Discover Winter Bliss: Cross-Country Skiing at Five Fields Farm

Where a hillside orchard becomes a winter paradise.

There’s something grounding about returning to the same fields generation after generation — watching them shift with the seasons, seeing apples in the fall and ski tracks in the snow.

In a season when it’s easy to default to indoor plans, structured lessons, or staying home altogether, having a simple place to move your body outside matters more than we sometimes realize. Not every winter outing needs to involve lift tickets or long drives north. Sometimes what families need most is fresh air, a pair of skis, and room to figure it out together.

Cross-country skiing has always carried that quiet, steady rhythm — the kind that invites conversation on the flats and a little bravery on the downhills. It’s not flashy. It’s not loud. It’s just movement through open fields and wooded edges, the way winter recreation has been done here for generations.

That’s exactly what you’ll find at Five Fields Farm in Bridgton — a historic orchard that transforms into a welcoming Nordic ski destination each winter, offering families a classic Maine experience that feels both peaceful and enduring.

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What to Expect

Five Fields Farm offers groomed cross-country ski trails throughout the winter season, winding through orchards, open fields, and wooded sections of their hillside property. Trails are clearly marked by number and difficulty, with loop options that make it easy to choose something that fits your family’s experience level.

A red wooden farm store with a sign reading 'APPLES' on the roof, partially covered by snow, with blue tarps and crates in front.

Trail passes are purchased on site, and the farm has a cozy rental hut where you can get fitted for classic cross-country skis and boots in both youth and adult sizes. Snowshoe rentals are also available. If you’re visiting with kids, this makes it simple to arrive without gear and still enjoy a full morning outside.

WinterKids Ambassador Tip: Start with a shorter, flatter loop for first-timers. Confidence builds quickly when kids feel successful right away.

Amenities & Comfort

While Five Fields Farm is very much an outdoor winter experience, there are simple, thoughtful touches that make your visit feel manageable — even with kids in tow.

A small indoor space for rentals and payments provides shelter from the wind while you lace up boots and adjust gear — helpful on especially cold mornings.
There are restroom facilities available on site, so you don’t have to cut your outing short for a bathroom break.
Parking is close to the trailhead, which makes unloading gear (and reloading tired kids) much easier at the end of your ski.

This isn’t a flashy ski resort experience — it’s a classic Maine farm setting. Come dressed in proper winter layers, bring a thermos if you like, and plan for a simple, refreshing morning outside.

A winter landscape showing bare trees and a snow-covered ground, with distant hills and a cloudy sky in the background.

Tickets & Costs

A winter landscape featuring bare apple trees on both sides of a snow-covered path, with a cloudy sky in the background.

Trail passes are purchased on site and give you access to the full groomed cross-country ski trail network for the day. Trail access is $20 per person and rental packages are $18. Ski rentals come in junior sizes as well, making it easy to outfit kids who are trying cross-country skiing for the first time.

If you have a WinterKids Passport children ages 6–17 receive free junior trail access and ski rentals with a paying adult, which makes this an affordable way to introduce kids to Nordic skiing.

About Our Visit

We hit the trails on an early Sunday morning. The day before, warm weather had thawed the snow, only for it to freeze overnight — which made the trails quite slick. It was my first time back on cross-country skis since childhood, and our youngest was trying it for the very first time.

A person skiing on a snowy trail surrounded by bare trees, with a 'STOP' sign visible on the left.

We chose the Graveyard Loop (Trail #4 on the 2026 trail map) — a fun circuit that takes you past rolling fields and gentle sections. On this particular day, the downhill parts were extra slippery and a bit challenging for us, so we took it slow and stuck mostly to the flattest parts. Despite the tricky snow, the setting was beautiful and peaceful, and we had fun just getting out and trying something new.

Tips for Families

Before you go:

Dress in layers — cross-country skiing warms you up quickly, especially on uphill sections. Start slightly cool and avoid heavy cotton layers that hold moisture.
Bring a helmet for young skiers if you have one. While not required, it can offer peace of mind on slick or downhill sections.
Choose your loop wisely. If it’s your first visit or your child’s first time on skis, start with a shorter, flatter trail before committing to longer or hillier routes.
Check Five Fields Farm’s social media for current trail conditions and grooming updates — freeze/thaw cycles can significantly change how fast or slick the trails feel.
Pack a thermos and extra mittens for the car ride home. A warm drink and dry hands make the whole experience end on a high note.

Looking for More Simple, Outdoor Family Adventures Near Sebago Lake?

Lake Region Kids Calendar is updated weekly with local events, seasonal outings, outdoor guides, and trusted places families return to year after year — so you can spend less time scrolling and more time actually getting outside.

From snowy ski mornings and sledding hills to library storytimes and easy weekend outings, you’ll find steady, realistic ideas that fit around school schedules, changing weather, and full family calendars.

If you’re trying to build a winter that feels active, connected, and memorable — without overcomplicating it — you’ll find everything in one place.

View our full calendar for a complete list of events happening this week near Sebago Lake.

Looking for a particular community focused business or service near Sebago Lake? Explore the listings in our Local Directory.

If you want weekly ideas like this delivered straight to your inbox — along with local events, outdoor spots, and family-friendly finds — be sure to subscribe to the Lake Region Kids email newsletter so you never miss what’s happening nearby.

Disclosure:
As a WinterKids Ambassador, I was gifted a WinterKids Passport. For this visit, I used one junior trail access and rental through the passport and paid for trial cess and rentals for one adult. All thoughts and experiences shared here reflect our family’s honest visit and what families can expect when planning a trip to the trails