The Maine woods in winter are extraordinary — hushed trails, frozen lakes, wildlife tracks in the snow, and the warmth of a Maine Huts & Trails lodge at the end of the day. Guided by Lani Love and Chip Cochrane, Registered Maine Guides with over 30 years of backcountry winter experience.
Winter 2026 Update: Lani has had knee surgery and winter trips are cancelled for 2026. Please look for us in winter 2027! Contact us to be notified when 2027 trips are available.
Cross-country ski and snowshoe through the western mountains of Maine on the Maine Huts & Trails system — one of the finest backcountry trail networks in the Northeast. Lani and Chip have been guiding backcountry ski trips in Maine for over 30 years. They love the outdoors and enjoy sharing their experience and knowledge of the winter landscape with others.
Approaching Flagstaff Hut after a storm.
Flagstaff Hut at dusk.
Trips travel between the Maine Huts & Trails lodges — beautiful, off-the-grid facilities with hot showers, comfortable sleeping quarters, and meals prepared by the hut staff. Your gear travels by snowmobile shuttle between huts, so you carry only a day pack on the trail.
Whether you’re an experienced nordic skier looking for a guided multi-hut expedition, a beginner who wants to learn in a supportive environment, or someone who just wants to explore the Maine woods in a season most people never see — there’s a winter trip for you.
Hot meals are prepared by hut staff, beer and wine are available for purchase.
All trips are based on the Maine Huts & Trails system in the western mountains of Maine. Trips range from 2 to 5 days.
All Levels · 3 Days / 2 Nights · $1,000/person · Poplar to Stratton Brook Huts
Burn off the season’s indulgence and stress with this back-to-nature adventure through the western Maine mountains. Travel between two huts over three days, with optional core exercises and yoga incorporated along the way. Fresh groomed trails, spectacular winter scenery, and the warmth and hospitality of the Maine Huts & Trails lodges. A wonderful introduction to hut-to-hut skiing and a perfect reset.
Beginner to Intermediate · 3 Days / 2 Nights · $1,000/person · Flagstaff Hut
The best way to learn cross-country skiing is proper instruction followed by practice in a beautiful setting. This trip is designed for the beginner to intermediate skier — both nights are spent at Flagstaff Hut, giving you a stable base from which to explore the trail system at a comfortable pace. Lani provides gentle, encouraging coaching while the surrounding countryside does the rest. You’ll leave a more confident skier.
All Levels · 3 Days / 2 Nights · $1,000/person · Poplar to Flagstaff Huts
A ski adventure catered specifically for women — led by Lani Love, Registered Maine Guide with over 30 years of backcountry experience. Travel between two huts over three days in the company of like-minded women who love skiing and being outdoors. Lani creates a supportive, encouraging atmosphere that makes the experience enjoyable for all ability levels.
Intermediate · 4 Days / 3 Nights · $1,400/person · Flagstaff to Poplar to Stratton Brook Huts
Experience three of Maine Huts & Trails’ spectacular lodges over four days, traveling the full sweep of the western Maine trail corridor. The route runs Flagstaff to Poplar to Stratton Brook Huts (or in reverse), with stunning views of Flagstaff Lake and the Bigelow Mountain range along the way. Gear shuttles between huts so you travel light. A perfect multi-day adventure for intermediate skiers ready to take on more terrain.
Intermediate to Advanced · 5 Days / 4 Nights · $1,800/person
The most ambitious winter trip we offer — five days traveling between four huts through the heart of western Maine’s backcountry. This is genuine hut-to-hut expedition skiing, and it’s extraordinary. Note that Grand Falls Hut may not always be available; when it is not, 5-day trips are available with a repeat stay in one of the three open huts. Contact us for current availability and route options.
All pricing based on a 4-person minimum. Price varies for private room vs. bunk room. Group rates available — contact us for details. A $500/person deposit is required to reserve your trip.
“Lani made a great trip even more enjoyable for us all. She quickly assessed that our small tour group had differing ability levels. She encouraged everyone to ski at their own pace and meet periodically at designated spots along the trail — she was a great source of information in-route, identifying animal tracks, sharing history of the area.”
— Mark, 5-Day 4-Hut Guided Ski Tour, February 2018
Maine Huts & Trails lodges are anything but rustic. Here’s what’s waiting at the end of each day.
Each hut is a beautiful, off-the-grid facility heated and fully equipped — a genuine refuge after a day on the trail.
Yes, really. Hot showers, Clivus Multrum toilets, and comfortable sleeping quarters — private rooms or bunk rooms depending on your preference.
Breakfast and dinner prepared by the hut staff using local ingredients. Beer and wine available for purchase. Lively conversation by the fireplace included at no extra charge.
Your bags travel between huts by snowmobile. You ski with only a day pack — everything you need at the next hut is already there when you arrive.
Lani stays with your group the entire trip — navigating, coaching, identifying wildlife and tracks, and making sure every skier/rider gets the most out of the experience regardless of ability level.
“I always wanted to do a ski tour of the Maine Huts and Trails but was unable to get my skiing friends to commit. As a single retired woman, I was not comfortable traveling solo in the winter, so when I learned of the guided trips I immediately signed up. I was not disappointed.”
— Karen Sutton, guided winter trip
Lani Love and Chip Cochrane have been guiding backcountry winter trips in Maine for over 30 years. They know the trail systems, the huts, the wildlife, and the winter landscape intimately — and they bring that knowledge to every trip, turning a ski excursion into something much richer.
Lani is particularly beloved by winter trip guests for her patient, encouraging approach with skiers of all ability levels. Whether you’re a seasoned nordic skier or have never clipped into a binding, she’ll find the right pace and the right terrain to make the experience rewarding.
Winter trips will return in 2027. Contact us to be added to our notification list and we’ll reach out as soon as dates are available.