Things to Do in Nackawic in March | A Local's Guide
March in Nackawic is two seasons arguing with each other. The first half is still winter, and often the best of it: deep snowpack, long sunny days on the ski hill, groomed snowmobile trails and sap running in the sugar bush. The second half starts to give way, with soft afternoons, dripping eaves and the first bare patches on south-facing slopes. Locals love March for exactly that reason. You can ski in the morning and sit in the sun with a maple treat in the afternoon. Here's how we'd spend it.
Maple Season
If March has a headline around here, it's maple. Sugar season runs on freezing nights and mild days, which is March in a nutshell, and the sugar bushes in the hills around the valley are boiling. Dumfries Maples on Route 102 is the local producer, and it's the stop to make: fresh syrup, maple butter, taffy on snow when they're doing it, and the smell of the evaporator going, which is worth the drive on its own. Call ahead to check what's happening the week you visit, because sap runs on its own schedule. A jug of this year's syrup is the right souvenir from a March trip.
Spring Skiing at Crabbe
Ask a regular at Crabbe Mountain which month they'd pick and plenty will say March. The base is as deep as it gets, the days are long and often sunny, the snow softens up by midday, and the cold snaps of January are behind you. It's the best month for families and first-timers, with warmer lessons and friendlier conditions. Crabbe is about half an hour from Nackawic, and the Thirsty Boot Lounge at the base is where a spring ski day ends. If you're making a weekend of it, our Crabbe Mountain ski weekend guide covers where to stay, eat and explore. Check the snow report late in the month; a warm spell can shorten the season.
March Break
New Brunswick's March Break falls in the first full week of March most years, and it's the busiest winter week of the year around here. Crabbe is packed, the Crabbe Mountain Inn and the cottages fill up, and there's usually extra family programming at the hill and in the community. If you're coming that week, book early and expect company. The weeks either side are quieter with the same snow.
The Last of the Sledding Season
Early March is often the best snowmobiling of the year: a deep, settled base, groomed trails and daylight that lasts past supper. The trail network around Nackawic connects into the wider provincial system, and conditions tend to hold until the thaw sets in during the back half of the month. Check the New Brunswick Federation of Snowmobile Clubs trail reports, make sure your permit is current, and watch for soft spots and open water as the month goes on. Our snowmobiling guide has the details on trail access and permits.
Ice Fishing, Carefully
Ice fishing on the headpond is a winter tradition here, and early March can still be good. By the second half of the month, though, the ice is deteriorating fast, especially near shore, around inflows and anywhere the current moves under the surface. Don't go by the calendar or by other people's tracks; go by current, local ice reports, and when in doubt, don't. Our ice fishing guide covers the regulations and the safety side in detail.
The Big Axe Between Seasons
The World's Largest Axe in March has a particular look: snow still on the ground, the headpond white or grey depending on the week, and the kind of hard, bright sunshine that only comes at the end of winter. It's a quick stop and a quiet one. Paths may be icy in the morning and slushy by afternoon, so wear boots. The waterfront building and washrooms are closed for the season.
The Loop in Late Winter
The Loop Scenic Drive, 75 minutes along both shores of the Saint John River with more than a dozen lookouts, is good in March on a clear day: the hills still white, the river starting to open in places, and the long shadows of late afternoon across the snow. Roads are generally fine on the main sections, but watch for frost heaves and soft shoulders on the back roads as the month goes on, and start by early afternoon to keep the light.
Trails and Snowshoes While They Last
Early March is still good snowshoeing on the easy trails at Big Pokiok Nature Park and Millville's Friendship Trail, and the longer days make a midday outing easy. By late March the trails are a mix of ice, slush and mud, and it's better to stay off them until they firm up in May. Boots with grip or cleats are essential either way.
Warming Up in Town
Big Axe Brewery on Otis Drive is the natural end to a March day, whether you've come off the hill or the trail, and St. Patrick's Day is worth checking their calendar for. The Waterfront Pub on Route 105 is the spot for a proper meal. Robin's Donuts covers the morning coffee. The summer spots aren't open yet, and hours are still on the winter schedule, so a quick call ahead helps.
What's Happening in March
March Break and maple season are the anchors, with St. Patrick's Day in the middle and the first spring suppers and fundraisers toward the end of the month. Check the Destination Nackawic events page for this year's dates before you plan your weekend.
A March Day Trip
Coffee at Robin's on the way in. If the hill's open, a morning at Crabbe while the snow is firm. Lunch at the Thirsty Boot or back in town at the Waterfront Pub. Stop at Dumfries Maples for this year's syrup on the way through. Swing past the Big Axe for the photo in the late-winter light. Finish at the brewery. If skiing isn't your thing, swap the morning for a snowshoe at Big Pokiok or a drive around the Loop.
Making a Weekend of It
March is a strong weekend month if you time it for the snow. A ski day at Crabbe, a day for maple and the Loop, and a cottage or the Crabbe Mountain Inn in between. Book well ahead for March Break; the weeks around it are easier. The Places to Stay page on this site will get you started.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is March a good time to visit Nackawic?
Yes, particularly the first half of the month. Spring skiing, maple season, the last good snowmobiling and long sunny days make it one of the better winter months. The second half is a transition, with softer conditions and the first mud.
When is maple season?
March into early April, depending on the weather. Sap runs on freezing nights and mild days. Call Dumfries Maples to see what's happening the week you plan to visit.
Is Crabbe Mountain still open in March?
Usually, and March is often the best skiing of the year. Check the snow report late in the month, since a warm stretch can bring the season to an early close.
Can you still ice fish or snowmobile in March?
Early in the month, often yes. By late March, ice conditions deteriorate and trails soften. Rely on current trail and ice reports, not the calendar.
What should I wear in March?
Layers you can shed, because a March day can start at minus fifteen and end above freezing. Waterproof boots with grip, sunglasses and sunscreen for the glare off the snow, and a warm jacket for the mornings.
Why March Rewards the Flexible
March doesn't commit to a season, and the people who enjoy it most don't either. Ski in the morning, maple in the afternoon, a pint while the sun sets later than it has in months. Come with boots, sunglasses and a loose plan, and you'll get the best of winter and the first promise of spring in the same weekend.
