MAINE PUBLIC • January 21, 2025
After 30 years offering cross-country skiing on its network of trails, Smiling Hill Farm made the tough decision this winter to permanently end the skiing program. The farm has been in Michael Knight's family for over 300 years. He used to groom the trails with his father. But despite his love for the sport, Knight says it's just not viable anymore. Last winter, the farm saw just one good day of skiing. Between grooming, hiring employees, and maintaining rental equipment, cross-country skiing hasn't brought in a profit for the farm in over five years. Ski trails all across Southern Maine have been bare this winter due to lack of snow. Even this past weekend's snowstorm wasn't enough to open cross-country ski trails at Pineland Farms in New Glouster.