Don’t miss these uber fun, only-in-Maine winter events

January 15, 2019

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I love Maine in winter. I embrace the quietude, love playing outdoors in the snow, and I especially love the special events that celebrate the season. Here are two of my favorites—and you don’t have to love the outdoors to enjoy them.

U.S. National Tobogganing Championships

The U.S. National Toboggan Championships features costumed teams racing down the Camden Snow Bowl's toboggan chute. — *Participate in or simply watch the annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships in Camden.*

Register now, if you want to fly down the 440-foot wooden chute at the Camden Snow Bowl as a competitor in the U.S. National Tobogganing Championships, Feb. 8-10. The icy chute shoots sleds out on frozen Hosmer Pond at the base of the town-owned winter recreation area (with alpine skiing and snowboarding).

Up to 400 teams from around the world are expected at this annual event, which is equally fun to watch. Participants race down the chute twice during Saturday’s qualifications; the best move on to Sunday’s finals. Most teams dress in costumes, and there’s even a costume parade, noon on Saturday, complete with judges and trophies.

There’s no fee to watch the races, but there’s a parking fee for the Snow Bowl lot. Save bucks by taking the shuttle buses running from the village green downtown.

MTM TIPS: Consider making a day of it by pairing watching the races with skiing or riding at the Snow Bowl, where you can see out over island-salted Penobscot Bay from the summit. On Friday, 11am-4pm, the chute is open to the public for a modest per-person fee, rental toboggans are available.

Paint the Town Red

Paint the Town Red, a romance-themed event sponsored by the Kennebunkport Resort Collection, brightens Kennebunkport in February, with events scheduled almost every Saturday. Here’s a sampling of the 2019 offerings:

• Feb. 2: Frosted! A Freezing Good Time Ice Bar at The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel, 7-10pm ($55).

• Feb. 9: Drinks through the Decades at The Burleigh, an interactive mixology class, 1-3pm ($40)

• Feb. 16: Wine and Valentines at The Burleigh, three wine tastings paired with hors d’oeuvres, 1-3pm ($20pp or $35couple)

• Feb. 23: Oyster Shucking Class at The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel, shuck a half-dozen oysters, wine tasting, and snacks, 1-3pm, $45pp

A Red Plate Dinner Series is also part of the event:

• Feb. 16: Sushi-Making Demo & Dinner at The Boathouse Waterfront Hotel, interactive demonstration with light bites and sake tasting followed by a three-course meal, 4-6pm, $50pp

• Feb. 9: Earth Pop-Up at Ocean, a first taste of the 2019 Earth menu, welcome cocktails and apps, followed by a three-course dinner with wine pairings, 6-9pm (from $125)

• Feb. 14: Valentines Day Dinner at The Burleigh and the Boathouse Waterfront Hotel

One signature event of Paint the Town Red is Frosted! A Freezing Good Time ice bar, with a drink luge. — *Don’t miss the drink luge at the Frosted! A Freezing Good Time ice bar. ©Hilary Nangle*

Of course, two-night themed lodging packages are available from $479, and all kinds of attractive add-ons are offered from Dom Perignon served in Waterford flutes to a custom engagement ring. Shuttle transportation is available from Portland International Jetport for $40 pp each way.

MTM TIPS: Bring snowshoes or cross-country skis to enjoy nearby preserves, such as The Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm. Bring mad money to spend at local shops, many of which will have sales in progress.