Hi All,
I'm a Rhode Islander and have always rode in NH. But we want to try Maine this year. Last year we rented a storage locker for our sleds in northern NH and it worked out great. No more long distance trailering. I see that newport Maine is about the same mileage as Colebrook from my house but all interstate drive which makes it closer time wise. What are the trail like in the Newport area? Is it well connected to other areas? What's the snow cover usually like? Are the trails known to ice up? Do I need to travel that far to expect good snowcover on a consistance basis?
Any info is greatly appreciated,
Happy Trails
Boris

I live about twenty minutes from Newport. The main trail is the old rail bed. Goes to Greenville and beyond! It is also the atv trail during the summer, we have done it several times and it is a nice ride. During the winter, it is the main dragstrip to Greenville! Tons of interconnecting trails, and usually groomed really nice. Lots of traffic on that trail though, so you have to be careful. Snow cover is usually pretty good unless we have a low snow year. Last season was excellent. Pretty much you can go anywhere in the state from about anywhere you want. Lots of trails in Maine. Any other questions, let me know!

thanks for the info. it looks more and more like we will be riding Maine this year. Sorry new hampshire.

The railbed does get chewed up from all the traffic in Newport but the groomers do a nice job and the inter-connecting trails are fabulous. As long as you have snow and a map you can count on some great riding. Thanks to all of the local clubs who volunteer their time brushcutting, grooming, and signing to give us some of the nicest local riding imagineable. Also, a BIG thanks goes out to all the landowners who allow us to ride from our front door to pretty much anywhere we want to go. Come on up and give us a try, you won't be dissapointed.
600cat.

thanks for the info. looks good that Newport will be our homeport this year.

I agree with the other Maine posts above, but I'll add my 2 cents... I live about 6 miles from Newport in Pittsfield and we go to Greenville a lot via Newport. I will also throw out unloading in Pittsfield, which has extremely well groomed trails. And I'm not just saying that because I live here. We have a very dedicated groomer operator who works daily on the trails. (I'm from northern Maine originally, so I think nothing around here compares to those trails!) Anyway, Pittsfield is about 10 miles via the trails to Newport. There are a couple places to unload and really good food at our snowmobile club house, but I wouldn't recommend the lodging here.

what is the name of the club in Pittsfield? Where is the club located?

It's called Pittsfield Driftbusters Snowmobile Club and it's located on the ITS85 trail. I'll attach a pdf of our map if I can. If it doesn't work, I can email it to you. The clubhouse is labeled near the middle of the map. It's not far from town on Peltoma Ave. The cook, Kathy, will be open Friday-Sunday during the season. We especially like breakfast there, but she has good food anytime. The parking lot isn't huge, otherwise I'd say you could unload there. There is an old garage parking lot right off the trail near Manson Park or another parking lot in town near the post office that people use to unload. I can get you better details, too, if needed.
Click to view attachment

I have to add to turbogirls post. Pittsfield actually has probably the BEST early riding in the area. They start grooming way before any of the others do. Provides for a nice well packed base trail. I ride the Pittsfield trail system alot. They groom almost to my door(few hundred yards away). You definitely know when you hit that trail system! Now if only the Canaan club could take a hint!!! Hartland and Athens also do an excellent job with there trails. I live on the Hartland/Cannan border trail and our riding is usually on par with the Pittsfield group. Nice area to ride in. If you get the chance you should try it out. The rail bed is nice but does get beat up pretty quick. We have found nicer trails if you take the scenic route.

This will be our first year to ride Maine. Is the season held off to a certain date the way NH does? (Dec 15) or does it depend on snow conditions?

It depends on snow conditions in our area. We'll start grooming as soon as there is enough snow (sometimes we may not get enough until late Dec or Jan). Up north in Aroostook County, where I'm originally from, they may start a little earlier. It's best to check trail conditions via the Maine Snowmobile Association website as it has links to many clubs around the state.
http://www.mesnow.com

I do the majority of my riding in that area. We ride from my gramps camp in stetson and the local trails are awesome like everyone has said but the RR bed does get chewed up and bumpy on the weekends. Give it a shot there is def some good riding to be had!!