For nearly twenty years, my partner and I have been enjoying our snowmobile seasons exploring the trails, partly in Maine. So it’s only natural, when our schedule allows, to head to Maine and visit the Snowmobile & Powersports Show held at the Augusta Civic Center. Living near the border, the trip is easy for us, and we take advantage of it to extend the fun by spending part of the weekend in Maine.
When is the Maine Snowmobile & Powersports Show held?
This show usually takes place in mid-October, before the one in Quebec City. Every time we’ve attended, the weather has been ideal. Located further south, the city of Augusta often enjoys mild temperatures at this time of year, which can even reach or exceed 20 degrees.
A well-established tradition
Over the years, this outing has become a real annual tradition for us. It allows us to enjoy the show and reconnect with good friends with whom we have become accustomed to attending this event. Even though the indoor area of the show is smaller than the one in Quebec City, the atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming. Surprisingly, apart from a few company representatives, we have hardly ever met any Quebecers there. What’s more, for us, this event marks the transition from camping season to snowmobiling season.
Discoveries and promotions
Most of the booths offer free promotional items, whether they are snowmobile manufacturers, tourist establishments, insurance companies, or others. You can also buy various products and take advantage of very attractive discounts.
New trail apps
For some time now, we had been hearing about the launch of an app similar to iMotoneige for the trails in Maine. It is now a reality: a basic version is available for free and a more complete version is available at a low annual cost ($4.99 USD). Another new feature is the TRAILINTEL app, which allows snowmobilers to share information about trail conditions with each other. We had the opportunity to speak directly with people who worked on these projects.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s not always easy to find your way around the trails in Maine, even with a GPS, maps, or directions. Starting in the winter of 2025-2026, these apps will make it much easier to get around Maine. Nevertheless, we continue to collect a few paper maps to share with those who want to discover snowmobiling in our southern neighbor.
The vintage section: a must-see!
The room dedicated to antique snowmobiles is not to be missed. Here you will meet true enthusiasts who are always happy to share their knowledge and show off their collectibles. Some of them are true works of art.
It is not uncommon for these collectors to own several snowmobiles: some are original and have never even been ridden, while others have been meticulously restored. We were particularly impressed by a brand-new 1979 Kawasaki Intruder with 0 miles on the odometer. Its owner, an enthusiast from Massachusetts, was there with four snowmobiles.
Noteworthy discoveries
This edition had a wonderful surprise in store for us: the very rare opportunity to admire an antique model dating from 1914, the Aerothrust Aero-Sled. A true masterpiece that bears witness to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the era.
New features on site
Among the improvements made this year, a section of the parking lot was specially designed to accommodate trailers, recreational vehicles, and sheds.
Inside, a new kiosk allowed visitors to discover and purchase regional products, adding a local and gourmet touch to the event.
Supporting the snowmobile community
I took advantage of our visit to purchase the Maine Snowmobile Association (MSA) calendar. Even though paper calendars seem to be a thing of the past, it’s a great way to support the Association while enjoying beautiful photos of snowmobiles and landscapes month after month. For those who would like to get one, it can still be ordered directly online at mainesnowmobileassociation.com.
Humor is always on the agenda!
Since the show is held shortly before Halloween, our American friends take the opportunity to hand out candy and chocolate, and to add a touch of humor to their decor, as can be seen at Prinoth. Several groomers were equipped with a co-pilot.
Although he wasn’t there this year, sometimes you might bump into the famous Sasquatch, a mythical character who adds a touch of originality to the show.
In summary, this experience once again demonstrates the richness and friendliness of the Maine Snowmobile & Powersports Show. I hope these few lines will make you want to experience this adventure in Augusta in the coming years.
JoAnn Winter, columnist
