General Rental Information & Winter Break Hours

Maine Bound will be closed for the majority of winter break (Dec. 21st-Jan 19th). 

We are planning to open on select dates in January for rentals and bouldering. Dates coming soon!!

We offer many items for rent to students, the University community, and the general public. On this page, you can find information about types of equipment, available sizes, and reservation blackout dates. For general questions or to make a reservation, call 207-581-1794.

For large group rentals please contact beth.jackson@maine.edu at least 2 weeks before you are planning to rent the equipment.

Check local trail conditions for the UMaine DeMerrit forest on the UMaine Trail System Updates Facebook Page

Caribou Bog also offers great local skate and classic ski trails for beginning and advanced skiers. 

Winter group photo at the katahdin summit sign on a clear blue day.

Rental Blackout Dates

Our equipment is shared with our trips and clinic instruction program. During blackout dates, walk-in rentals may be available beginning on Fridays for weekend dates that are not available for advanced reservation. Please call or stop by to confirm. 

Advanced Reservations are not available on the following dates:

Cross Country Skis: Saturday & Sunday 2/15-2/16/2025

Winter Equipment Details

Explore outdoors this winter! Maine Bound has a variety of outdoor equipment items for the winter season. There are a few things we do not rent. These include; no downhill skis, helmets or poles; no youth nordic/cross county skis; no ropes, ice tools, or front point ice climbing crampons. 

Read through the below list for information and sizing about the items we do rent!

Winter items available to rent:

  • Classic Cross Country Skis: Salomon Snowscape Skis, sizes 163, 173, 183, 193, with SNS pilot bindings. They will not fit NNN boots. 
  • Classic Cross Country Ski Boots: SNS Pilot Escape, Men’s sizes 4.5-14. SNS Pilot boots will not fit skis with NNN bindings. 
  • Crampons: Grivel & Petzl horizontal points. We do not rent front-point crampons for ice climbing.
  • Mountaineering Ice Axe: Classic mountaineering axes in a variety of sizes. We do not rent ice tools for ice climbing. 
  • Mountaineering Boots: Double plastic boots, brands, and sizing vary. Men’s sizes 4.5-13. Be sure to try them on!
  • Snowshoes: Redfeather, sizes S, M, L. Youth snowshoes are available in limited quantity. Reservation is suggested. 
  • Alpine Snoeshows: Redfeather alpine snowshoes with heel riser bars, one size (Large). Available in limited quantity. Reservation is suggested. 
  • Winter -20/-30 degree Sleeping Bags: Synthetic mummy-style winter sleeping bags. Brands included Kelty, Mountain Hardwear, Wiggy’s. Available in sizes long and regular (Mountain Hardwear). Available in limited quantity. Reservation is suggested. 
  • Sleeping bags: 0 and 20 degree Kelty mummy style. Available in long and regular. 
  • 3 season tents: Kelty 2, 4, and 6 person tents are available to rent
  • Sleeping pads: closed-cell foam pads
  • Backpacks: Kelty 65L and 85L internal frame backpacking packs

See our flyer below for a full list of items.

Please check out our hours to ensure you can pick up and return items when Maine Bound is open.

Large Group Ski Rentals

Are you planning to rent cross country skis or snowshoes for a group of 5 or more? If so, please email beth.jackson@maine.edu in advance of your planned reservation dates.

To ensure the correct size skis and boots will be available for a group rental, you’ll need the height and boot size of each person in your group. Boot sizes must be converted to US Men’s sizes. 

Winter photo with tables detailing camping, skis, snowshoes, and other items available to rent.
Winter mountaineering photo detailing mountaineering rentals and rental policies.

Equipment is rented at the Maine Bound Adventure Center. Call or drop by during open facility hours. All reservations must be
paid in full at the time of reservation. We rent a wide variety of equipment to UMaine students, staff, faculty, and the general public. 

All equipment returned late will incur late charges based on normal daily rates. 

Please note that Maine Bound is only open 4:00-8:00 p.m. on weekends during the academic year and closed on weekends during the summer. Please plan accordingly for rental equipment pick up and drop off.

Please DO NOT abandon rental items outside the building. If you run into unforeseen issues returning your items please contact Maine Bound via phone or email.

Call, email, or stop by with any questions.

We recommend emailing or calling in advance to set up your reservation. This will make the process much quicker when you come in to pick up your rental items.

um.mainebound@maine.edu | 207-581-1794