Aroostook Outdoor News: 2.5.15 edition
#GroundHogDay:
six more weeks of winter, but we know better. Spring snow showers bring June
flowers. #LoveWinter!
In
this edition: 1) The first official 5k of the year is this weekend. 2) Explore
the Katahdin region in winter next weekend. 3) Great Maine Outdoor Weekend events
are coming up in mid-February. Plus lots more! offugo...
Friday, February 6-Sunday,
February 8
Moosestompers Weekend,
Houlton
Activities
include: Moonlight Snowshoe Hike, Giant Sliding Hill, Family Snowman Building
Contest, Wild Katahdin Trust Snow Run, Cross-country Skiing, Cardboard Derby
Race, Giant Bonfire, and more! Visit www.moosestompers.com FMI
Saturday, February 7
31st Annual Wild Katahdin
Trust Snow Run, Houlton
First
race in the Aroostook Musterds County Challenge Series. Registration: 9:00
a.m. at Millar Arena. 2-mile walk start: 10:45 a.m. 5k run start: 11:00 a.m.
Cost: $12. T-shirts to first 50 registrants. Contact Larry Tonzi tonzimaine@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, February 7
Florenceville-Bristol
Tourism SnowBlast, Florenceville, NB
This
event is a blast for the entire family to celebrate winter! Activities:
youth/adult cardboard classic, snowshoe hikes, taffy on the snow, wacky snow
games, food court, sliding, and more. Contact Florenceville-Bristol Tourism
(506-392-6763) or visit www.florencevillebristol.ca FMI
Thursday, February
12-Sunday, February 15
Katahdin Communities Outing
Club Head North Ski Weekend, Mt. Chase
10:00
a.m.-3:00 p.m. each day at Matagamon Ski Trails, end of Matagamon Rd. Join us
for groomed trails along the East Branch of the Penobscot and fun activities.
Ski equipment available. Cost: $5/day suggested donation. Contact Susan Adams
(207-852-1291) or lunksoos@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, February 14
River Valley Runners Cupid
Run for Haiti, Woodstock, NB
Registration:
9:30 a.m. at St. Gertrude’s Hall, 111 St. Gertrude St. Cost: donation.
Contact River Valley Runners rvrunners@gmail.com FMI
Saturday, February 14
NMMC/FSTA Rally in the
Valley Winter Festival, Madawaska
Kids
of all ages are invited to attend a fun outdoor snow day; skiing, snowshoeing,
tubing, games, and more! Registration: 10:00 a.m. at Four Seasons Lodge. Event:
11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Cost: $5; includes t-shirt and water bottle. Contact Gail
Lamarr (207-834-1459) or gail.lamarr@nmmc.org
FMI
Saturday, February 14
Limestone Ski Club C-Me-Ski
– Aroostook Cup #3, Limestone
A
great classic tour and race. Distances: .5k-2k/ages 12 and under; 7k/ages
13-18; 21k/adults. Registration: 12:00 p.m. at Aroostook National Wildlife
Refuge. Youth race start: 1:00 p.m. Adult race start: 1:30 p.m. Cost:
$10/adult; FREE/youth. Contact Limestone Ski Club (207-328-7491) FMI
Saturday, February 21
Fort Kent Outdoor Center
Winter Women’s Day, Fort Kent
9:00
a.m.-4:00 p.m. Skiing and snowshoeing lessons, yoga or other fitness programs,
food and snacks, and a guest speaker. Fee: $20/club members; $25/non-members.
Contact Laura Audibert la4568@roadrunner.com FMI
Saturday, February 21
Aroostook State Park Winter
Family Fun Day, Presque Isle
10:00
a.m.–3:00 p.m. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating (bring skates),
sliding, snowmobile tote-rides, nature walks, warming hut, bonfire, hot food,
and Smokey the Bear. Fee: $1.50/person ages 12-64; all others FREE. Contact
Aroostook State Park (207-768-8341) FMI
Saturday, February
28–Sunday, March 1
February Frolic Ski Festival
– Aroostook Cups #4 & #5, Caribou
Get
ready for one big weekend of winter fun! Planned events include Aroostook Youth
Ski Festival, Aroostook League Middle School Ski Sprints, Maine State Ski
Sprints (A-Cup #4), Henry Anderson Ski Dag (A-Cup #5), and MUCH more! Contact
Mark Shea (207-498-9952) or mwscshea@gmail.com FMI
Ongoing Programs:
Sunday Saunter Running
Group, Presque Isle
Sundays; 10:00 a.m. at UMPI's
Gentile Hall. Open to all abilities; be ready for an easy run of 30-45 minutes,
and bring friends! Contact Jonathan Kelley competitorme@gmail.com FMI
Van Buren Rec. Youth Hockey,
Van Buren
Sundays; 11:00 a.m. and Mondays,
Wednesdays, Fridays; 3:30 p.m. at the Van Buren Ice Skating Rink (weather
permitting). Come play hockey outdoors! Donations of “real” ice hockey sticks,
helmets, pads, would be greatly appreciated! Contact Michael "Miles"
Garcia (207-868-5059) or vbchamber@gmail.com FMI
Bootlegger Snowshoe Hike,
Rivière-Bleue, QC
Sundays; fourth Sunday of the month
at 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the end of Path Brissette. Get to know the
magical setting of the Bootlegger trails on this guided hike. Contact Jean
Lebrun (418-893-1033) or info1@routedesfrontieres.com FMI
10th Mountain Outdoor Club
Jalbert Pee Wee Biathlon Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 4:00 p.m. at Fort Kent
Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 9 and under. Kids will learn basic skate
skiing skills, go on ski adventures, and play LOTS of games! Cost: FREE!
Contact Gail Johnson stegacosa@yahoo.com FMI
10th Mountain Outdoor Club
Jalbert Youth Biathlon Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent
Outdoor Center. Open to youth ages 10-14; roller skiing, rifle shooting, trail
running, and LOTS of games! Cost: FREE! Contact Gail Johnsonstegacosa@yahoo.com FMI
MWSC Active Maine Project
Adult Nordic Program, Fort Kent
Tuesdays; 6:00 p.m. at Fort Kent
Outdoor Center. The program runs January 20-February 10 and is a fun, social
way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI
MWSC Active Maine Project
Adult Nordic Program, Presque Isle
Thursdays; 6:00 p.m. at Nordic
Heritage Center. The program runs January 22-February 12 and is a fun, social
way to improve your ski skills. Cost: $55. Contact Mike Smith (207-227-0250) or mikes@mainewsc.org FMI
Lonesome Pines Trails Junior
Ski Program, Fort Kent
Saturdays; 9:30-11:30 a.m. For grades
K-8; runs for eight weeks, starting Jan. 31. Fee: $45; includes sweatshirt and
fee waiver for LPT Annual Invitational Race on March 21. Contact Mike Voisine
(207-834-5202) or info@lonesomepines.org FMI
Nordic Heritage Sport Club
Youth XC Ski Program, Presque Isle
Saturdays; 10:00-11:30 a.m. Starts
January 10. Join us for a fun-filled free ski lesson! Grades K-8 welcome; ages
5 and under invited if with adult. Lessons designed for all levels. Visit www.nordicheritagecenter.org FMI
Four Seasons Trail
Association Youth Ski Program, Madawaska
Saturdays; 1:00 p.m. at Four Seasons
Lodge. Visit www.fourseasonstrail.org
FMI
Bigrock Multi-week Youth
Lesson Programs, Mars Hill
Saturdays and Sundays; time and cost varies.
10-week programs start first Saturday in January. Specially designed for junior
skiers/snowboarders of all abilities, including first‐timers;
focus on developing fundamentals in a safe, fun‐filled environment. Contact
Ryan Guerrette (207-425-6711) FMI
