Where to go cross-country skiing in Ontario

Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma

Algoma Country is a spectacular cross-country destination with shorelines along two of the Great Lakes and landscapes featuring rivers, lakes and old-growth forests.

 Stokely Creek Lodge

With over 100 kilometres of groomed and backcountry cross-country ski trails across a landscape of wilderness lakes, waterfalls, mixed forests and some of Ontario’s tallest summits, Stokely Creek Lodge is the ultimate spot for experienced cross-country skiers.

The lodge is located about a half-hour drive north of Sault Ste. Marie, positioned right in the crosshairs of the Lake Superior snowbelt. A typical winter at Stokely Creek sees at least two metres of snow accumulation.

Enjoy over 50 kilometres of trails groomed for skate and classic skiing, narrower paths groomed exclusively for classic skiing and ungroomed backcountry trails.

Location: Goulais River

Nearby:

• limited classic skis and snowshoes rentals are available or for a wider selection, check out Velorution in Sault Ste. Marie
• if you’re looking to learn the techniques of backcountry skiing, Bellevue Valley Lodge is a small, family-run chalet just north of Sault Ste. Marie. They offer a great introduction to backcountry skiing in wilderness terrain for those with a solid background in classic skiing 
• sample an authentic taste of Italy in Sault Ste. Marie: Fratelli’s Kitchen & Pizzeria and Giovanni’s Restaurant offer family-friendly and upscale dining, respectively, in side-by-side locations on Great Northern Road

 Hiawatha Highlands

You don’t have to go far from Sault Ste. Marie city centre to find epic Nordic skiing.

Hiawatha Highlands has a long history of dedicated winter enthusiasts, spearheaded by the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club.

The trails were originally blazed by hard-core cross-country skiers over 50 years ago and have since expanded to include 35 kilometres of carefully groomed classic and skate skiing trails and a 14-kilometre backcountry route to Mabel Lake.

There are three distinct trail networks from Hiawatha’s base on Landslide Road. The Red Pine offers exciting hills and wild scenery and is perfect for adventurous intermediate skiers. The Crystal provides the steepest climbs, descents and technical corners, making it a good choice for experts. Lastly, the Pinder provides a mellower skiing experience with gentle hills for beginners and families.

A selection of cross-country skis are available to rent on-site.

Location: Sault Ste. Marie

Nearby:

• enjoy coffee, gourmet lunch and homemade baking at Feeding Your Soul Cafe in uptown Sault Ste. Marie off Second Line 
• the Water Tower Inn offers incredible rooms, dining and spa experiences at the corner of Great Northern Road and Second Line on the route to Hiawatha

Northwest Ontario

Winter in Northwest Ontario’s Superior Country does not disappoint.

 Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

This iconic Ontario Park is about an hour's drive east of Thunder Bay. It features rugged topography, stunning Lake Superior lookouts, and 50 kilometres of groomed trails—perfect for adventurous cross-country skiers.

The trailhead is located at the Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Visitor Centre on Marie Louise Lake. If you’re up for a challenge, pack an energy bar and check out the Pickerel and Burma Loop, one of the best routes for skate and classic skiing in Northwestern Ontario.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park offers five cabins for winter stays at the Marie Louise Lake campground. Beginners and families will also enjoy the easier trails around the park campground.

The Sleeping Giant Loppet, held annually in March, is one of the premier ski events in North America. It features recreational races with distances up to 50 kilometres.

Location: Pass Lake

Nearby:

• Thunder Bay is a Nordic skiing hotbed: besides the world-class trails at Sleeping Giant, find another 50 kilometres of groomed trails that are great for beginners within city limits at Kamview Nordic Centre (ski rentals are available) and Lappe Nordic, as well as a smaller network of trails at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park
• stay at the Valhalla Inn in Thunder Bay or, for a more intimate experience minutes from the Sleeping Giant trails, book a cabin at Beyond the Giant Nature Retreat
• there are plenty of great dining options in Thunder Bay, ranging from authentic Finnish pancakes at Kangas Sauna (where you can also have a relaxing steam bath) to upscale fare at Caribou Restaurant + Wine Bar

 Northeastern Ontario

From Sudbury to the Quebec border, Northeastern Ontario delivers epic cross-country experiences.

 Kivi Park

Natural parks abound in and around the city of Greater Sudbury.

This 194-hectare area features outstanding cross-country skiing, with 35 kilometres of groomed trails just minutes from Sudbury’s Four Corners, south of

Highway 17. Kivi offers on-site rentals and options for all skiing levels, including families. Dedicated trails for fat biking, snowshoeing and a 1.2-kilometre ice skating path make Kivi a perfect multi-activity destination.

Location: Sudbury

Nearby:

• other options for Nordic skiing include groomed trails at Laurentian University and at BioSki
• the classic Italian menu at Di Gusto, legendary and delicious Respect Is Burning Kitchen & Bar and La Fromagerie are all great downtown Sudbury dining options
• visit Salute Coffee Company or Old Rock for a cup of locally roasted java
• Sudbury’s Parker House Suites offer unique accommodations in a century-old building with private kitchens for comfortable stays

Walden Cross Country

Walden Cross Country maintains two sets of Nordic ski trails just west of downtown Sudbury. The Walden Trails in Naughton, located on Highway 55, features 23 kilometres of groomed classic and skate options, a cozy chalet for warming up and a full rental shop and waxing shack.

The main trailhead in Naughton also offers more than 15 kilometres of fat bike singletrack and snowshoe trails.

The Beaver Lake Trails, with 5.5 kilometres of trails groomed for classic skiing, are accessed via the Beaver Lake Community Centre, 25 kilometres west of Sudbury off Highway 17.

Location: Sudbury

Nearby:

• book a heated yurt or cabin at nearby Windy Lake Provincial Park for a uniquely northern cross-country ski holiday
• there’s no reason to be thirsty in Sudbury: local breweries include Stack Brewing, 46 North Brewing and Crosscut Distillery

 Porcupine Ski Runners

Timmins is a great Ontario cross-country ski destination to kickstart your season. Early snow means trails are often open by the beginning of December or sooner.

For over 45 years, the volunteer-run club Porcupine Ski Runners has carefully crafted and maintained over 60 kilometres of Nordic ski route options. On-site facilities include a chalet-style lodge and rentals.

Easily accessible from Highway 101, you’ll find excellent classic and skate skiing options, including 3.5 kilometres of lighted trails for night skiing.

Location: Timmins

Nearby:

• enjoy a relaxing stay at the Cedar Meadows Resort and Spa in Timmins
• Radical Gardens is a popular Timmins eatery with a changing menu featuring fresh and healthy fare

 Temiskaming Nordic

Just like Timmins, long winters are the norm in Temiskaming Shores. Temiskaming Nordic stretches the ski season even further by taking advantage of a sandy landscape that allows groomers to operate on thin early-season snow, sometimes as early as November.

The club maintains 20 kilometres of classic and skate trails with a trailhead chalet on Portage Bay Road, located off Highway 11 south of Temiskaming Shores. Diverse terrain and challenging hills and corners have made Temiskaming Nordic the site of several provincial-level ski races.

Rentals are available on-site, including a limited amount of race-calibre gear, and the chalet offers snacks and kitchen facilities for preparing simple hot drinks and lunches.

Location: Temiskaming Shores

Nearby:

• find plenty of options for snowshoeing as well as a waterfront skating path
• enjoy comfortable lodgings at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound

Home to the iconic parks, Georgian Bay shoreline and lakes and forests of Muskoka, Explorers’ Edge is a winter wonderland.

 Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario’s oldest provincial park offers great cross-country ski options for winter enthusiasts.

Algonquin’s best cross-country trails for experienced skiers are near Whitney and the Park’s eastern boundary on Highway 60. The Leaf Lake network provides 45 kilometres of pristine classic tracks in a wilderness setting of hardwood forests and backcountry lakes. Warming huts along the way feature woodstoves, allowing adventurous skiers to warm up and enjoy lunch in quintessentially northern cabins.

Nearby:

• Algonquin Outfitters at Oxtongue Lake provides cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals
• several Algonquin Provincial Park campgrounds along the Highway 60 corridor allow winter camping, with options for tenting as well as heated yurts
• Oxtongue Lake Cottages are open year-round and located on Highway 60, minutes from the park’s west gate
• grab a fresh-baked sweet or savory snack at Henrietta’s Pine Bakery in Dwight

Arrowhead Provincial Park

This popular wintertime park just north of Huntsville on Highway 11 is home to the Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club, one of Ontario’s most vibrant groups of cross-country ski enthusiasts.

The club takes advantage of Arrowhead’s 33-kilometre network of perfectly groomed cross-country ski trails to deliver instruction for both classic and skate techniques for all levels of skiers.

Arrowhead Nordic offers private lessons for beginners, as well as a popular Ski For Fitness program that will help you develop efficient techniques; courses are offered throughout the winter.

Nearby:

• visit Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville for an excellent selection of rental cross-country ski equipment
• stay close to nature (and within a short drive of Arrowhead Provincial Park) at Limberlost Forest, which features a variety of cabins and cottages to suit the needs of larger groups and families, as well as on-site cross-country ski and snowshoe trails
• Farmer’s Daughter is a popular butcher and bakery on Highway 60 that offers on-site dining, with everything from homemade baked goods and coffee to charcuterie boards and meals-to-go

Bruce, Grey and Simcoe

Explore the groomed and ungroomed winter trails in Bruce, Grey and Simcoe counties.

Hardwood Ski and Bike

North of Barrie, Hardwood Ski and Bike is one of Ontario’s premier cross-country ski destinations. Hardwood is just over an hour north of the Greater Toronto Area and is easily accessible from Highway 400.

Enjoy thoughtfully designed, seriously challenging trails for classic and skate skiing and ample lake-effect snow. For heart-pumping skate skiing, check out the 10-kilometre Vancouver Trail, which features plenty of ups, downs and technical corners—many of which are taken at high speed. Meanwhile, the 12-kilometre Sochi is great for classic. In total there are 75 kilometres of route options. There’s also a full ski shop as well as rentals on-site.

Location: Barrie

Nearby:

• In addition to downhill skiing, snowtubing and fat biking, Horseshoe Resort also offers 30 kilometres of pristine cross-country ski trails.
• Overnight accommodations and on-site dining make it a winter vacation destination.

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures

Collingwood’s Scenic Caves Nature Adventures maintains 27 kilometres of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing, traversing the crest of the Niagara Escarpment with spectacular views of Lake Huron and a 200-year-old forest.

Rentals are available on-site and accredited instructors offer custom packages for individuals, couples and groups of up to four skiers. Learn the basics of cross-country skiing with a morning lesson and set off exploring and practicing your new skills in the afternoon.

Location: Collingwood

Nearby:

• Highlands Nordic in nearby Duntroon offers 25 kilometres of cross-country ski trails and an impressive lodge, with ski rentals and instruction also available
• there’s no shortage of places to stay and eat in Collingwood: try the VanderMarck Boutique Hotel for a unique suite in a century-old home in the heart of downtown
• the Northwinds Brewhouse and Kitchen offers locally brewed beer and pub fare, the Tremont Cafe offers European-style dining and Fish and Sips is the place to go for fish and chips

Kawarthas and Northumberland

Find adventure on the trails throughout Kawarthas and Northumberland, from lessons, rentals and beginner routes to opportunities for avid cross-country skiers.

Kawartha Nordic

Explore trails are designed for all styles and skill levels, including almost 50 kilometres of classic skiing, 27 kilometres dedicated to skate skiing and a two-kilometre night skiing loop.

Ski classes are available, gear up from the rental shop and enjoy rustic warming cabins along the trails.

Location: North Kawartha

Nearby:

• sections of the Trans Canada Trail that run between Campbellford, Peterborough and Lindsay offer great cross-country skiing opportunities or head to Ken Reid Conservation Area for scenic woodland trails
• fuel up with authentic Italian-inspired fare at Gusto Grande