Things to Do at Pineland Farms in Winter: Cross Country Skiing, Igloos and More

Not everyone wants to drive the three hours from the coast up into the mountains of Sunday River and Sugarloaf for skiing, but if you want good downhill, that’s where you need to do. If you’re up for just nordic skiing, aka cross country skiing, you actually have lots of choices all around the Portland, Freeport and Camden areas, but today we’re talking about Pineland Farms in Freeport. This is a great winter destination for having fun outdoors and making a whole day of activities and good food.

Pineland Farms is always great to visit (it’s beautiful in fall!) but in the winter it is ideal for enjoying snowy trails and farm fresh eats. And igloos. We’ve got the full scoop in visiting Pineland Farms in the winter for skiing and other fun activities. If you have any questions about the trails, ski rentals or any of the other things to do here, including in other seasons, please leave a comment or send us a note. We find ourselves at Pineland Farms quite often so have lots to share to help you enjoy your time in Maine!

Why Pineland Farms for Winter Activities

There are lots of state parks in Maine so you’ve got tons of places to access trails that could be good for skiing or snowshoeing, but these wild trails can sometimes be unpredictable and most don’t offer services like rentals or lunch, which is totally fine if you’re a self-contained travel experience. If you need rentals you’ll need to get them before arrival, but this is a great way to make a day of different types of winter activities, Pineland Farms is actually the perfect destination when there’s snow and the need for outdoor fun. You can show up with your own gear and use some of the free spaces or you can get passes for groomed trails and use rented ski gear (local rentals found below). You’ve got options.

The thing that makes visiting Pineland Farms in the winter so fun though is that you can show up in the morning with your skates, skis or sled and spend all day doing different winter activities, and then take a break to warm up or order lunch from the awesome cafe before going back to your snowy activities. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, you can come to Pineland Farms in the winter and have a complete snow-filled experience and get to enjoy what everyone else loves about coming here year round.

Cross Country Skiing at Pineland Farms

I’ll start with cross country skiing at Pineland Farms because it’s our favorite activity here. There are other places in the area that have Nordic ski trails, including nearby Bradbury Mountain State Park, but I really like the Nordic trails at Pineland Farms because they’re manageable in a beautiful setting and a great introduction to cross country skiing if you’re new to it. There are 13 different cross country ski trails varying from easy to advanced skill level. You’ve got trails that go through hilly forest areas or across open fields. You can combine different trails to make really long loops or you can keep it simple by sticking to just one section.

NOTE: be sure to check in at the Market to get your trail pass. The trails are groomed and the area is well maintained, and you’ll find that it’s worth paying for the day or season pass.

The cross country skiing at Pineland Farms is wonderfully organize and there is ample signage to guide you along your chosen route. All Pineland Farms winter trails are intended to be one-way for everyone’s safety. While there is usually very good visibility ahead on most trails, you don’t want to cause a traffic jam or worse out in the woods. I really like how the trails have plenty of downhill spots (not fully like downhill skiing) to get you going and the uphills tend to be much more gradual. Cross country skiing at Pineland Farms is perfect for either newbies or in-shape experienced Nordic skiers.

Snowshoeing at Pineland Farms

Different from the cross country skiing trails, the snowshoeing trails at Pineland Farms tend to be quite a bit longer and more spread out than the ski routes. Snowshoeing in general wears me out more quickly than being on skis, but I really love it. When you come to Pineland Farms in the winter for snowshoeing, you do need to bring your own gear. If you’re a local, you may remember Pineland having gear rentals in previous years but currently none are offered (winter 2026). When you arrive, check in at the Market to get your trail pass. This is private property and it’s well maintained in the winter to ensure both a safe and beautiful snowshoeing experience.

Now, when you’re planning your snowshoeing at Pineland Farms, you’ll want to take note of the trail loops that bring you back to the market area so you can take breaks and warm up. For the snowshoe trails you can leave from two different areas, either the market or up the road to the east a bit at the Oak Hills Trails parking area (past the English garden). I love snowshoeing but I forget until I’m 20 minutes in how tiring it can be. If you’re new to it or haven’t been out in snowshoes in a while, keep in mind your fitness level and how warmly you’re dressed, just in case you wear out quickly.

Is there Ice Skating at Pineland Farms?

Yes! Each winter there is an ice rink available for open skating at Pineland Farms. It’s located near the tennis courts (which you’re not going to be using in the snow) and is pretty good sized. Like with snowshoeing, you do need to bring your own gear for ice skating, but rentals are available not too far away. The ice rink is limited to 25 people on it at any given time, but people and continually popping on and off, so even on a busy day you won’t have to wait too long.

Winter Igloos at Pineland Farms

Something fun and unique at Pineland Farms in the winter are the cafe igloos aka Snowglobes. Near the market they set up clear igloo structures which can be rented for lunch and snack time. You can arrange these in advance by calling or there onsite, but reservations are recommended. I think doing one of the winter igloos is a perfect break between ski loops or other activities. If you’re coming to Pineland Farms just to enjoy the snowy countryside and the market, you can still have a fun afternoon in an igloo too; they’re not exclusively for being who are out on the trails. Snowglobes tend to be wonderfully warm and a great place to chill out and enjoy lunch.

Renting Winter Gear: Skis, Snowshoes, Skates and Innertubes

If you’re a local, you likely have the gear you need to visit Pineland Farms in the winter, with either your cross country skis, skate skis, sleds, ice skates or snowshoes. If you’re visiting you’ll likely need rentals, which aren’t difficult to get as long as you plan for them. If you’re in the Rockland / Camden area the easiest option is Maine Sport, who we love visiting every time we drive by anyways.

In Freeport / Brunswick you’ve got Maine Gear Share to get nearly anything you might need, and they’re actually not too far from Pineland Farms. Hopefully we’ll have more winter gear rental options in the coming years, including rentals at Pineland again.

Being Prepared for Winter Activities

Besides the tools to navigate the snow you’ll also need to dress warmly. True, we’ve been out skiing when it’s 20 degrees and feels like 50, but then we’ve also been out in the snow in -21 and that’s tough to make enjoyable unless you’re well outfitted. If you’re visiting Maine in winter for the first time, be ready for extreme cold, but hoping for just standard cold. It’s pretty normal for December through March to range from 10 degrees F to 45 degrees F, so if you’re traveling to get here, look at the weather the day or two before you leave so you know how intense the cold may be. We are all about the base layer followed by the normal clothing, topped off with the guard against the elements. Snow pants are our norm if we’re outside and you know, it’s Maine, so nobody cares if you’re head to toe in gear and boots and look like a crazy outdoors person. You’ll be glad to be warm instead of being miserably cold.

If you’re snowshoeing or cross country skiing at Pineland Farms, you may want to bring a camera along with you. There are some wonderful birds that stick around during the winter, and there are even rogue moose who make their way to the Freeport area in winter. For skating and sledding, leave your camera someplace safe and warm, but if you have your phone with you for photos, be careful or be sure it’s in a protective case. You don’t want it to be destroyed if you fall on the ice or tumble down the sledding hill.

Getting to Pineland Farms

We love to visit Pineland Farms all year long. It’s very near Freeport, Maine where we often go so it’s an easy addition. Nearby is also the Desert of Maine, which is really cool and fun, and it’s an amazing glamping destination. From Portland, it’s just a half hour north, so it’s an easy day trip if you like. From Rockland / Camden it’s a bit longer with a little over an hour and half of driving. Wherever you’re coming from, Pineland Farms in the winter is a fun little trip and a great way to enjoy the snowy Maine landscape and activities.