NEWRY, Maine — Taking up a new hobby as an adult can be daunting, but when winter rolls around in Maine, learning new outdoor activities will make the long, cold months much more bearable.
Some ski mountains in Maine said some adults are intimidated to take a lesson as they may feel like there's a stereotype that 'Learn to Ski' lessons are designed for children. However, ski instructors can assure those adults that learning is for any age.
"The feeling of something new as an adult, learning something like that is a challenge," Glen Harrop, Sunday River's Director of Skier Services, said. “The 'Learn to Ski' is you’re going to come here and find you the love of skiing and find that happy place."
Harrop said he learned to ski when he was 13 years old, which is an age he considers to be on the older side to learn the sport.
“Everyone progresses at different levels, in different stages," Harrop said. "Some people transition to the second magic carpet, the third carpet, and the chairlift, but it’s all a progression and some people pick it up a little bit quicker than others."
Adult lessons have seen a rebound in popularity since the pandemic when more families were looking to get outdoors, according to Lost Valley's Snowsports Director Tad Bettcher.
"Adult lessons were really big early on in skiing, then it became mostly kid-oriented. But then again, like I said, I think COVID had a lot to do with bringing more adults back out onto the hill," Bettcher said.
Bettcher said there are currently more than 60 adults in Lost Valley's weekly adult lesson program.
Harrop said new skiers should take their time to get comfortable with their equipment and learn the basics in small groups or with one-on-one instruction.
"It's neat that once you've got comfortable and you got a basic understanding, you're good to go," Harrop said.