“It’s curious that biathlon has never flourished in the U.S. when the country is so obsessed with firearms...One explanation has been limited facilities, but that’s changing...The newest and most intriguing is the Maine Winter Sports Center in rural Aroostook County, adjoining Quebec. Skiing is actually spread over several locations, with major developments slated for Fort Kent and Presque Isle...

The project is the brainchild of U.S. Biathlon Association Program Director Max Cobb, Olympic biathlete and coach John Morton (who laid out many of the trails), and Andy Shepard (who’s on the USBA board of directors).

The M.W.S.C. was founded in 1999 with three aims. It wanted to re-establish cross-country skiing as a lifestyle... It aimed to increase skiing opportunities for local youngsters. And it wanted to use skiing as a way to increase the region’s economic viability.