Hut Skiing & Snowshoeing Trips
From flat, wide trails to steep descents, our trail difficulty ranges from beginner to advanced and offers something for every outdoor enthusiast. Suggested trip itineraries vary depending on skill and experience level.
Cross Country Skiing Trips
NOVICE SKIERS
Novice skiers are beginners who stick to mostly green trails. These trips are great if you’re looking to take family or friends on a trip that everyone will enjoy with minimal experience. Someone new to backcountry Nordic skiing would fall in this category, as it is different from resort trails.
Suggested Beginner Trips:
Flagstaff Lake Hut: Total mileage 4.4 – Park at the Flagstaff Hut Trailhead and follow the Maine Hut Trail 2.2 miles to the Hut. This is an easy green trail that winds through the woods. Great for all ages and abilities! View the map for this beginner trip to Flagstaff Lake Hut.
Poplar Stream Hut: Total mileage 6.6 – Park at the Airport Trailhead and follow the Maine Hut Trail 3.3 miles to Poplar Hut. This section of the Maine Hut Trail is a combination of beginner and intermediate levels, making it great for beginners seeking a little more elevation gain. View the map for this beginner trip to Poplar Stream Hut.
INTERMEDIATE SKIERS
An intermediate skier is someone who is comfortable skiing trails of medium difficulty with more technical terrain and challenging ascents and descents.
Suggested Intermediate Trips:
Stratton Brook Hut: Total mileage 6.2 – Park at the Stratton Brook Trailhead and ascend Newton’s Revenge (upper and lower Newton’s) to the summit. Skiers seeking a longer route may start at the Airport Trailhead and ascend Crommett’s Trail. View the map for this intermediate trip to Stratton Brook Hut via the Stratton Trailhead or the map via Crommett’s Trail.
Two Hut Trip Stratton Brook/Poplar Stream: Total mileage 15.6 – Park at the Airport Trailhead and ski either way to Stratton Hut or Poplar Stream Hut. Both huts can be reached from the Airport Trailhead parking lot. Depending on the mode of transportation and experience level, it may take anywhere between 3 and 8 hours to travel between Huts in winter. View the map for the Stratton Brook and Poplar Stream Trip.
Three Hut Trip Flagstaff Lake/Poplar Stream/Stratton Brook Hut: Total mileage 24.7 – Visit all three huts for the quintessential hut-to-hut experience. Distances between huts and trailheads range from 2.2 miles to 11.8 miles between huts. Depending on the mode of transportation and experience level, it may take anywhere between 3 and 8 hours to travel between Huts in winter. This trip is not for beginners! You will start and end at different trailheads, so you will need to stage cars or arrange transport for this trip. View the map for a three hut trip.
ADVANCED SKIERS
Advanced skiers can handle the most challenging terrain and backcountry snow conditions.
Suggested Advanced Trips:
Two Hut Trip Poplar Stream/Flagstaff Lake Hut: Total mileage 17.3 – Distances between huts and trailheads range from 2.2 miles to 11.8 miles. Depending on the mode of transportation and experience level, it may take anywhere between 3 and 8 hours to travel between Huts in winter. You will start and end at different trailheads, so you will need to stage cars or arrange transport for this trip. View the map for a Poplar and Flagstaff Hut trip.
Three Hut Trip Stratton Brook/Poplar Stream/Flagstaff Lake Hut: Total mileage 24.7 – Visit all three huts for the ultimate hut-to-hut trip. Distances between huts and trailheads range from 2.2 miles to 11.8 miles. Depending on the mode of transportation and experience level, it may take anywhere between 3 and 8 hours to travel between Huts in winter. You will start and end at different trailheads, so you will need to stage cars or arrange transport for this trip. View the map for a three hut trip.
Ready to go? Book Your Trip Now. Not sure what to bring? Check out our amenities page and view our suggested packing list.
Hut Snowshoeing Trips
NOVICE SNOWSHOERS
First time on snowshoes, or planning an overnight with the family? These trips offer gentle terrain, and each direction is 3.3 miles or less. Stay on the Maine Hut Trail, or explore some of the unique side trails perfect for snowshoers.
Suggested Beginner Trips and Routes
1. Flagstaff Lake Hut: Total mileage 4.4 – Park at the Flagstaff Hut Trailhead and follow the Maine Hut Trail to the Hut. This is an easy green trail that winds through the woods. Great for all ages and abilities! View the Maine Hut Trail to Flagstaff Lake Hut.
Side Trail: Shore Trail: 2 miles – Follow along Flagstaff Lake and see beautiful vistas overlooking the lake and mountains. View the Flagstaff Lake Hut Shore Trail.
2. Poplar Stream Hut: Total mileage 6.6 – Park at the Airport Trailhead and follow the Maine Hut Trail through the woods and long the Poplar Stream to Poplar Hut. This section of the Maine Hut Trail is a combination of beginner and intermediate levels, making it great for beginners seeking a little more elevation gain. View the trail to Poplar Stream Hut.
Side Trail: Warren’s Trail: 1.6 miles – This winding trail ascends through ancient tree growth and makes for a great loop to see waterfalls and wildlife. The bridge crossing over Poplar Stream Falls is a great stopping point for photos. View the map for Warren’s Trail.
Side Trail: Larry’s Trail: 1.1 miles – Larry’s follows along the other side of Poplar Stream from Warren’s Trail. This scenic trail offers stunning views of South Brook Falls and the intricate stone steps which lead up to the groomed Maine Hut Trail. View the map for Larry’s Trail.
INTERMEDIATE AND EXPERIENCED SNOWSHOERS
Snowshoers looking for more varied terrain, greater distances, and invigorating challenges will enjoy our more advanced trip options listed below.
Suggested Intermediate and Advanced Trips and Routes
1. Stratton Brook Hut: Total mileage 6.2 – From the Stratton Brook Trailhead, warm up on the Narrow Gauge Pathway, then trek up Newton’s Revenge for a continuous 600 ft ascent. Enter the alpine landscape with a few punchy switchbacks and be greeted with views of the Bigelow Mountain skyline. View the snowshoe route to Stratton Brook Hut.
Alternative Trail: Oak Knoll: 3 miles – Moderately challenging ungroomed route, featuring plenty of switchbacks that cover 713 feet of climbing. View that map for Oak Knoll Trail.
2. Stratton Brook and Poplar Stream Hut Loop: Total mileage 15.6 – Best two-hut loop that starts and ends at the same trailhead. Miles for each day vary from 3.3 to 7.6 miles. Depending on the mode of transportation and experience level, it may take anywhere between 3 and 8 hours to travel between Huts in winter. View the map for this two hut trip.
Side Trails: See Larry’s and Warren’s above.
3. Waterfall Loop Poplar Stream: Total mileage from hut 4.5 – This day loop to explore both waterfalls around Poplar Hut is a must see! View map of waterfall loop.
Start your adventure! Book your trip now. Don’t forget to check out our amenities page and view our suggested packing list.
Maine Huts & Trails Winter Trail Rules
Please remember the following rules when using the Maine Huts & Trails system:
- Pay attention to posted signage along the trail system indicating open areas appropriate for skiing and/or snowshoeing.
- Stay in control and ski responsibly.
- Slow down and announce your presence when you catch up to other skiers on the trail. Pass slowly and safely.
- Walk on the side of the trail if a section is too technical and you need to remove your skis.
- No dogs on the trail between November and April. Our trails pass through animal overwintering habitat.