A true local's hill, where everyone knows everyone else, Shawnee Peak abounds in character and history. In fact, the 2012-13 season marked the resort's 75th consecutive winter in operation. And as Maine's longest-running ski resort, Shawnee lays claim to many of Maine's ski-industry "firsts." But the present-day allure has more to do with what it doesn't have: It doesn't have big hotels or overpriced condos, high-priced restaurants, or glitzy shops. In other words, it doesn't have the feel of a resort; this ski area is all about community. Many of the skiers live in surrounding towns or drive from Portland, just an hour away. The town of Bridgton, where Shawnee is located, bursts with Maine flavor. With cozy bed-and-breakfasts like the Noble House, and its frozen lakes, the town hosts the Musher's Bowl and Bridgton Winter Carnival every winter. Dogsled rides, broomball competitions (basically hockey without skates, but still on ice), and a biathlon are some of the carnival favorites that draw crowds from around Maine and elsewhere.

Much of Shawnee's on-hill appeal has to do with its calendar of events, which brings a fun and competitive spirit to the mountain. For example, each week, Monday Night Madness gives you five hours of night skiing for $13. This event resonates especially well among kids who gather at the terrain park to practice their jibbing.

While Shawnee may not have as much terrain as some of the bigger destinations, it still has something for everyone (40 trails, 19 open for night skiing). The backside of the hill is home to some narrow, ungroomed trails, like the twisting Upper Appalachian and Cody's Caper, a gnarly treed run with a

A true local's hill, where everyone knows everyone else, Shawnee Peak abounds in character and history. In fact, the 2012-13 season marked the resort's 75th consecutive winter in operation. And as Maine's longest-running ski resort, Shawnee lays claim to many of Maine's ski-industry "firsts." But the present-day allure has more to do with what it doesn't have: It doesn't have big hotels or overpriced condos, high-priced restaurants, or glitzy shops. In other words, it doesn't have the feel of a resort; this ski area is all about community. Many of the skiers live in surrounding towns or drive from Portland, just an hour away. The town of Bridgton, where Shawnee is located, bursts with Maine flavor. With cozy bed-and-breakfasts like the Noble House, and its frozen lakes, the town hosts the Musher's Bowl and Bridgton Winter Carnival every winter. Dogsled rides, broomball competitions (basically hockey without skates, but still on ice), and a biathlon are some of the carnival favorites that draw crowds from around Maine and elsewhere.

Much of Shawnee's on-hill appeal has to do with its calendar of events, which brings a fun and competitive spirit to the mountain. For example, each week, Monday Night Madness gives you five hours of night skiing for $13. This event resonates especially well among kids who gather at the terrain park to practice their jibbing.

While Shawnee may not have as much terrain as some of the bigger destinations, it still has something for everyone (40 trails, 19 open for night skiing). The backside of the hill is home to some narrow, ungroomed trails, like the twisting Upper Appalachian and Cody's Caper, a gnarly treed run with a series of steep pitches. The front side has fast, wide cruisers like Pine Slope and The Main. You'll also find glades for all ability levels and two terrain parks, including the Grommet Garden for beginners.

With its list of charitable contributions and environmental initiatives, you can feel good about skiing at Shawnee for reasons that extend beyond the slopes. The resort offers discounted skiing to military members and their families and gives a chunk of its annual revenue to nonprofit organizations. Plus, Shawnee was the first privately owned resort to offset 100 percent of its carbon emissions through the purchase of carbon credits.