Skiing enthusiasts take note – Captain Nickels is just a half hour’s drive from excellent alpine skiing and more at the Camden Snow Bowl!
You may be surprised to discover a dedicated alpine ski area in MidCoast Maine but there it is. A rarity in the world of skiing: a ski resort offering ocean views from its slopes.
The Camden Snow Bowl is a community-owned ski resort and recreation area offering both alpine and x-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, tobogganing, fat biking, and more.
Outside of the ski season, the Snow Bowl offers all kinds of recreation, including hiking, mountain biking, boating, and fishing. There are also tennis courts and multi-purpose fields for softball and the like.
The Snow Bowl is also a great place to see Maine fall foliage. They run the chair lift in autumn for that very purpose. Both the experience and the foliage and Penobscot Bay views are awesome!
Skiing the Snow Bowl
The Snow Bowl offers more than 20 expanded runs for downhill skiers of all skill levels, plus a handy trail map for finding a run that suits you.
Snow Bowl terrain parks include up to 30 different elements. Short boxes, long boxes, waterfall rails, corrugated pipe, bonks, torpedoes, a dance floor, and even some serious jumps.
Snowmaking is used on over 80% of the mountain and lessons are available to skiers seven years of age and older. Didn’t bring your gear? No problem! The Snow Bowl rents all you need, including skis/snowboard, boots, poles, and helmet.
Hit the Chute
If tobogganing is more your style – or maybe you just want to try it – the Snow Bowl is home to the Jack Williams Toboggan Chute.
This 400-foot-long, handmade, wooden toboggan run was first built in 1936. Don’t let that fact raise a concerned eyebrow, however. Not only has the chute been in successful use ever since, it’s also the site of the annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships!
When the conditions are right, the toboggan chute is flooded with ice and opened to the public. Tobogganing is typically open ski season weekends, February school vacation week, and holidays. It is closed to the public during the National Toboggan Championships, of course.
Camden Snow Bowl
The resort is located at 20 Barnestown Road, Camden, ME 04843.
Snow Bowl hours are 10am to 8pm, Wednesday through Friday and 9am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Visit the resort website for more information. You can also visit it on Facebook.
Camden and the Snow Bowl are an easy 30-minute drive from our Searsport bed and breakfast. Camden, ME is a lovely destination with lots to do and see. Load up the car for a fun day of skiing at the Snow Bowl, then relax over a rejuvenating drink and meal in Camden before heading back to your guest room at Captain Nickels Inn. See you soon!
Updated March 2023