In Aroostook County, it’s no secret that the Maine Winter Sports Center has devoted a lot of time and energy to getting kids on skis.

What most people don’t know, however, is that the opportunities for adults, both novice and expert, are also plentiful.

“Of all the facets of MWSC, the facet that I do is to help people to enjoy this place that they live in even more,” said MWSC Adult Development Coach Greg Rawlings. “The ideal is being able to bring skiing as a lifestyle to Aroostook County.”

Rawlings directs Masters Programs, where adult skiers can improve their skills, three nights a week in three different locations: Mondays at the Nordic Heritage Center in Presque Isle, Tuesdays at the 10th Mountain Center in Fort Kent, and Wednesdays at the high school ski trails in Caribou.

The name, Masters Program, may imply that the classes are aimed at accomplished skiers, but that’s not so, according to Jim Park of Presque Isle, a regular at the Nordic Heritage Center class who has been skiing for more than 25 years.

“There’s a variety of people that are coming, from beginner right up to someone like myself,” said Park. “It doesn’t matter when you start during the ski season. Greg adjusts the program so that everyone gets what they want to get out of it.”

The classes typically begin indoors with a mini-lecture about a specific skiing technique, such as diagonal stride (classical) or V-1 (skate skiing). Rawlings then takes the class outside, demonstrates the technique, and allows each skier to practice on their own.

“Greg and the other [MWSC] coaches are very open to questions, especially from newcomers,” said Ashland’s Barb Pineau, who has been attending the class in Presque Isle since November. “They take the time to give people individual help. Even the other participants, the more advanced skiers, offer tips when they can.”

There is no charge to attend, but “most of the people do own their own equipment,” according to Rawlings.

“Most of these folks have either been at it for a number of years and want to take their skiing to another level, or have just decided to get into skiing seriously and have gone out and bought their own stuff,” Rawlings said.

In addition to the Masters groups, Rawlings also directs Never-Ever Clinics for adults who simply want to give cross country skiing a try. These classes are tailored to people who have never skied before (hence the name), or who have skied only a few times.

Like the Masters Programs, these clinics are free, but MWSC goes a step further by providing participants with skis, boots, and poles, “so that people can try it without a financial connection,” said Rawlings.

Never-Ever Clinics have already been held in Caribou, New Sweden, and Ashland, and more are scheduled for Westmanland, Limestone, Presque Isle, the Loring Job Corps Center, Benedicta, and again in Caribou.

“We’re trying to do one or two of these things every week,” said Rawlings. “It’s what we’re here for.”

Mark A. Shea can be reached via email at shea@cariboumaine.org.