Getting Lifted with Old Man Winter
Winter Activities & Cannabis Pairings To Help Make the Most Out of Maine’s Longest Season
By: Sean Moriarty
Mainers don’t really do the “winter blues”. That’s not to say that most of us love every aspect of winter. The constant shoveling, the constant driving in blizzard conditions, let alone the cold, can be enough for even the most hardened Downeaster to curse the weather and think about how nice Florida is during that time of year. But then we remember: Florida is, well…Florida. There are reasons we stay in Maine: the people are very warm, the culture and environment are unique, and maybe most importantly, the state is decidedly free of alligators, to name just a few. Winter is something you come to love by living here. As the fall weather fades, most of us hope for snow. The earlier, the better. The colder it is, for instance, the more fish we can slay beneath the ice. The more snow there is, the better the powder conditions are at Sugarloaf. Winter in Maine, for most of us, isn’t something we tolerate but rather embrace.
Of course, the troubles of harsh weather are made somewhat easier with the aid of cannabis. Shoveling your walkway for the umpteenth time becomes a whole lot more tolerable after a few puffs from a joint. Cannabis can be the best way to enhance any activity, indoors but especially outdoors. The key to using cannabis effectively is to find a strain/option that complements the activity. The wrong strain, or wrong ingestion method, can quickly turn an intended boost into an unintended burden. You don’t want a heavy, sedated daze while zipping down a mountain (or climbing up one). Some activities might be better for edibles, some for vaping, etc. The trick is to account for all aspects of functionality and effect. In that spirit, we’ve compiled this list of five activities with our suggestions and pointers on cannabis pairings to help you best enjoy these Maine winters.
ICE FISHING
If everyone knew how much fun ice fishing can be, then everyone would be doing it. It’s easy to see why sitting on a frozen lake waiting for your flag to bend may be as appealing as watching corn grow, but seasoned ice fishermen know that there’s a hidden magic to it. For many, the long voids between setting up your bait trap and waiting for something to bite were often filled with copious amounts of beer drinking. This creates its own set of problems, not the least being that many people don’t drink. So what should these alcohol-free people do?
Ice fishing gives you the luxury of not only time but the privacy of a shelter. Since you’ll need to haul some equipment anyway, it may not be a bad idea to bring the dab rig and rip a pull or two of Face Off x Black Fire diamonds and terp sauce for an intense, full-bodied high that is still free of the snooze effect. If you don’t feel like dabbing, a thermos full of THC-infused coffee (I recommend Fire On The Mountain) will both keep you warm and mellow you into a chill bliss that still leaves you surprisingly alert for when that big trout finally takes the bait.
Where to Find the Fish: Sebago Lake, if you’re looking for trout. More north, check out Moosehead Lake for trout, salmon, bass, and pike.
SKIING/SNOWBOARDING
Most skiers/snowboarders are keenly aware of this already, but cannabis and alpine sports pair incredibly well together. Older skiers/riders/cannabis users may have memories of trying to light chillums or joints while five stories high on the ski lift, with the wind blowing out the lighter and hands trembling from the cold, which often made this a difficult if not impossible task. Thankfully now we have vape products, allowing you more ease of use when trying to get lifted on the ski lift.
Skiing/riding can be particularly hard on the muscles, especially so at the beginning of the season, when you’re stretching areas of the body that have been relatively dormant for months. For this reason, you’re going to want something that enables clarity and endurance, but will provide enough muscle relief to turn those six hours on the mountain into eight. Uplifting live-resin cartridges are the perfect accompaniment to alpine sports: they fit easily in your pocket, work well, and are easy to use on the lift. You don’t even have to take your gloves off. The Sour Krush x Queen of Soul or Clementine x Strawberry Banana live resin cartridges not only taste amazing, they’re perfect for maintaining a loose and relaxed body high while providing a euphoric cerebral buzz that will have you blithely zipping down the trails.
For apres-skiing, a 1:1 THC to CBD tincture will help manage to relieve those bone and muscle aches that can make even the most ardent of skiers hesitant to hit the fresh powder the next day.
Which Slopes to Hit: Maine has no shortage of ski resorts: Sunday River and Sugarloaf alone make up for some of the best skiing and riding in the Northeast, but some of the lesser-known, smaller mountains are hidden gems in their own right. Lost Valley, Mt. Abram, and Black Mountain are all unique mountains and are all worth a day/weekend pass.
SNOWSHOEING
Fan of hiking? Snowshoeing is even cooler. Travel terrain that you can’t traverse on foot. Snowshoeing in Maine is an experience like no other. Whether you’re taking a moonlit snowshoe tour up Noyes Mountain or just journeying out beyond your backyard, you’ll be treated to stunning vistas and beautiful, snow-blanketed scenery that is unlike anywhere else. Those same trails that you walked in the summer months suddenly take on new life when they are awash in snow.
This activity requires a certain amount of stamina and energy so you’re not going to want anything too heavy or sedating, or anything that will zap your focus. Go simple: a THC lollipop for the journey will potentially help keep the muscles loose and provide a nice sense of euphoria to make the workout more tolerable. Breaking up the trek is always good. Take a break and puff on a pre-roll of a well-balanced hybrid like Memberberry and enjoy the view.
Where to Snowshoe:
Norway Snowshoe Festival (Saturday, February 15): Norway, ME
SNOW TUBING/SLEDDING
Whether on an inflatable tube or toboggan, cruising down a snowy hill at fast speeds is an activity that has ageless appeal. Maine has an abundant number of slopes that are ideal for sledding/tubing—some specifically for that purpose and some that you just have to discover on your own. Highbrow 100mg medicated drinks make an excellent complement. It will speed through your system faster than you speed down the hill, providing a heavy, euphoric rush that will stay with you and make those slogs up the hill much more tolerable. Lost Valley offers tube rentals and rope tows on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with nighttime hours available on Friday and Saturday. Mt. Abram in Greenwood is open Wednesdays through Sundays and boasts the longest snow tubing park in the state.
Tubing and Sledding Destinations:
ICE SKATING
If you’ve never skated before or just simply haven’t skated in a while, it’s never too late to start or pick it back up again. And if you’re just learning, be prepared to fall a few times. It’s all part of the process. Medicated gummies (10mg) or—for those with a higher tolerance—Sea Salt Caramels (25mg) are the perfect choice, providing help in working through those sore elbows while delivering a solid, relaxing euphoria that won’t zap your energy. It’s best to remain discrete, since there will most likely be families around. Go light, and stick with the edibles for this one.
If you have skates, you may want to lace them up and head over to the Rink at Thompson’s Point in Portland for outdoor skating right next to the river. Need skates? They’ll rent them to you. Same at Goddard’s Pond in Bath, which is also great for an old-fashioned game of pickup ice hockey.
Skating Spots:
While cannabis hasn’t changed winter activities, it has certainly made them better. Thankfully, legalization and the expansion of the medical cannabis industry have created a booming market teeming with options that will suit any winter outdoor enthusiast.