Scenes from A New England Winter in Bethel Maine (2024)

Bethel, Maine is a charming New England town I visit each year to meet friends who ski in the area. The quaint mountain village lies between some of the highest mountains in Maine.Winter in Bethel Maine offers ample opportunity for outdoor sports, including alpine skiing and snowboarding, Nordic and cross-country skiing, snowmobile trails, snowshoeing, and more.

Sunday Riverand Mount Abram, both in nearby Newry, Maine, are the primary attractions for my friends, who rent a place at theSunday River Ski Resort; the guys jet right out their condo to the slopes, returning by night to one of the cozy ski lodges within the resort. I do not to ski, but because winter in Bethel Maine is particularly beautiful.

Learn Why The Bethel Inn Makes A Perfect Winter Getaway

For the past five years, my stay in Bethel has predictably coincided with an unpredictable “Nor’easter,” an intense storm from the cold Atlantic that hits the eastern seaboard and often dumps inches–or even feet–of snow. Fresh “powda” is a welcome event for my friends who were skiing, and it’s par for the course for winter in Bethel Maine.

For me, the storms presenta conundrum: drive home before it starts to tend to my home, leave in the middle of the storm making an already long 3+ hour ride to Boston longer, or hunker down and extend my stay until it’s over.

In past years, family duties have regrettably caused me to cut my visit short. This year, with my children away at college, I opted to weather the storm. I indulged in an extra day of lodging at The Bethel Inn Resort and embraced the beauty of the winter wonderland before me. Faced with an unscheduled day, and armed with four-wheel-drive and my camera, I navigated the area to see some of the most beautiful winter scenes in New England.

Discover The Natural Beauty of Maine Winters

Tour the Broad Street Historic District in Downtown Bethel

Around the town common, or Town Green as it’s known, you will find several historic buildings comprising the Broad Street Historic District.

RELATED: Not sure what to pack for your winter trip to New England? We’ve taken the guesswork out with this Packing List for Winter in New England. (It also includes 25 Winter Activities.)

Admire Old New England Charm and Local Scenery

I did a bit of exploring beyond the Bethel area, venturing just over the Maine border into Shelburne, New Hampshire, and stumbled upon this lovely church.

Hunt for Unique Finds and Quirky Characters in Maine

Embrace A Winter Wonderland in Bethel Maine

What a delightful taste of winter in Bethel Maine. It was such a treat to capture scenes from this friendly mountain village while having an adult snow day.

I fondly remember many childhood snowstorms in Boston including the famous “Blizzard of 78.” It seems the responsibilities of homeownership and parenthood have dulled the fun of snow day for me. But not this time.

I enjoyed the storm without worry of losing power, clearing the driveway, or whether we enough milk and bread. I discovered that when carefree and warmly cared for, I could honestly appreciate the full beauty of winter…Just like when I was a kid.

So tell me, given a chance, would you have chosen tostay an extra night, too? I’d love to hear your memories of being snowed-in in the comments below.

Special thanks go to The Bethel Inn in Bethel, Maine for their hospitality.This article is part of a sponsored collaboration between The Bethel Inn and Enjoy Travel Life. As always, all opinions expressed are my own. For more information, please see the followingDisclosure.