The perfect way to add some adventure into your life!
The rhythmic swish-swish of skis on snow and the crackle of melting ice breaking the tranquil silence of the surrounding forest is the perfect stress antidote while supplying healthy exercise at the same time.
In the winter months, throughout Ontario, parks and resorts offer myriad opportunities for cross-country skiing and its sister sport, the downhill variety.
ALGONQUIN PARK
In Algonquin Park, two ski trails are regularly groomed with difficulty levels indicated and warm-up cabins provided.
• Fen Lake Ski Trail travels 18 kilometres through hardwood forest, typical of the park’s west side, with sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech and eastern hemlock the most prominent species.
• Leaf Lake Ski Trail, at 45 kilometres, incorporates seven loops from 3.7 to 13.2 kilometres. The 13.2-kilometre Pinetree Loop through rugged terrain is possibly the premiere trail in Ontario for experienced skiers.
• The Minnesing Wilderness Ski Trail, 18.4 kilometres, is not groomed but maintained for backcountry wilderness skiing.
he rhythmic swish-swish of skis on snow and the crackle of melting ice breaking the tranquil silence of the surrounding forest is the perfect stress antidote while supplying healthy exercise at the same time.
In the winter months, throughout Ontario, parks and resorts offer myriad opportunities for cross-country skiing and its sister sport, the downhill variety.
CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAILS
ALGONQUIN PARK
In Algonquin Park, two ski trails are regularly groomed with difficulty levels indicated and warm-up cabins provided.
• Fen Lake Ski Trail travels 18 kilometres through hardwood forest, typical of the park’s west side, with sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech and eastern hemlock the most prominent species.
• Leaf Lake Ski Trail, at 45 kilometres, incorporates seven loops from 3.7 to 13.2 kilometres. The 13.2-kilometre Pinetree Loop through rugged terrain is possibly the premiere trail in Ontario for experienced skiers.
HORSESHOE RESORT
Horseshoe Resort, just 15minutes outside of Barrie, offers more than 40 kilometres of always-groomed cross-country trails. On Jan. 19 and Feb. 16 it will host its popular Moonlight Ski, skiing by the light of the moon from 6–9 p.m. on lantern-lit trails through the Copeland Forest, followed by a crackling bonfire at the chalet with hot apple cider and marshmallows.
HARDWOOD SKI AND BIKE
Hardwood Ski and Bike on the northern shores of Lake Simcoe, is one of the Ontario’s premiere places for cross-country skiing, for both beginners and advanced skiers, with more than 40 kilometres of rolling trails through the wooded forests of Oro Medonte. Its longest trail is 22 kilometres and accommodates all levels of ability, on terrain that ranges from gently rolling to challenging. With an on-site food truck serving meals and snacks, a service shop, as well as a retail store a, full-service experience is what visitors enjoy.
