NENSA was thrilled to once again partner with WinterKids for the 2025 Welcome to Winter celebration, held recently at Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn, ME. This much-loved annual event brings winter to life for families through hands-on, outdoor fun—encouraging kids to stay active, curious, and connected to the outdoors all season long.
Hosted by WinterKids, Welcome to Winter was originally created to introduce new Mainers to winter recreation, and has since grown into a free, community-wide celebration welcoming families from all backgrounds. This year, participants bundled up to explore a wide range of winter activities, including snowshoeing, cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snow sculpting, and more. Between activities, families warmed up with hot chocolate and s’mores, adding to the festive, welcoming atmosphere.
NENSA was proud to host a cross-country skiing station, featuring snowboot-binding skis from our Nordic Rocks program. Thanks to the generous support of Madshus, Lost Nation R&D, the Share Winter Foundation, and the Killington World Cup Foundation, hundreds of young skiers had the opportunity to clip in and experience the joy of gliding on snow—many for the very first time. Despite early-season snow challenges, the energy and excitement at the event was undeniable.
We also loved connecting with L.L.Bean, our longtime partner and sponsor, who ran the snowshoe station just steps away. Their commitment to getting people outdoors perfectly complemented the spirit of the day and reinforced the power of collaboration in expanding access to winter recreation.
WinterKids continues to make a meaningful impact by helping children and families embrace Maine’s long winters with confidence and joy. NENSA is proud to support this important work and looks forward to many more opportunities to share the magic of winter with communities across the region. To learn more about WinterKids and their programs, visit their website HERE.
