3 Maine’s snowmobiling season generally begins in December and lasts through the end of March.

3 Maine has an outstanding variety of snowmobile trails, from mountain areas near Rangeley to the woods around Moosehead Lake and the open spaces in Aroostook County.

3 There are more than 12,500 miles of snowmobile trails in Maine including 546 miles of the Northeast Snowmobile trail, a 3,000-mile Interstate Trail system and more than 7,000 miles of trails maintained by Maine’s 290 snowmobile clubs.

3 Trails on state lands include varied terrain from rugged mountain trails at Mount Blue State Park to old logging roads in Washington County and scenic panoramas in the Evans Notch area.

3 Snowmobiling began in Maine in the mid-1960s, and some of the first clubs were in the Augusta area.

3 The snowmobile club in Millinocket near Baxter State Park has a museum featuring some of the earliest snowmobiles and winter vehicles.

3 The International Snowmobile Festival is held each winter in the Aroostook County’s Saint John Valley. Snowmobilers from the U.S. and Canada are allowed to cross the border and use trails on either side.

The event is preceded by a snowmobile parade from Canada to the United States.

3 Snowmobile rentals are available in most areas.

3 Guided snowmobile tours are offered by some professional Maine Guides and through snowmobile centers. Guides provide instruction, leadcustomers along established routes or custom-tailor tours for wildlife viewing or B&B to B&B travel.

3 Maine’s sense of humor is on display at events such as the Frank Duffy Memorial Golf Classic at Prong Pond where snowmobiles become golf carts and “golfers” play on a frozen pond, and at Greenville’s Moosehead Magic Festival where there is a blindfolded snowmobile obstacle course.

Resources:

3 Maine Snowmobile Association (MSA), Bob Meyers, director, PO Box 77, Augusta, ME 04332; 207-622-6983; e-mail: mesnow mesnow.com. Ask for a state-wide trail map.

3 Trails condition hotline: 207-626-5717; Northern Maine Snowmobile Trail Map; Northern Maine Development Commission, PO Box 779, Caribou, ME 04736; 888-216-2463. Current trail conditions also available.

3 Snowmobile Program, Bureau of Parks and Lands, Scott Ramsey,

coordinator; Department of Conservation, Station 22, Augusta, ME 04333; 207-287-4957.

3 Maine Professional Guides Association, PO Box 847, Augusta, ME 04332.

3 For information on snowmobile registration, laws and safety: Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 284 State Street, Station 41, Augusta, ME 04333, 207-287-2043.

3 Daily trail condition updates, registration and other information may be found at www.mesnow.com.