A Local’s Guide to Carter’s Cross-Country Ski Center in Bethel, Maine: Best Trails, Nearby Eats, and More!

Carter’s is a family-owned ski center that has been operating for over 35 years. They pride themselves on providing a positive experience for visitors of all ages and have some of the best cross-country ski trails in Western Maine. Whether you enjoy a slow ski through pasture land or a fast ski with twists and turns, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views around every corner and memories to cherish for a lifetime.

In this blog post, we will share everything you need to know before skiing at Carter’s Cross-Country Ski Center—travel tips, the best trails, lodging recommendations, how to avoid crowds, the best nearby restaurants, insider tips, and more! Ski you out there!

History

Carter's was founded in 1970 by the Carter family. Originally a small, family-operated ski area, it quickly gained popularity among ski lovers. Carter’s is situated on a scenic 200-acres, offering diverse trails that cater to skiers of all skill levels. Over the years, Carter's has worked hard to expand its trail systems and facilities to provide the best experience possible for skiers. The center is beloved by locals and vacationers—a reflection of the Carter’s family ability to provide quality outdoor recreation and foster a sense of community.

Travel Tips

• From most major cities North and South, I-95 is the primary access highway. From all points South, Take Exit 63 (the Gray exit) and Route 26 North into Bethel. From all points North, take Exit 75 in Augusta, followed by ME US-202 East, ME-4 North, and then follow ME-26 South into Bethel. Once you arrive in Bethel, you’ll see signs for Carter’s XC Ski Center.

• ME-26 can get congested from 9-11:00a.m. and 4-6:00p.m. on weekends due to the large volume of skiers headed to/from Sunday River so be sure to plan accordingly.

• Carter’s has plenty of parking. The earlier you arrive the greater chance you’ll have at scoring a good parking spot.

• Turn your day trio into a weekend trip using our Bethel Winter Weekend Itinerary.

The Lodge

The Willowbrook Lodge is located on the Intervale Road in Bethel. It’s the “central hub” of the ski center where you can purchase ski tickets, ski gear, and rental equipment. Friendly staff members will provide all the information you need on ski conditions, trails, equipment, and more.

Trails

Carter’s offers a variety of trails and terrain, making it ideal for skiers of all levels. Their beginner trails are located alongside the beautiful Androscoggin River and feature long rolling hills and open fields. Their intermediate/Difficult trails are located just a 5-minute drive away, on Swan Hill Road. These trails have fantastic views and are a lot of fun—filled with twists, turns, and challenging hills. The best part—all the trails are dog-friendly, so your pup can join in on the fun!

My favorite trails:

• Upper/Lower Sand Pasture: this gradual, rolling loop trail provides great views of the Androscoggin and surrounding mountains.

• Carter’s Pastures: flat, wide-open trails that provide sweeping views

• Leo’s Lane: this challenging trail provides outstanding views of the Bethel Region

• Fox Run: a steep trail that will raise your heart rate!

Lodging

Slopeside

Carter’s has several off-grid, trailside cabins located just steps from the mountain trails. They do not have running water or electricity, but they do have cozy wood stoves, convenient trail access, and fantastic views. My favorites are the Camp Fern Cabin and the Farwell Mountain Cabin.

Nearby

There is no shortage of quality accommodations in the Bethel region— with hotels, inns, resorts, condos, and property rentals all available—there are options for every budget.

• The Bethel Resort + Suites (downtown Bethel)

• The Elizabeth Inn and Restaurant (downtown Bethel)

• The Jordan Hotel (20 minute drive)

• Grand Summit Hotel (15 minute drive)

• Snow Cap Inn (15 minute drive, dog-friendly)

Additional Activities

Ice Skating

The Bethel Recreation Department maintains a community ice rink on Philbrook Street in downtown Bethel. Check out the ice rink Facebook page for daily updates on conditions. At this time, the rink is bring-your-own skates.

Bowling

River Lanes is the local bowling alley/arcade/sports bar and is only a 10-minute drive from the mountain.

Movie Theater

Bethel’s locally-owned independent movie theater, The Gem, offers all the latest and greatest films in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. Their ticket and food prices are extremely reasonable and they offer a great selection of snacks, candy, pizza, draft beer, and canned alcoholic beverages.

Downhill Skiing

Bethel has two amazing ski mountains—Mt. Abram and Sunday River.

Mt. Abram is your typical laid-back, family-friendly ski mountain. They have 42 trails, 4 lifts, and a majority of their trails are beginner/intermediate. They have two base lodges—one with a cafeteria and one with a restaurant/bar called the Loose Boots Lounge that offers live music on weekends.

Sunday River is a ski resort. They’re owned and operated by Boyne Resorts, which means the mountain is equipped with high-speed lifts, innovative snowmaking equipment, several base lodges, restaurants, bars, and other amenities. The mountain has 884 skiable acres, 139 trails, and 19 lifts. Click here to get the inside scoop on skiing Sunday River.

Dining

• Gemini Cafe and Bakery serves up some awesome homemade breakfast sandwiches and bagels.

• The Local Hub, a local breakfast + lunch spot with delicious smoothies, sandwiches, and a great selection of hot breakfast foods.

• Le Mu Eats offers elevated comfort foods with an Asian flare—think ramen and drunken noodles.

• Steam Mill Brewing has small batch craft beer, delicious cocktails, and comforting entrees.

• The infamous Suds Pub is beloved by locals—everyone loves their pizza and live music.

Insider Tips

• In my opinion, the best time to visit Carter’s is Monday-Friday in February or March.

• The beginner trails by the lodge are typically busiest. Head up to the mountain trails if you want a quieter ski.

• Not sure what to wear cross-country skiing? Click here to learn how to dress for cross-country skiing.

• Bring dry, cozy clothes to change into after skiing. Trust me—it will make your ride home so much more enjoyable!

Leave no Trace

When it comes to enjoying time outdoors, remember the golden rule: Leave No Trace. It’s as simple as picking up after yourself, staying on the trails, and leaving nature just as beautiful as you found it. Think of it like being a good guest—keep things clean, respect the wildlife, take only memories and leave behind only footprints. By practicing Leave No Trace, you help preserve the magic of Maine for future adventurers to enjoy, so everyone can keep enjoying the same beautiful, wild world we love.

Interested in more insider Maine skiing tips and recommendations? You can find them all here.

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With love,

My Maine