All things considered, this winter has actually brought many good days of winter trails at Aroostook State Park, the Nordic Heritage Center, Mantle Lake Park and elsewhere.
More than 30 people came to the Nordic center for the first of its youth ski program series last Saturday, in sunny and comfortably cool weather.
In the series, which runs every Saturday at 10 a.m. through April 2, Paul and Steve Towle and other volunteer skiers help mostly youngsters and teenagers learn how to cross country ski. They start on the flats near the Nordic center’s lodge and then work their way through some of the descending and ascending trails.
Despite rains, swinging temperatures and the many snow-less fields seen through the second half of February, many of the ski and snowshoe trails in central Aroostook have remained at least passable but usually with healthy layers of snow, particularly for skiing.
“They are certainly far from being perfect. But they are fairly good considering the snow base and the crazy winter that we have received,” said Scott Thompson, manager of Aroostook State Park.
The park had to cancel its annual family day on Feb. 20, but by the next weekend some fresh snow and debris clearing left most of the major trails around Quaggy Jo Mountain open to skiers and snowshoers. Some visitors took the opportunity of the packed snow and walked around the Mountain Trail in hiking boots.
“We are open,” said Thompson. “Folks should understand the conditions and to use caution in all downhill areas of our trail system.”
