Snowmobile Rentals in Maine (Greenville, Rome: credit card, houses, clubhouses) - (ME) - City-Data Forum

peachie_in_maine · 02-11-2010, 09:01 AM

Anywhere's in upper Northern Maine, can you rent sleds for the day? Maybe a lodge where they take you on the trails?

Thank you.

fxtrader · 02-11-2010, 09:15 AM

There are a lot to choose from in Maine, but I believe northern outdoors in the Forks is one of the best. My wife and I stayed there a couple of years back and loved it. We had our own sleds but they have quite a few rentals. The lodge also makes their own micro brew. Maine Snowmobiling Maine Vacation Cabins Snowmobile Rentals - Northern Outdoors

RMoore007 · 02-11-2010, 10:08 AM

I researced this quite a bit. There are several places in Greenville, Rockwood and Jackman. Including the Forks link above by fxtrader.

You can rent a two-up sled for around $220. per day. Or a smaller single for around $175. The fast machines are even a little more than the two-up sleds. Usually comes with a helmet and some gear but you will probably need to rent some stuff. You can combine the sled rental fee with a tour and save. A room, sled rental and tour is even cheaper if you can afford it.

There are short and long overnight tours too. You will need to leave a $1k deposit on your credit card. They will give lessons and a safety course before you set out.

I have been studying this business since I've been in Maine. I live right on the ITS (interconnected trail system) and have a great place to rent cabins, sleds, motorcycles, atv's and canoes. Just the wrong time for me right now but maybe a future business.

I had researched the trails to come to your place by now on my sled but haven't had any snow in weeks. I'm still hoping for some more white stuff so I can make the trip. I just recently got my passport card too for a quick trip to NB. See you soon. I'm getting hungry for some of the best food in the east coast.

island mermaid · 02-11-2010, 12:51 PM

Two words: TRAIL MAPS.

I know all rental places must include them with the sled, please be sure you know how to read them. Bring a compass if you aren't familiar with the deep woods of Maine or are directionally challenged you'll need to have a compass or better yet, a GPS. The ITS's are well marked, and easy to ride. Sometimes the trails into the little towns are a little less easy to find.

Plan your ride, let someone know where you are headed and when you plan on being back.

STOP at all intersections and READ THE SIGNS. Some will be hard to read, stop and make sure you really are going in the direction that you planned.The signs will direct you right into town for gas, restaurants, lodging and supplies. Cell phones are usually not reliable in the middle of the north woods.

Stop and use the local snowmobile clubhouses, feel free to throw a log on the fire and a donation in the jar. This helps the clubs continue to groom the trails throughout the season. Those groomers are expensive to run and those VOLUNTEERS are happy to go out twice a day to make sure your trails are neatly groomed and very comfortable.

Most of all, ENJOY the best and most unseen views of Maine!

RMoore007 · 02-11-2010, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by island mermaid

Two words: TRAIL MAPS.

I know all rental places must include them with the sled, please be sure you know how to read them. Bring a compass if you aren't familiar with the deep woods of Maine or are directionally challenged you'll need to have a compass or better yet, a GPS. The ITS's are well marked, and easy to ride. Sometimes the trails into the little towns are a little less easy to find.

Plan your ride, let someone know where you are headed and when you plan on being back.

STOP at all intersections and READ THE SIGNS. Some will be hard to read, stop and make sure you really are going in the direction that you planned.The signs will direct you right into town for gas, restaurants, lodging and supplies. Cell phones are usually not reliable in the middle of the north woods.

Stop and use the local snowmobile clubhouses, feel free to throw a log on the fire and a donation in the jar. This helps the clubs continue to groom the trails throughout the season. Those groomers are expensive to run and those VOLUNTEERS are happy to go out twice a day to make sure your trails are neatly groomed and very comfortable.

Most of all, ENJOY the best and most unseen views of Maine!

Good stuff there.

Probably could have used some of that advice last year.

I now use a gps, have at least 10 local and state maps on board and take proper food and gear with me. Along with better sense about my place and time in the world.

Last year I set out to find Katadin Iron Works by myself on my new sled on a mid January day. I left kind of late in the morning from Dover, stopped several times for gas and pictures and ended up about 50+ miles on ITS and club trails from here in the afternoon on a shared logging road about 5-10 miles from my destination. I stopped on the side of the road for a quick break when a pickup truck stopped to see if I was ok. I said I was heading north still and he asked me "Are you sure you want to do that? Do you have any safety gear?" I said, "What do I need all that for? I got me a new sled." We talked for a bit then he said in his deep woods, I think you're a crazy city slicker, Mainer voice, "Good luck and be safe. It was nice knowin' ya". I continued on with my break looking for my banana and water. Seems they were a little hard when I finally got a chance to locate them. So I continued north for a little while longer and then decided to make a 180 and head back to Dover. This guy made me think. I figured I had only been in Maine for only two months and he probably lived here forever. So 'when in Rome' came to mind.

You see, it was on a Tuesday. I hadn't passed one sled all day. It was cloudy and only 5 degrees above and dropping fast. It was already about 3:45 and getting darker by the minute. I think the guy had a point.

I did eventually get there and many other local places too as I put 1400 miles on the sled in six weeks. I had planned on more this year but some of the main trails and many club trails are just not that much fun right now. We need snow. It is a 300 million dollar industry in Maine. That is probably an average because this year doesn't look good for the local central Maine businesses, SO FAR. Fingers crossed for groomed trails with the white gold.

maineguy8888 · 02-11-2010, 02:12 PM

There are alot of places that rent sleds here in the County, and they can take you out. Just google it or go to Aroostook County for more info.
(Trails are good right now).

island mermaid · 02-11-2010, 04:11 PM

This IMHO is actually one of the better sites.

Snowmobile Maine

mainebrokerman · 02-11-2010, 05:58 PM

i was in greenville today and i believe a fella said a place called northwoods...rents them

peachie_in_maine · 02-12-2010, 08:58 AM

hummm... thanks.

I finially got some trail maps for our business... and there's no offer of "rentals" and trail guides. Since it's a family time.. I would enjoy being "lead" around.

fxtrader · 02-12-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

i was in greenville today and i believe a fella said a place called northwoods...rents them

Yup! Its right in the center of town next to the gas station. I think most of these places also rent all the needed gear you will need. Like mentioned above make sure you pay attention and read the signs it is really easy to get on a side trail and not realize you aren't on an ITS trail anymore. This especially the rule when on an unfamiliar lake.