Maine Lodge-to-Lodge Cross-Country Skiing Trip

Activity Description
You will be skiing a total of just under 22 miles over the course of the three days. The breakdown of mileage and approximate time on the trail (including breaks) for each day is listed below:

• Day 1: 7.0 miles/4 hours skiing
• Day 2: 6.5 miles/4 hours skiing
• Day 3: 8.3 miles/5 hours skiing

The terrain is variable with the need to ascend and descend hills. The trails are groomed, though not all have tracks set. The skiing is appropriate for someone with intermediate cross-country skiing experience and in good health, with an average level of fitness.

Prerequisites

• Previous cross-country skiing experience required
• Ability to ascend hills by either sidestepping or herringbone technique
• Ability to descend hills by using a wedge or snowplow technique

Below you’ll find more information about this trip and what you’ll need to know in order to prepare for your adventure.

Destination/Travel Time
The trip kicks off in Freeport, Maine at our Paddling Center. Once you’ve met with your guides and fellow travelers, you will travel together to Greenville which is approximately a 4 to 4-½ hour drive from the Paddling Center (including stretch breaks and a stop for lunch).

Accommodations
The lodging will be at two of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s backcountry lodges. The first night will be at the Little Lyford Lodge and Cabins, and the second night at the Gorman Chairback Lodge and Cabins. Both locations have a main lodge with a dining area, communal gathering spaces, as well as the central bathroom facilities which include composing toilets, hot showers, sinks and an available wood-heated sauna. Each location also has private cabins which can sleep one to five people. Only people who are traveling together will be assigned to the same cabin.

Each cabin has a woodstove and gas lamps. There is no running water in the cabins.

Connectivity
This is an unplugged adventure. After leaving the Paddling Center, there is no WiFi and limited to no cell phone coverage.

Clothing Considerations
Dressing in layers is the key to staying comfortable in the outdoors. Multiple layers allow flexibility to respond to your activity level and changing weather conditions.

Please avoid bringing all-cotton clothing. When wet, cotton rapidly robs the heat from your body and takes a long time to dry. Synthetic fabrics are best because they don’t absorb water, and they also dry quickly.

For an outer layer, we recommend waterproof/breathable outer shell. This gear will protect you from the wind and rain and help keep you dry.

Luggage
Each guest should plan on having two bags with them for the duration of the trip. One bag should be a day pack to be carried while skiing. This can be used to carry a water bottle, extra layer, hat, camera, sunglasses, etc. The second bag will be provided to you by L.L.Bean upon your arrival to the kick-off of the trip. The provided bag will be a large dry bag (dimensions approx. 30” x 15” x 15”). This bag will be for your personal gear (plus the L.L.Bean provided sleeping bag) that you want to have shuttled to and from the trailhead and between the lodges. There will be time to pack your items into this bag after you arrive for the start of the trip.

• Day pack
• Waterproof jacket (with hood) and waterproof pants
• Fleece jacket or wool sweater
• Long underwear tops and bottoms (synthetic or wool)
• Warm hat and gloves (preferably waterproof)
• Insulated winter boots to wear at the end of the day
• Synthetic or wool socks
• Underwear
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• One-quart water bottle or hydration system
• Personal prescriptions such as EpiPen or inhaler
• Personal toiletries (travel size)
• Compressible pack towel
• Pillowcase
• Sunscreen

*Synthetic clothing dries quickly and is the best choice for outdoor pursuits. Please do not wear cotton clothing. When wet, cotton rapidly robs the heat from your body and takes a long time to dry. We also recommend you dress in multiple layers, allowing you more flexibility to comfortably respond to the weather conditions and your level of exertion.

• Camera and accessories
• Binoculars
• Sleeping bag
• Bathing suit (for wood-fired sauna)
• Cross-country skiing gear†

†Please call ahead if you plan to use your own equipment as it must pass inspection by L.L.Bean staff before use. If it's deemed unsuitable, we will provide you with the necessary equipment.

• Use of all necessary cross-country skiing gear: skis, boots, poles and gaiters
• All meals and snacks
• Headlamp
• Sleeping bag and bag liner
• Pillow
• Dry bags for packing
• First aid kit

odprograms@llbean.com | 1-888-615-9979 | HOURS: 7 days a week, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET

Smoking and Tobacco Policy

L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs activities are tobacco- and smoke-free (including electronic smoking devices) in support of a healthy lifestyle and respect for our participants and guests. We thank you for understanding and respecting this policy.

Alcohol Policy

In general, alcohol consumption is not permitted during L.L.Bean Outdoor Discovery Programs events for the safety of all participants. However, alcoholic beverages are allowed on overnight trips and may only be consumed in a responsible way after the day’s activities are finished. If participants consume alcohol to excess in the evening and behave in ways that negatively impact their own safety, that of the group or the natural environment around them, our guides will intervene. We hope that we will never have to remove an offending guest from the remainder of a trip to ensure the group’s safety, but we will do so if necessary.

• A parent or guardian must participate with anyone 17 years old and younger.
• Participants must be 12 years old by the start of the trip, course, or tour

All rates are based on double occupancy.

If you are traveling solo and would like to ensure a private room, an additional $300.00 Solo Traveler Private Room fee applies. This fee can be added by selecting the Solo Traveler Private Room add-on when making your reservation. If the add‑on is not selected at checkout, the fee will be added when your reservation is confirmed and will be due with your final payment.

To reduce the cost of single occupancy, we are happy to attempt to pair solo travelers of the same gender to share a room. If you select this add-on during booking, a $150.00 Solo Traveler Roommate fee will be applied. If the add‑on is not selected, the fee will be added when your reservation is confirmed and will be due with your final payment.

If we are able to pair you with another solo traveler, the $150.00 Solo Traveler Roommate fee will be fully refunded. If we are unable to find a match, you will still be provided a private room, and the initial $150.00 fee will remain as your single‑occupancy charge.

If you have any questions about either of the solo traveler fees, please contact us at 888‑615‑9979.

As part of completing your registration for this trip, we invite you to take a moment to review the Essential Eligibility Criteria. These criteria are designed to help you and the members of your party feel confident and well-prepared for the experiences included in this program. They describe the minimum abilities and self-management expectations required to participate safely. Guides are present to lead the group and respond to emergencies, but they cannot eliminate inherent risks. Participants are responsible for self-assessing their abilities, recognizing their personal limitations, and communicating their concerns early on.

If you find that you can comfortably agree with all the statements listed, please indicate your acceptance to continue the registration process. As part of each trip, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid taking unnecessary risks. Should you have any questions or want to talk through any of the criteria, we’re here to help—please don’t hesitate to reach out for additional information or support.

For additional information to support your trip planning, please take a moment to review the “Additional Trip Details” section on our website. This section can be found on the webpage for each of our overnight trips.

Environmental Conditions

• Able to manage personal safety and care in an outdoor environment, which may include wind, rain, variable temperatures, insects, uneven or rocky terrain, wet or slippery surfaces, and natural objects

Emergency Preparedness

• Acknowledge potential delays to definitive care in outdoor settings

Health & Endurance

• Sustain aerobic effort during activities across consecutive days
• Manage hydration/nutrition
• Manage temperature with appropriate clothing layers
• Monitor personal physical condition, recognize early signs of fatigue, illness or distress and communicate with guide

Group Participation Expectations

• Stay with group during activities and avoid situations that present hazards when alone
• Participate in the shared responsibility of safety throughout the program
• Follow directions provided by L.L.Bean guides

Physical Requirements

• Previous cross-country skiing experience
• Ability to ascend hills by either sidestepping or herringbone technique
• Ability to descend hills by using a wedge or snowplow technique
• Cross-country ski for up to 5 hours per day (including breaks) on groomed trails that might present a variety of conditions (ice, ungroomed sections, soft snow, etc.)
• Carry a daypack with layers, snacks, and water

Amenities

• Sleep in cabin without electricity; heated by a woodstove
• Utilize a shared central restroom (with hot showers, sinks, and composting toilets) a short distance from the cabins
• Expect no connectivity due to no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage
• Make do without access to power sources (i.e. electrical outlets, etc.
  

I have reviewed the Essential Eligibility Criteria and believe that I, along with the other members of my party, meet these requirements.

This cancellation policy applies to all trips with lodging.

• Over 60 days prior to departure: All but $200
• 60-30 days prior to departure: 50% of total trip fees
• Less than 30 days or failure to show:  No refund

L.L.Bean does not usually cancel events due to inclement weather. However, we reserve the right to cancel an event at any time due to severe weather, low enrollment or other concerns. If L.L.Bean cancels your event, you will receive a full refund for the cost of your reservation. All refunds will be in the form of the original transaction. L.L.Bean shall not be responsible or liable for other expenses incurred by the participant as a result of such a cancellation.