
1. Switching gear mid day and for what rental fee?
a. Can we track these rental to rearrange skis for new owners after lunch?
b. Can we manage the incoming/ outgoing in the short change over time during lunch
2. Do we charge 2 full-day fees, or 2 half-day fees, or one full-day fee for both skis?
Due to the hectic nature of outfitting everyone prior to the first on snow sessions, we suggest you try to pick up your equipment as early as you can. For instance, if you are planning to arrive the evening before, stop in at the ski shop and pick up your equipment. In addition, the ski shop will be staffed early the day of the event; if you can arrange to arrive a bit early, it will help smooth the transition to the snow.
To Reserve Rental Skis:
Please send an email to the Nordic Center (skishop_caribourecreation.com) by January 27. If you find yourself making reservations after the 27th, please call us directly at 207-824-6276 to help us assure that skis are available.
We will need to know:
• First & Last Name
• Weight
• Height
• Shoe Size (typical sneaker size)
• Daytime Phone Number
• Skiing ability or experience level
• Type of ski (classic ski, skate ski, both types)
A reservation includes pre-payment for the skis equipment (no penalty for backing out last minute—we will fully refund your payment). Use the PayPal link below to make payment or send a check to: Bethel Nordic Ski Center, PO Box 355 Bethel, Maine 04217.
Ski School
Lessons
At the Bethel Nordic Ski Center our instructors are lifetime skiers who believe that developing the skill of skiing makes skiing more enjoyable. The instructors adapt programs to meet individual needs. If you wish to learn basic techniques or hone specific skills, our instructors have the ability and experience. We offer several levels of ski instruction as well as clinics designed to teach specific skills. Adult group lessons are available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers, all taught by experienced staff. We often tailor sessions to meet the individual skiers needs. We believe that children learn best through play, and do not offer lessons to children under the age of 12. We can direct you to programs where children have the opportunity to learn with other children through games. Please contact us for more information about our ski instruction, and to reserve a spot in a lesson.
Adult Group Beginner Lessons: $20
Offered weekends at 10:30am and 1:30pm
and weekdays by appointment
Individual Lessons: $35
Offered Daily by Appointment
Lesson Package: $50
Includes ski rentals, beginner group lesson, and a trail pass
Click here for more info on lessons
Lesson Details
Beginner Lessons:
Learn the basics of classic cross-country skiing techniques: kick and glide, double poling, slowing down and ski etiquette. You will be able to enjoy an afternoon of skiing on our easier trails after this lesson.
Intermediate Lessons:
We cover a comprehensive set of skills and techniques: you will learn downhill techniques such as snowplowing, the parallel turn, and step turns to help negotiate hills with greater confidence and efficiency. Syncopated poling, kick double pole, and developing powerful double pole technique are often covered in this lesson.
Advanced Lessons:
These are designed and are adapted to meet the individual needs of skiers who wish to refine specific techniques, address problem areas, or develop smoother, more effective movements.
Skate Lessons:
Individual lessons for the skier who wants to learn to skate-ski. This lesson can be taught in beginner and intermediate levels, depending on the ability of the skier.
$280 for 2011- 2012 season
$130 for 2011- 2012 season
$110 for 2011- 2012 season
We are now able to process credit cards through PayPal. You do not have to be a registered user of PayPal to take advantage of this service. Your card information is secure.
The alternative method is to send a check, payable to Caribou Recreation Development, LLC to the following address:
Caribou Recreation Development LLC
P.O. Box 355
Bethel, ME 04217
Each Saturday and Sunday
Evening Tours on the full moon
January 15, 7:00 to 8:30pm
February 19, 7:00 to 8:30pm
March 19, 7:00 to 8:30pm
Accommodates 4-10 people (pre-registration suggested)
$15.00 pre-registered
$18.00 walk-ins
$12.00 snowshoe rentals
Guided snowshoe tours are scheduled for Saturdays at 10:30 and 1:00 and Sunday mornings at 10:30. The tour includes nature interpretations of wildlife habitat, track identification, and tree/shrub recognition. Also addressed are the basic dynamics and history of snowshoeing, as well as how to "shoe" efficiently. These walkabouts are designed to intrigue both young and old and are led by a certified wildlife technician from Maritime Canada.
These tours have limited availability so please register early and reserve a spot. Call us at 207-824-6276 for more information about reservations, clothing suggestions, and snowshoe rentals.
Separate backcountry tours off our premises can be arranged. Call Pete at 207-381-7268.
Snowshoe Trails at the Nordic Center
Snowshoe through forest and field, past stonewalls, and tall white pines. Track snowshoe hares and watch Pileated woodpeckers whack a hole into a frozen tree. These are the quintessential Maine experiences available on the eight kilometers of snowshoe trails right out our back door.
There are trails that are perfect for a half-hour outing with the family, to a full-day excursion. Snowshoes are available to rent including sizes for children.
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