MARS HILL, Maine — Skiers and snowboarders in central Aroostook County started their winter recreation season in especially cold weather this year, sometimes prompting the choice between bundling up or staying inside.
Despite a good layer of snow on the ground, area ski hills were closed often during the holiday week due to near- or below-zero temperatures and wind chills that made it feel like -10, -20 or colder.
Due to the frigid cold and wind, Bigrock Mountain in Mars Hill closed last Wednesday and Thursday, and then again on Monday and Tuesday of the New Year.
Quoggy Jo Ski Center in Presque Isle also was closed over most of the holidays, opening only on Tuesday Dec. 26 and Saturday Dec. 30.
December’s monthly average temperature in Caribou was 13.4 degrees, 4.8 degrees colder than the historical average of 18.2, according to the National Weather Service station in Caribou. Twelve December days had low temperatures below zero.
Caribou also received 34 inches of snow in December, 11 inches more than the historical average for the month, according to the National Weather Service.
On Saturday at Bigrock, more than a few hardy skiers and snowboarders showed up, including some first time skiers, according to Bigrock ski instructor Elaine Hendrickson. Along with Bigrock regulars, families on vacation from Miami and Brazil also visited the mountain for their first ever time skiing, Hendrickson said.
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- A skier braves to cold at Bigrock on the lower Uncle Bud’s trail on the morning of New Year’s Eve in near-zero temperatures. (Anthony Brino)
Bigrock plans to reopen Wednesday Jan. 3, a day ahead of a potential storm Thursday, and the mountain’s snow tubing slope needs more snow before it can open.
According to the National Weather Service, the storm could bring 6 to 10 inches of snow to the St. John Valley and much of Aroostook County, and a foot or more to the Down East coast.
Quoggy Jo plans to open next on Saturday, Jan. 6, although Friday and Saturday could also coincide with another below-zero cold snap, according to the National Weather Service.
Central Aroostook cross country ski trails are also ready for skiers after storms in late December.
At the Nordic Heritage Center, which also has snowshoeing and winter mountain biking trails, the entire trail system has been groomed. The Nordic Heritage Center recommends skiing with a friend during especially cold temperatures or challenging conditions.
On Saturday Jan. 6, the Nordic Heritage Center kicks off the Bill Koch Club lesson series for children in fourth through eighth grade.
At Aroostook State Park, about 90 percent of the 15 mile cross country trail system has been groomed and all of the park’s snowshoeing trails are in good condition, according to a December 29 update.
The park’s sliding hill, leading down to Echo Lake, should open in the first weeks of January as the lake’s ice solidifies.
Aroostook State Park will host a Winter Family Fun Day Saturday, Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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- Larry’s Construction works to remove snow that has accumulated behind the Aroostook County Superior Court in Caribou on Jan. 2. (Christopher Bouchard)
