Far from closing down in the winter, the midcoast is a hotbed of activity at the beginning of February, thanks to Camden Winterfest and the U.S. National Toboggan Championships. The activities include snow sculpting, skiing and snowboarding, and a polar plunge, among other fun winter pastimes.

There is even a snow plow parade and everyone is treated to fireworks over the Camden harbor.

My brother and me with my mom in Minnesota – 1975

What I dream of doing, though, is flying down the toboggan chute. When I was a kid, my dad used to take us sledding (in Minnesota, Colorado, and Nebraska) on a plastic toboggan that rolled right up. That thing FLEW. We had so many great winter days on that toboggan.

The U.S. Toboggan Championships at the Camden Snow Bowl are a festive, grown-up version of that.

My other sled from the Eighties…

Where to Stay for Winterfest?

Sadler House is a 15-20 minute drive from the Camden Snow Bowl. If you’d like to bring the kids up to ski by the sea during February Break, or if you’d like to see Winterfest for yourselves next year, give us a shout and we can book you into our cozy house near the festivities.

We’re oil-heated and toasty warm with down comforters and microfiber blankets, plus we have WiFi so you can upload all your great pictures and enjoy watching a wintry movie on Netflix when you come home.

If going out on the town is more your style, leave your cars in the driveway and stroll a few blocks to great restaurants like Rock Harbor Brewing Co. and In Good Company (or a wine!). Winter amusements abound in Rockland, too.

HOLD ON TIGHT!