Great Caribou Bog ski race postponed due to ice storm

ORONO, Maine — The long-awaited Caribou Bog Ski Race has been postponed for another three weeks following a two-day storm that brought snow and freezing rain into the weekend. 

Dangerous and unpredictable weather conditions have often been to blame for cancellations or postponements of the race in previous years, said Dan Baumet, a member of the Penobscot Valley Ski Club who’s helping to organize this year’s race. 

Julian Wiggins of Orono helps his 3-year-old daughter Hazel, on the Orono trails on Saturday afternoon for the Penobscot Valley Ski Club Family Fun Day. (Nina Mahaleris | The Penobscot Times)

The annual race started in 1984, but challenging trail conditions made it difficult to keep the event going through the years. This year will mark the first  return of the race since 2011 — if the weather cooperates. 

[Caribou Bog Ski Race to return after nearly 10-year break]

Baumet said the group was hoping for snow in the last few days as the original race date got closer, but the overnight storm Friday made it nearly impossible for groomers to get all the trails ready in time for a Saturday morning race. 

Throughout the week, the club was keeping an eye on the impending storm, trying to avoid another postponement or cancellation. But as freezing rain began to drench the Penobscot region on Friday morning, organizers resorted to rescheduling. 

Still, the club invited local families to freely ski on the groomed trails on Saturday afternoon. Visitors could ski at their own leisure then stop in at the warming hut near the trails for hot cocoa and snacks. 

The Great Caribou Bog race is expected to take place on Saturday, Feb. 29.