The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) has added 20 new kilometers (12 miles) of trail to its Maine Wilderness Lodges cross-country ski trail network, making it the largest dedicated network of lodge-served, groomed backcountry ski trails in New England. AMC now offers over 130 km (80 miles) of groomed ski trails across its 66,000-acre conservation and recreation property in Maine’s Moosehead Lake region, connecting three AMC-owned lodges and a partner sporting camp. Also for this winter, AMC has added four new private cabins with private baths to its newest lodging destination, Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins, including an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible cabin with private bath, propane heat, and electric power. The new cabins are key components of AMC’s renovation of this traditional Maine sporting camp.

AMC’s Maine Wilderness Lodges network offers a unique opportunity to experience the winter beauty of the remote Maine wilderness while enjoying a private cabin with woodstove and gas lights, plus a home-cooked meal at day’s end—whether skiing lodge-to-lodge or spending several days at one location to ski, snowshoe, or relax. Gear shuttling is also provided, offering guests the convenience of skiing light. Trails are not track-set, but are groomed flat to an enhanced backcountry standard, providing more consistent and enjoyable skiing conditions. All major trails are regularly patrolled by AMC staff.

For more details on winter adventures at AMC’s Maine Wilderness Lodges, including guided programs, lodge-to-lodge skiing, snowshoeing, and dog-sledding, visit http://www.outdoors.org/mainelodges.

AMC’s Maine Wilderness Lodges include Gorman Chairback Lodge & Cabins, Little Lyford Lodge & Cabins, and Medawisla Wilderness Lodge & Cabins. AMC partners with the fourth-generation, family-owned West Branch Pond Camps to provide additional lodge-to-lodge ski opportunities. AMC’s newest lodge, Gorman Chairback, opened in early 2011 as the first sporting camp lodge in Maine to be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-registered.

New ski trails totaling 20 km (12 miles) opening this winter include alternative access trails to AMC’s lodges, letting skiers travel to and between different lodges on multiple trails and creating longer loop trips for experienced skiers. AMC also offers over 20 km of additional trails for snowshoeing, including access trails to the Appalachian Trail and Gulf Hagas, the “Grand Canyon of Maine.” After a day on the trails, take advantage of hot showers at AMC lodges, along with saunas at Little Lyford and Gorman Chairback.

Both Little Lyford and Gorman Chairback make an ideal base for backcountry skiing with doorstep access to a variety of loop trail systems that offer opportunities for day trips of varying lengths and degree of difficulty.

Early season skiers can take advantage of 30 percent off savings at Gorman Chairback for three-night stays from December 29, 2011 – January 12, 2012. Use promotional code GCCW when booking.

Along AMC’s 38 km (24 mile) long lodge-to-lodge trail, heading from Medawisla to Gorman Chairback, skiers experience secluded views of Mt. Katahdin's snow-covered summit and other surrounding peaks as they wind through forests and valleys and follow the frozen Pleasant River, before arriving at Gorman Chairback perched on Long Pond. Distances between the lodges range from 10.5 km – 14 km (6.5 – 9 miles), mostly on trails classified as Easy. For skiers looking for a more challenging experience, there are optional Intermediate trails between West Branch, Little Lyford, and Gorman Chairback. Well suited for beginners is the 9.5 km (6 mile) ski into Little Lyford via the unplowed KI and Upper Valley Roads.

Skiers can plan their own trips or ski with an AMC guide. Guided lodge-to-lodge ski trips are being offered February 17-20 and February 24-26, 2012. AMC is also offering a Learn to Cross-Country Ski Weekend at Medawisla from January 26-29.

Visit AMC’s Maine Wilderness Lodge 2012 Activity Guide for information on outdoor activities throughout the year, including hiking, fly fishing, and paddling: http://www.outdoors.org/pdf/upload/2012_MWI_Recreation_Lodging_Guide.pdf.

Rates and reservations:
Visit http://www.outdoors.org/mainelodges or call (207) 358-5187 for reservations.

Little Lyford and Medawisla nightly rates start at $119 per person for non-members ($99 members) and include private cabin accommodations, home-cooked dinner and breakfast, trail lunch, and hot showers. Gorman Chairback nightly rates start at $134 per person for non-members ($114 members). Gorman Chairback and Little Lyford also feature a wood-fired sauna. Bunkroom accommodations are available at Gorman Chairback and Little Lyford at a lower rate. Taxes are additional. Gorman Chairback opens for the winter full-service season on December 29, 2011. Little Lyford and Medawisla open on January 13, 2012.

For lodge-to-lodge ski rates, visit http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/mainelodges/backcountry-skiing/self-guided-ski-trek.cfm.

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region. The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends upon first-hand enjoyment of the natural environment.