World’s Tallest Snowman’s Village Celebrates Winter!
January 7, 2010 by Susan
Bethel Maine Celebrates WinterFest. The picture perfect snow dusted town of Bethel Maine (just down mountain from Sunday River Ski Resort) proudly holds the title for the World’s Tallest Snowman (113 feet, 7 inches) AND the Tallest SnowWoman (122 feet, 1 inch). I just loved her curly eyelashes made out of full size skis! While the snow people have melted away in seasons past, the folks of Bethel Maine know how to have fun in the snow and revel in it every day of winter. You’re invited to join their fun from January 23 to 31st, when Bethel celebrates their annual WinterFest.
Exuberant outdoor activities include a snowshoe scavenger hunt and guided tours, an uphill snowmobile climb at Mt. Abram, Old-Timers Nordic Ski Race, snow tubing, a Rail Jam competition (think snowboards), hot air balloon ascents, snow groomer rides and a number of evening full-moon events. Most notable of all this year will be a unique 90 square foot snow maze and a snow sculpture playground which will welcome visitors free of charge. Bethel is considered Maine’s Nordic Ski Capital boasting three cross country ski centers offering miles and miles of scenic groomed tails. And with Sunday River Ski Area, Mount Abram and Black Mountain just “up the road a piece”, downhill skiers will have all the thrills they could wish for.
At the end of an energetic day when it’s time to rest your head and wet your whistle, you’ll find that Bethel has an abundance of delightful country inns, making this town a perfect destination for winter getaways. My absolute favorite is the Sudbury Inn with it’s sensational downstairs watering hole – Suds Pub! 
When the couple seated next to us at the bar confided they had driven 20 miles out of their way just to indulge in the hot appetizer – Lobster Artichoke Dip (and sample a few of the 29 beers on tap), we knew we were in for a memorable evening. OMG it was the most heavenly appetizer bite for bite that I’ve ever had – yummmmy! In fact all of the food we had while staying at the Sudbury Inn was outstanding. An inn/guest house has been welcoming travelers at this location since 1873 and they have the signs down in the Pub to prove it. Today you’ll find a very congenial inn, a rip-roaring pub where you’ll meet locals and schussers alike, great food, and as a bonus – the Ski Bus stops right outside the door all winter long.
For those who would perfer a grand resort inn, we suggest a stay at the elegant and historic Bethel Inn. This sprawling sunny-yellow inn welcomes discerning travelers throughout the year with offerings of top ammenities and activities. Accommodations range from rooms at the inn to new town houses to make the whole family comforatable. You’ll love the on-staff Activities Concierge who will help you fill your days with fun. And when you’re not out playing in the snow, saunter over to the state-of-the-art health center, spa, saunas, hot tub and my favorite… the 92 degree heated outdoor pool. Nothing says winter indulgence like swimming in the midst of a snow fall! Have a look at the Bethel Inn’s website for all they have to offer and a glimpse at their attractive winter packages.
Whether you visit Bethel during the annual WinterFest, during winter or spring break, or on a balmy summer’s day, you’ll always find an enchanting mountain village that’s brimming with humor, pride and activities that take full advantage of their idyllic locaiton.
I was very interested in your Bethel,Maine article. As the oldest continually family owned and operated wood products business in Bethel, I am always amazed what an incredible secret we are! The Shaker furniture we build and have on display in our Route 2 showroom (enroute to Sunday River!,) and have been shipping around the world since 1974, is just part of what we have on display.
How ironic to see a link to an article on Stonewall Kitchen’s Cooking School on the same page as the Bethel story. We invented a simple, yet “perfect” wooden spreader at the beginning of the decade that was designed to clean out any shaped jar, especially the square jars Stonewall used for their overpriced jams and jellies. Long story short they bought many thousands of the handmade spreaders from us before they ripped off our design in the name of profit margins, ruining the original simple and velvet smooth design by having a wood working company only two hours away from us put a little scoop (to no doubt by-pass patent and trademark concerns) at the end. The quality was horrible and the aforementioned overpriced jam and jelly stuck in the scoop and people hated them and of course many people thought we were still making them thus reflecting badly on us…..but alas, their lawyers were determined to suck us dry with discovery motion after discovery motion so we cut our losses but not before going to the business press in the state to tell the story of a small company with a great product getting the short end of the corporate mind set…kinda like the boys at Stonewall when they started out…..
If you’d come by for visit, we probably would’ve told you the history of the spreader, given one to you as a momento and spent some time learning about you. Sorry we missed you, but if you come again, here’s a tip for you, next time you’rein Bethel, stop by Maine Line Products. They’re great people too.
Sincerely, Ross Timberlake
Hi Ross, thanks for leaving a comment on our story about Bethel. Sorry to hear about your drama with Stonewall Kitchens, but we’re glad to know about your showroom on Route 2. My husband (retired carpenter) and I have a vacation house in Denmark and will definitely stop by the next time we’re driving north.
It sounds like your jelly jar scraper is just what we need! We have a small blueberry farm and I’ve been turning our the blueberry jam with abandon lately. Looking forward to stopping by and meeting you in person and purchasing one of your top quality jelly scrapers! You can never meet too many great people in your travels.
-Susan
How tall is the tallest snow man?
The tallest snowman was constructed in 1999 at the height of 113 feet, 7 inches.
In 2008 they constructed the tallest snow-woman at 122 feet, 1 inch.
That’s a lot of snow!!