Not a skier? Wondering what to do while your friends and family are schussing through fresh Maine powder? Here are some ideas to keep you busy near ski resorts until you can join them for après ski fun.

NEAR SUNDAY RIVER

Bethel, home of the snow-covered peaks of Sunday River, is a winter playground filled with outdoor sports opportunities, from ice skating and snowshoeing to dogsledding and sleigh rides. If you’ve never tried any of these activities, you’ll find lessons and equipment here, as well. If playing in the snow doesn’t attract you, there’s more to do indoors.

Photo: Robert Forster via Pixabay

For those who love being outdoors and enjoying nature, cross-country skiing is more appealing than downhill. Bethel Village Trails begin at the Bethel Resort, with Nordic ski and snowshoe trails, lessons, and a full range of rental equipment for both sports. Glide through forests and across fields on tracked and classic trails with views of the Mahoosuc Mountains.

For skaters, the Bethel Community Ice Rink, at the end of Philbrook St., is free and open during daylight hours. For something more adventuresome, consider dogsledding. Mahoosuc Guide Services can take you on a thrilling day trip where you’ll meet the team, learn the skills, and enjoy an exhilarating ride on Umbagog Lake or through the Mahoosuc Mountains.

For a different kind of ride, share a romantic evening trip in a horse-drawn sleigh from Deepwood Farm. Book ahead for rides leaving every half hour from The Bethel Inn in the center of town.

Not all the winter fun in Bethel is outdoors. Stock up on Maine souvenirs and locally crafted gifts at Maine Line Products on Main Street, specializing in all things made in Maine. The large shop sells everything from wood crafts and artisan foods to Moxie logo souvenirs and kids’ building log sets.

Photo: jatocreate via Pixabay

Just outside the town center, stop at the rambling farmhouse and barn of Steam Mill Antiques and immerse yourself in vintage collectibles, from fine China to rustic farm tools, well displayed for hours of browsing. For smaller but well-chosen antiques and vintage finds, visit Bennett’s Antiques on Mechanic Street. Along with vintage toys, books, and mid-century décor, you’ll find beautiful gems and minerals.

For an eye-boggling display of minerals and gems, visit The Maine Mineral and Gem Museum. Amid the dazzling gemstones, you’ll learn about meteorites and see how Maine’s unique watermelon tourmaline got its name. In the shop, you can buy a crystal to wear, or geodes to take home for the kids.

You can warm your toes in front of the stone fireplace at Sunday River Brewing Company, a microbrewery and brew pub, while you wait for the skiers to join you. Or brew hop further down Sunday River Road to Steam Mill Brewing (www.steammillbrew.com) which serves small-batch craft beers made with local ingredients, such as Maine malt and hops. For a snack, while you wait, try the blueberry grilled cheese sandwich, made with Maine blueberry jam and Brie.

NEAR SADDLEBACK

The Rangeley Lakes Region is another winter playground with a winning combination of lakes and mountains. Cross-country skiers have several choices of 50 kilometers of single- and double-tracked trails at Rangely Lakes Trails Center, which cover gentle to challenging terrain between the Saddleback Ski Area and Saddleback Lake. Rich Gacki, a Registered Maine Guide, offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing lessons, and winter tours.

While snowshoeing doesn’t require groomed trails, they are much easier to traverse. You’ll find them at Rangeley Lakes Trails Center, and you can rent snowshoes in all sizes at the Rangeley Adventure Co. While there, you will find all-season outdoor gear with a preference for Maine-made.

Some of Maine’s best snowmobiling is here, and the Rangeley Lakes Snowmobile Club oversees professional grooming and maintenance of the Ronald W. Sargent Trail System. For sled and gear rental, contact Mountain View Adventures.

With all the frozen lakes, there’s plenty of ice, but for smooth, safe skating, head for the free rink at Haley Pond behind the Rangeley Adventure Co. Pick up free loaner skates in the store, courtesy of the Rangeley Skating Club, which maintains the rink. It’s lighted for night skating and has a cozy warming hut.

For indoor entertainment, Moose Alley is a state-of-the-art bowling alley with an arcade, bar and grill. Live entertainment makes it popular on weekends, as do special Sunday rates. Furbish Brew House is known for craft beers and ciders, along with brick oven pizza. The Portage Tap House, in nearby Oquossoc, is another casual gastropub worth visiting with craft beer and comfort food.

NEAR SUGARLOAF

The centers of winter activity in the Carrabassett Valley area are the town of Kingfield and Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine’s largest ski resort. You’ll find dining, lodging, and resort facilities at the base of the ski area and a variety of off-slope sports at the nearby Outdoor Center. Kingfield, 15 miles from the mountain, offers further dining and diversions.

Photo: Kenneth Sookhai via Pixabay

Sugarloaf’s Outdoor Center grooms 90 km of cross-country trails for classic and skate skiing, with dedicated, well-marked snowshoe trails. The Outdoor Center also has an NHL-sized skating rink with an array of rental skates for adults and children. Saturday evening 5 to 7 p.m. is Family Night; skating lessons are available on Wednesdays.

Another popular place for cross-country skiing is the six-mile Narrow Gauge Pathway, a former railway bed alongside the Carrabassett River. For serious Nordic skiers, Kingfield is an access point for the Maine Huts and Trails’ 80-mile network of groomed backcountry trails. Along this route are comfortable lodges where you can stop to warm up and get breakfast, lunch, and dinner, free coffee and tea, and wine and beer.

To stay active and in shape without braving the cold, the Sugarloaf Sports & Fitness Center includes an indoor pool and hot tubs, a weight room and courts for wallyball, racquetball, pickleball, and ping pong.

In Kingfield, stop at the Stanley Museum to see America’s first steam-powered cars and learn about the local Stanley brothers who invented them. Shop for Maine-made clothing, crafts, and home décor (check the hand-fired Sugarloaf coffee mugs) at Made in Maine on Main Street

Sample dry ciders made from Maine apples, in the farmhouse tasting room at Orchard Girls Cidery in Kingfield, and find Maine craft beer at Rolling Fatties on Main Street. In the base lodge at the mountain. Shipyard Brew Haus at Sugarloaf offers a cozy space where you can enjoy a pint while waiting for friends and family to join you for après-ski.

This winter when your family or friends invite you to join them on a ski trip, don’t hesitate. You’ll find plenty to do while they ski.

Story by Bobbie Randolph. Bobbie is a New England native and lifelong skier, but she finds plenty of ways to enjoy winter off the slopes, too. She writes about outdoor sports and activities throughout the region and in all seasons, but winter is her favorite.