New two-day winter sports and outdoor lifestyle event will bring together ski areas, outdoor brands, gear, demonstrations, films and family activities to celebrate the start of winter
PORTLAND, Maine — Winter enthusiasts from across Maine and the Northeast will gather in Portland November 7–8 for First Tracks: Northeast Snow Show, a new two-day celebration of skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowmobiling, and the outdoor winter lifestyle at Thompson’s Point.
Hosted by Maine Outdoor Brands and Thompson’s Point, First Tracks is designed to bring the excitement and energy of the upcoming winter season together under one roof. More than 50 vendors and brands will participate, giving winter enthusiasts an opportunity to discover new gear, connect with ski areas and outdoor organizations, try products and start planning their winter adventures.
“First Tracks is about that feeling we all get when winter is just around the corner,” said Jenny Kordick, executive director of Maine Outdoor Brands. “We wanted to create an event where people who love winter can come together, discover what’s new, connect with the outdoor community and get excited about everything the season ahead has to offer.”
The show will take place at Thompson’s Point from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, November 7, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, November 8. On Saturday evening, Maine Outdoor Film Festival will present a special winter film screening at Halo at the Point, adjacent to Brick South. The screening will be a separately ticketed event.
First Tracks will offer much more than a traditional exhibit hall. Attendees will be able to explore products and services from ski areas, outdoor recreation companies, apparel and equipment manufacturers, retailers and community organizations while taking part in a variety of experiences throughout the weekend.
Among the planned highlights are a Demo Zone, sponsored by the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, where attendees can try winter gear and activities; free gear repair from Maine GearShare with show admission; and a Kids Zone, sponsored by L.L.Bean and hosted by WinterKids. Children age 10 and under will be admitted to the show free.
The event will also feature a beer garden sponsored by IKON Pass and a speaker stage sponsored by the Maine Office of Tourism, featuring talks and discussions with voices from the winter sports and outdoor industries, including:
- From Forecast to First Chair: What to Expect This Winter
- Fueling for Winter Adventures
- How to Get a Job in the Snowsports Industry
- Wild Ice 101: Nordic Skating in New England
- How Winter Gets Made: Behind the Scenes at a Ski Area
- Uphill Skiing 101: Earn Your Turns
Winter enthusiasts eager to make their first turns of the season will also have an incentive. The first 300 people entering the show on both Saturday and Sunday will receive a free day pass to Black Mountain of Maine.
A growing list of exhibitors includes ski areas and resorts such as Sugarloaf, Sunday River, Saddleback, Pleasant Mountain, Mt. Abram, Black Mountain of Maine and Lost Valley, along with outdoor brands, retailers, recreation organizations and other businesses representing the Northeast’s winter economy.
First Tracks also has the support of a broad group of organizations and businesses connected to Maine’s outdoor recreation and tourism industries. Blue Square sponsors include L.L.Bean, Outside, Sugarloaf, the Maine Office of Tourism, IKON Pass, the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation, Bissell Brothers, Black Mountain of Maine, Down East and Live + Work in Maine, among others.
Beyond celebrating winter recreation, First Tracks will showcase the businesses, organizations and people that contribute to Maine’s growing outdoor economy and help make the state a year-round destination.
Whether attendees ski, snowboard, skate, explore the backcountry, enjoy winter with their families or simply look forward to the first snowfall, First Tracks is designed to offer something for every kind of winter enthusiast.
FIRST TRACKS: NORTHEAST SNOW SHOW
WHEN: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Sunday, November 8, 2026, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
WHERE: Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine
WHAT: A two-day winter sports and outdoor lifestyle show featuring 50+ vendors and brands, ski areas and resorts, gear and product demonstrations, shopping, a Kids Zone, gear repair, speakers, a beer garden, giveaways and more.
TICKETS: Available at www.firsttrackssnowshow.com. Children age 10 and under are free. $15 for a one-day pass. $25 for a two-day pass. $30 for Maine Outdoor Film Festival at First Tracks event only. $45 all-access pass of both festival days and the film festival.
ABOUT FIRST TRACKS: NORTHEAST SNOW SHOW
First Tracks: Northeast Snow Show is Maine’s kickoff winter sports and outdoor lifestyle expo, bringing together outdoor recreation brands, resorts, retailers, service providers and winter enthusiasts at Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine. Hosted by Maine Outdoor Brands and Thompson’s Point, the event celebrates skiing, snowboarding, skating and Northeast winter culture while connecting consumers directly with the people, products and organizations that make winter happen.
Media Contacts:
Jenny Kordick, Executive Director
Maine Outdoor Brands
Nancy Marshall, CEO
Marshall Communications