Added by Hike Bike Travelon November 3, 2014
Saved under Winter
Tags: cross-country skiing, nordic skiing

In some cities like Ottawa, Quebec City and Calgary it has been estimated that up to 5% of the population puts on a pair of Nordic skis at least once a year. That may seem like a lot but it’s nothing compared to the Norwegians. Sophie Redisch, a Norwegian blogger at Sophie’s Worldtells me that she doesn’t know of one person in Norway who doesn’t own a pair of skis . She goes on to say that the ability to put on skis right outside the front door can be an important criterion when buying a house. It’s a rare Canadian that can throw on a pair of cross country skis and head out their front door.

But there are loads of places across Canada that offer cross-country skiing on as much as 200 kilometers of trail.

Here are the top 19 places in Canada for Cross-country Skiing.

British Columbia

andare a winning duo. Between the two resorts are 105 kilometers of interconnected trails. Renowned for their early season snow, this is the place to ski if you want to be seen with Olympic athletes. Carefully groomed trails are used by the Canadian and American National Cross Country teams as well as the Biathalon teams for early season training.

near Whistler was the site of the Nordic events in the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. It’s in a snow belt and claims to have some of the deepest snow anywhere in Canada.  Look for over 90 kilometers of trails – with lots of easy and moderate trails making loops in the vicinity of the day lodge. Another option is to ski to Callaghan Country Lodge– and on weekends enjoy a lunch – if you can’t stay for the night. Bring your pet too. There are several kilometers of pet friendly trails but you must purchase a pet pass first.

Nordic skiing at Callaghan Country near Whistler

The 100 – 108 Mile Ski Trail Network located near the town of 100 Mile House in BC’s Chilcotin region features 100 kilometers of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing. Nearby is another 50 kilometers of trails. Pat Corbett, owner of Hills Health Ranch, one of the two resorts within the ski network, tells me that he purposefully built here because of the great landscape and reliable snow . Trails are equally divided between easy, moderate and difficult. He says you can expect a lot of variety in your ski experience – with a rolling landscape of forests, lakes and grasslands.

on Vancouver Island offers 55 kilometers of machine-groomed Nordic ski trails. Sitting adjacent to Strathcona Provincial Park, the trails offer mountain and parkland views. In really good snow years, snowfall amounts reach epic proportions. The resort offers night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays.

Theis a 6 metre wide path of ice around the circumference of Windemere Lake. It started off several years ago as a 15 kilometre loop but has grown to include the whole lake and is now officially 29.8 km (18.5 mi) long and a Guinness World Record holder. Snow cleared from the ice is piled up on one side to allow for cross-country skiing . So not only can you skate but you can ski for 29.8 kilometers.

Cross-country skiing and skating on the Whiteway

Alberta

in Kananaskis Country is home to 85 kilometers of trails with the majority falling in the easy and moderately difficult category. It’s a popular area for people from Calgary because it’s relatively close – especially the north set of trails. Open from November until April, you’ll find loads of snow and plenty of spectacular mountain views. It’s free but you must bring your own equipment.

Cross-country skiing in Peter Lougheed Park

Theis another one of Canada’s Olympic legacies – developed for the 1988 Winter Olympics. Located just minutes from downtown Canmore and less than 15 minutes from Banff National Park, it’s the place to go if you want a great workout. The 60 kilometers of terrain, geared for advanced and intermediate level skiers, is groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Night skiing is also possible on a 6.5 kilometer trail. Don’t be surprised if that person smoking you on the hill is a septuagenarian.

Skiing at the Canmore Nordic Center

Saskatchewan

has maintained the cross-country ski trails for over 30 years in Prince Albert’s Little Red River Park and Nesbit Forest. When I was in the area this past summer, a number of locals spoke of their love of the skiing here and the variety in the trails. And according to their website, the club maintains one of the best and most extensive urban single – track ski trail networks in North America. Prince Albert is located a few hours north of Saskatoon.

north of the town of Prince Albert in northern Saskatchewan offers approximately 150 kilometers of trails with plenty that are graded easy to moderate. Most are found near the town of Waskesiu Lake. Six warming huts are available but because the trails are so remote it pays to carry the 10 essentials and lots of extra food and hot drinks.Buy a park pass to access the trails.

Eb’s Trails , located an hour from Saskatoon in Nesbit Provincial Forest, offers 55 kilometers of groomed, classic ski trails. Cliff Speer of Canoe Skitells me the trails traverse rolling forested terrain ranging from deep dark spruce woods to open ridges of jack pine and aspen bluffs and says there is plenty of inspiring scenery to soothe the urban weary soul. There’s a cross-section of trails to cater to all abilities.

Manitoba

Whiteshell Provincial Park delivers some of the best cross country skiing in Manitoba. Seventy kilometers of groomed trails are offered throughout the park in eight different locations. The Elf Hole – Goose Sanctuary and Pine Point Rapids Trail are two of the most scenic trails. Bring your own equipment or rent from MEC in Winnipeg, 2 hours away to the west. Go fully prepared for any emergency as you may be the only ones on the trail.

Skiing to Pine Point Rapids in Whiteshell Provincial Park

Ontario

in Ontario is lucky to have three trail networks. Four loops ranging up to 13 kilometers in length make up the Fen Lake section. The Leaf Lake Trail system offers trails ranging from in length from one to 30 kilometers through some of the prettiest parts of the park. For the full backcountry experience check out the Minnesing Wilderness Ski Trail.

Amazing snow and skiing in Algonquin Provincial Park

The, near Sault Ste. Marie provides 135 kilometers of superb cross-country skiing on a mix of groomed and back-country trails. Snow is consistently excellent because of lake effect snow, the terrain is varied and you can expect to ski more vertical here than at any downhill ski resort in Ontario. (For some that may not be such a great thing.) Enjoy stunning views of Lake Superior and keep your eyes open for wildlife. You can book a room at the lodge but you can also visit as a day skier.

Quebec

Thecross-country center is the largest in Canada. The area boasts 208 kilometers of classic trails, 125 kilometers of which can be skate skied. The area receives 400 centimeters of snow a year and enjoys a long season lasting from late November through until early April. It’s located just seven kilometers from the downhill area so you can expect the same wonderful Laurentian forest scenery – and plenty of ups and downs. Keep your eyes open for moose too.

Cross-country skiing at Mont Ste-Anne

Gatineau Park , just outside of Ottawa, presents an outstanding array of Nordic trails – 185 kilometers in total of which 100 kilometers are groomed. There are 10 warming huts, some of which are absolutely beautiful, and a destination in themselves. The ski season is long and the apres-skiing in nearby Wakefield andis excellent.

Skiing up to one of the beautiful warming huts in Gatineau Park

The, an area located north of Montreal, are famous for their network of cross- country ski trails. Choose from over 1000 kilometers of trails in 30 locations. A few of the more popular trails include the ones at, Parc d’Oka, the trails around Val-David and P’tit Train du Nord. There are options to put a multi-day trip together too. These trails offers something for all abilities. It’s also possible to back-country ski into huts for the night in Mont-Tremblant National Park.

Nordic skiing at Mont Tremblant is a fantastic experience

New Brunswick

Fundy National Park , located in the southeast of the province, offers 40 kilometers of trails, across a range of difficulty, but in two separate areas – Chignecto South and North. Look for incredible scenery on these trails through the hilly Acadian highlands.

Newfoundland

Thestarted in 1973 near Corner Brook, Newfoundland deserves a mention. The club looks after 42 kilometers of trails, crossing through some of Newfoundland’s most beautiful country. Trails for all levels are kept groomed and track set. Rentals are available onsite and day passes are $17.70 for adults.

For the adventurous back-country skier there is superlative skiing to be found in Gros Morne National Park as well.

Yukon Territory

Even though the nights are long, and the winters are cold, it doesn’t mean that people in the Yukon don’t get out cross-country skiing a lot. Theis home to 85 kilometers of groomed trails and 20 kilometers of back-country trails. There are lit trails – with two loops that can be combined to offer 10 km if they are skied in both directions. The trail lights are turned off when it’s -30C and colder. What a place to ski and experience the Northern Lights!

Leigh McAdam

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