25 of the Best Places to Go Cross-Country Skiing in Canada

This article is copied from:

https://www.explore-mag.com/Editors-Picks-25-of-the-Best-Places-to-Go-Cross-Country-Skiing-in-Canada

Fresh air, a great workout and a winter sport that won’t gouge your wallet? No longer just “skiing for people who don’t have access to mountains”, cross-country skiing is experiencing a surge in popularity as people realize how fun and versatile it is. No pow? No problem. Only have a couple of hours to spare? Get at it.

No matter where you live in Canada, there’s a cross-country skiing sweet spot near you. We’ve listed Explore Editor David Webb’s top groomed and backcountry picks in each region, so that you can get out there and get gliding. Spandex optional.

Before you venture into the backcountry...

For the ill-prepared or inexperienced, venturing into the backcounty can be dangerous. Now, factor in winter conditions. Rapidly changing weather and risk of avalanche post a constant danger. Be prepared.

Rules for backcountry safety:

• Be avalanche aware - check conditions before you leave. Know the warning signs and always remain in visual contact of your partners.
• Reliable communications: The trails listed below will lead you through areas of spotty-to-no cell coverage. SPOT Satellite GPS Messengers can send emergency responders your GPS coordinates so that you can easily be located in an emergency, even when you are well beyond cellular service. It can also let family and friends know you’re OK when you just want to check in. Better safe than sorry.
• Pack proper gear, wear layers and reflective clothing.
• Know when sunset is, especially if you do not intend to winter camp. 
• Carry rescue equipment and know how to use it. If appropriate, know how to self-rescue from a crevasse. 
• Never go alone and pick partners who have skills, fitness and experience.
• Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. 

Whitehorse Nordic Centre

Whitehorse, Yukon

Eighty-five kilometres of groomed track for classic and skate skiing and 20 kilometres of ungroomed single track are just some of the offerings at the Whitehorse Nordic Centre. Wax rooms, a sauna and change rooms are a few of the amenities on offer, along with equipment rentals and lessons. Drop by on Sunday afternoons from January to March for “Easy Like Sunday” — a volunteer-run warming tent complete with bonfire and hot chocolate.

Old Ingraham Trail

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories

Richard McIntosh

The Yellowknife Ski Club maintains an impressive network of cross-country skiing, race and biathlon trails along the Old Ingraham Trail. The club also provides a chalet, lessons and a large canvas backcountry tent that is free for use by members. Check out the 2 kilometres of night-lit trails, and watch for northern lights.

Kluane National Park

Yukon

© Parks Canada / Fritz Mueller

With its stunning combination of lakes, rivers, forests and mountains (including Mt. Logan - Canada’s highest peak), it is easy to see why this park forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are six designated nordic trails in Kluane National Park, ranging in length from 5 to 85 kilometres. These are wilderness trails, and are not groomed. Amenities and accommodation are available at nearby Haines Junction.

Blachford Lake Lodge

Northwest Territories

Martina Gebarovska & Blachford Lake Lodge

In 2011, the wild, pristine beauty of Blachford Lake captured the imagination of royal couple William and Kate, who chose to spend a portion of their honeymoon there. In the winter it offers a different, sparkling-snow-and-northern-lights kind of beauty. With marked groomed and ungroomed trails to explore along the 17-kilometre-long lake, cross-country opportunities abound. Equipment rentals and guides are available for guests of Blachford Lake Lodge — royal or otherwise.

Akshayuk Pass

Baffin Island, Nunavut

Wendy Grater, Black Feather

Presided over by Mounts Asgard and Thor (one of the world’s tallest rock faces), and featuring river valleys and hanging glaciers, Akshayuk Pass is a stunning landscape of stark contrasts. The pass is a traditional Inuit travel corridor, and totals 105 kilometres of backcountry travel. This is a serious expedition that should only be undertaken by experienced backcountry skiers. Wintertime cold and darkness make this a great trip to try in the spring. Guided cross-country ski trips are available with The Great Canadian Adventure Company. 

Ski Callaghan

Whistler, British Columbia

Comprising both Callaghan Country and the world-class Whistler Olympic Park, Ski Callaghanhas 130 kilometres of groomed and wilderness trails to offer classic and skate skiers. A single day pass grants access to both areas, as well as three day-huts. Equipment rentals and private and group lessons are available.

Mount Washington Alpine Resort

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Mount Washington Alpine Resort

This Nordic Centre perched at the edge of beautiful Strathcona Provincial Park boasts 55 kilometres of trails that cover both resort and park land. Cross-country ski trails are machine groomed and offer excellent views. Pick up your trail pass or grab rentals and lessons at the full-service Raven Lodge.

Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre

Smithers, British Columbia

Located in B.C.’s snow belt, the Bulkley Valley enjoys a longer-than-average ski season and a healthy snowfall. Of the 45 kilometres of runs groomed for classic and skate skiing, 7 kilometres are dog-friendly and 5.5 kilometres are lit for night skiing. There is also a biathlon range. Bulkley Valley Nordic Centre's amenities include a day lodge and a waxing hut.

Lake Louise area

Banff National Park, Alberta

Banff Lake Louise Tourism / Paul Zizka Photography

Lake Louise is a vision to behold in any season. In winter, the area nestled in Alberta’s snow belt is also home to some excellent cross-country skiing. With 70 kilometres of track-set trails covering varied terrain in a serene wilderness setting, the Lake Louise area is not to be missed. Rentals are available, and there are two full-service ski shops nearby.

Canmore Nordic Centre

Canmore, Alberta

Ric Rowan

Operating as both a training and a recreational facility, the Canmore Nordic Centre boasts an early-season trail that opens in October, for those who just can’t wait to get their laps in. Sixty-five kilometres of groomed, machine-made and natural trails take skate and classic skiers through a meadow that offers views of Canmore, the Bow Valley and the Rockies. Wax rooms are available and a full-service ski shop is on-site for those needing rentals, lessons, tours or waxing.

Elk Island National Park

Alberta

Nordic skiing at Elk Island National Park is a truly Canadian wilderness experience. Follow multi-use trails across frozen lakes and through aspen and spruce groves. Keep a lookout for bull elk and moose. Keep in mind that trails are not track-set. When you’re done, pay a visit to the visitor’s centre or unwind at the cafe.

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Alberta - Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan Parks

Extending from the southeast of Alberta into the southwest of Saskatchewan, Cypress Hillsoffers over 57 kilometres of groomed and natural trails, spread out over several locations. For an extended stay, huts and winter camping are available in the park. Beginners can find rentals and lessons at Cypress Hills Resort in Saskatchewan, or at Elkwater in Alberta.

Prince Albert National Park

Saskatchewan

© Parks Canada / Kevin Hogarth

With trailheads in the Waskesiu townsite, Prince Albert National Park's cross-country skiing trail network is comprised of six easy and moderate volunteer-groomed and natural trails. Equipment rentals are available in Waskesiu.

White Butte Recreation Area

Regina, Saskatchewan

Courtesy of the Regina Ski Club

Just 20 minutes from Regina, the White Butte Recreation Area offers 13 kilometres of groomed trails that meander among trees and over rolling hills. There is a warming hut and an outdoor toilet on-site. Trails are groomed for classic and skate skiing. Proving itself a hype-worthy cross-country ski destination, White Butte Recreation Area snagged a 2006 Ski Trax Magazine Trax Trail Award. 

Riding Mountain National Park

Manitoba

© Parks Canada / LankBeach Productions

With 10 volunteer-maintained cross-country ski trails scattered throughout the park, Riding Mountain is the perfect place to spy birds and wildlife (wolves, elk and bison inhabit the park). Stay late and you might catch aurora borealis putting on a show. Trails are groomed and ungroomed.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

Ontario

Nestled in the boreal forest near Lake Superior, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park offers lake views and wildlife spotting (moose, wolves, foxes and lynx all inhabit the area) along its 50 kilometres of groomed trails. Trails can be found for beginner to advanced classic and skate skiers.

Algonquin Provincial Park

Ontario

The first provincial park in Ontario, and one of the largest, Algonquin boasts 7,630 square kilometres of lakes, deciduous and coniferous trees, and wildlife including wolves, white-tailed deer and moose. The park also contains 110 kilometres of cross-country ski trails. There are three groomed and track-set trail systems (with shelters and washrooms) and one wilderness trail system.

Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail

Ottawa, Ontario

The Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail opened in February of 2016 to much fanfare. With a total of 16 kilometres of track-set classic and skate trails extending along the Ottawa River shoreline, there’s a lot to like. This multi-use trail also caters to snowshoers, walkers and snow bikers, and is transit accessible.

Chic-Choc Mountains

Gaspe Peninsula, Quebec

Canadian Tourism Commission

Alpine tundra and taiga terrain dominate the Chic-Chocs on the Gaspe Peninsula, giving the area a wide-open, expansive feel. Three track-set, classic-only trails, and 190 kilometres of backcountry trails provide ample opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and the views. Equipment rentals are available and 17 backcountry huts span the trail network if you need to warm up or plan on staying overnight.

Parc national d'Aiguebelle

Quebec

Mathieu Dupuis for Sépaq

Parc national d’Aiguebelle’s 30 kilometres of marked backcountry trails take skiers among frozen lakes, thick forest and rocky faces. Eleven rustic shelters dot the park, and moose and wolves are year-round inhabitants.

Brookvale Provincial Ski Park

Brookvale, Prince Edward Island

Tourism PEI | Brian Simpson

With 24.5 kilometres of groomed recreational trails and 7.5 kilometres of competitive and biathlon trails, Brookvale Ski Park caters to beginners and elite athletes alike. Amenities include equipment rentals, waxing huts, a lodge and a biathlon range.

Fundy National Park

New Brunswick

Located along New Brunswick’s wild Atlantic coast, Fundy National Park boasts the world’s highest tides. It also contains 40 kilometres of groomed trails that are usually maintained by volunteers from the Chignecto Ski Club. But from January to March, 2017, in honour of Canada 150, Parks Canada will not only be maintaining the cross-country skiing trails, they will also be renting out the 5 yurts, 2 rustic cabins and 10 oTENTniks that are usually unavailable in the winter season. Book your yurt early!

Kouchibouguac National Park

New Brunswick

© Parks Canada / Chris Reardon

Kouchibouguac has more going for it than its name. Fifteen kilometres of groomed classic and skate skiing trails, a waxing hut and seven other shelters provide skiers with all the necessary amenities for a fun day out. Equipment rentals are available from Thursday through Monday.

Ski Tuonela

Nova Scotia

Chris Law | Ski Tuonela

Ski Tuonela is a unique property, an hour’s drive from Sydney. Eighteen kilometres of trails and a graded Telemark ski hill offer skiers plenty to do. A “ski village,” including a chalet, several cabins and saunas, is located 4 kilometres by ski from the parking lot on the Cabot Trail.

Fogo Island

Newfoundland & Labrador

Fogo Island is the largest island on the Newfoundland-Labrador Coast. Its subarctic landscape and remoteness have led the Flat Earth Society to the conclusion that the island’s Brimstone Head is one of Earth’s four corners. Herds of caribou roam the island’s boreal forest, and in the spring, migrating icebergs pass by, through the so-called “Iceberg Alley." 

Ski on the Coldest Day

My son and I went out for a ski on the coldest day at below -20. It's a powder day with 20cm new snow, the kind of day that you normally duck into woods. Since he doesn't have classic skis, we opt for next best thing -- skate skiing on ridge road. However, the plan was thwarted by the strong wind that blew snow everywhere. We climbed up to Penguin Picnic Area from P8 hoping the narrower ridge road will have less blowing snow. We were wrong. By the time we got to ridge road, we were severely discouraged. A few skiers on classic skis passed by and we looked at them with envy.

We decided to call it a day. Coming down from Ridge to Penguin was fun on powder snow but it was soooo cold. Glad we wore buff that doubled as face mask. Back in Chelsea, we found Les Saisons Cafe and ordered the largest hot chocolate available.

Different skating techniques for different terrains

Source
http://crosscountryskitechnique.com/skate-skiing/

The 5 primary skate ski techniques, arranged on the power-speed continuum, like gears on a bike or car. (American names in brackets):

1. Diagonal Skate (V Skating)
2. Offset (V1 Skate)
3. One Skate (V2 Skate)
4. Two Skate (V2 Alternate)
5. Free Skate (No Poles)

Top Tips for New Skate Skiers

This article is copied from http://crosscountryskitechnique.com/our-top-tips-for-new-skate-skiers/

By Kim McKenney

Our Top Tips for New Skate Skiers

It’s difficult at first, but you’ll never regret learning how to skate ski.

No doubt you’ll hear different advice from other coaches, but if you’re just getting started in skate skiing, here’s what we recommend:

1. Get Good Gear

Good fit is important. Buy gear from a reputable source, preferably from someone who actually skate skis. Spend as much as your budget allows.

A good rule of thumb is to buy gear for the skier you want to become, not necessarily the skier you are right now.

2. Don’t Join Club Offset

You’ll find skate skiers like this at every nordic centre: super fit adults, keenly involved in another endurance sport like running, cycling or triathlon, but looking to mix up their winter training with xc skiing. They’ll kit themselves out in top gear, but won’t invest in lessons.

You can spot a self-taught skate skier because they all ski the same way. They use a homemade technique that resembles V1-Offset and they use it on all terrain – uphills, downhills and everything in between.

My friend jokes, “Club Offset is training today.” It’s mean, but kinda funny.

Don’t join Club Offset! There are 5 skate ski techniques and you need to learn them all.

3. Focus on One Skate and Offset

In our opinion offset (V1) and one skate (V2) are the most important skate techniques. Together they’ll get you across the widest range of terrain with the greatest efficiency. Use offset to climb hills and one skate as much as possible everywhere else.

4. Two Skate is Not Your Friend

You’ll likely have trouble with One Skate. You’ll feel like you’re moving too fast and that you can’t possibly push with your poles with every leg push. You’ll think One Skate is the wrong technique for the terrain you’re skiing and you will want to switch to two skate (V2-alternate).

Your problem is not speed, it’s lack of balance. Be disciplined and don’t use Two Skate to cheat your way out of your balance problem. Slow down and lower your centre of mass by getting into the athletic position. Practice the one skate dance.

See also: One Skate: Too Fast, Too Hard or Just Right?

5. Double Pole

Seriously. Yes, it’s a classic technique, but it’s similar to how poling works in skate skiing. You can double pole with skate skis and poles.

Some of the advantages of Double Poling practice for skate skiers:

• It simplifies things, so you can focus on your arm mechanics without having to worry about your kick.
• The way you bend at the hips, knees and ankles in Double Poling is similar to One Skate and Two Skate.
• Double Poling teaches you how to create full body tension; how to be both braced and activated throughout your core, but still make movements that are fluid and smooth.
• It teaches you how to transfer power from your upper body into your poles and into your lower body and skis.

6. Ski Uphill Without Poles

You’ll hate this, but you’ll be glad you did it. A common mistake is using the upper body and poles to haul yourself uphill. You feel like your arms are dying but you can’t access the power of your legs. In efficient offset, approximately 60% of the propulsion comes from the legs and the remainder from the upper body.

Put down your poles and learn how to ski uphill, legs only. Use a wide, low stance and make a wide v-shape with your skis. Practice this often, more often than you want to.

The goal is simple: try to make it easier. How can you create glide with every step? Experiment with tempo, step size, stance width, and other factors.

What happens when you put your poles back on? Pay attention to the V shape your skis are making. If your V became a lot narrower than it was when you were working with poles only, and you started to feel like your are hauling yourself up the hill with your upper body, then put the poles away again.

7. Be Playful

If you’re not careful, you can become very good at bad technique. To avoid locking into poor motor patterns you want to give your neuromuscular system lots of different movement experiences and options.

The best way to do this is to play on your skis. Play is excellent because it stops you from over thinking and lets you respond naturally to all kinds of movement challenges.

Train yourself to be nimble and agile on your skate skis. Pick up your feet, practice step turns, quick starts and stops, stepping in and out of the track, skiing in circles, hockey stops etc. If you ski with group, have relay races and play games like capture the flag or one ski soccer.

8. Take a Lesson…Later

The first stage of learning to skate ski is just getting comfortable on the gear. No matter how good your sense of balance, you’ll have trouble staying upright as the skis glide across the snow. Taking a lesson at this point is a waste of money.

Find a flat area and just move around by yourself, gradually growing more stable and comfortable. Your body/brain needs to work through the experience of becoming familiar with the feel of the skis. It’s sensory learning experience that requires little instruction. Just use common sense techniques like keeping your centre of mass low and staying loosely flexed in all your joints.

Once you’ve developed a degree of comfort on the skis, take a lesson. If you’re in the Calgary area, you can contact us for lessons. You can also join XC Ski Nation, our membership site, and get ongoing support from us as well as access to our best video resources. It’s terrific value, if I do say so myself ;)

That’s our best advice. What about you? Have any tips to share or anything that particularly helped you?

Related: Don’t Waste Your Time on Stupid Skate Drills

Recommended videos

Keith Nicol's diagonal stride video

V2 One Skate

The One Skate Dance

Jackrabbit's life: The old man and the ski

Rideau Canal Skating

Ottawa's Rideau Canal is the world's longest outdoor skating rink and it opened this weekend. A couple of friends of mine and I went on to skate the whole length. Ice conditions were excellent albeit it was a bit cold. We cruised from Dow's lake to NAC and back and it took us just an hour. 

I enjoy skating on the canal and, to be relevant, view it as cross training for skate skiing. Will aim to improve speed this year.

Photo credit: Yang Fang

Nordic skating is sometimes called skate touring. It shares boots and bindings with skate skiing. The blades can be easily detached in case the person needs to walk over a patch of rough ice or to the car. It's popular in Scandinavian countries. They're perfect for the canal. Local stores Fresh Air Experience and PaddleShack carry Nordic blades.

Good YouTube XC Videos

Some YouTube channels that I recommend

Keith Nicol's videos

XCZoneTV (our local ski instructors)

XC Ski Academy

Cross Country Ski Technique

Ski Rental and Lessons

For ski lessons, refer to this page:

XC OTTAWA Ski Lessons

1. La Fleur at Mooney's Bay Ski Centre

For pricing go to
Website: https://lafleurskirentals.com/pricing/

2. Greg Christies Ski et Velo

Phone #: (819) 827-5340

Toll Free Phone #:   +1 800 345-3754

Address:      148 Old Chelsea Road, Chelsea, QC
Website: https://www.gregchristies.com/

	Hour	Full day
Cross-country package – Classic	$20, $35 for 3 hours	$50
Cross-country package – Skate	$35, $45 for 3 hours	$50
Fat Bike	$30, $50 for 3 hours	$65
Snowshoes	$15, $30 for 3 hours	$35

3. Fresh Air Experience 

We are proud to have one of Ottawa’s largest XC rental fleets. Daily and weekly ski package
rentals are available on a first-come first serve basis (We do not take reservations).
Please visit early to ensure availability and best sizing.

Duration: Daily rentals are due back by close of the business the day after the date of rental. 

All our rental equipment is NNN/Prolink compatible. 

As an added bonus, get half of your rental price back, 

if you make a ski purchase made within 30 days of the rental date.


Website: https://freshairexp.ca/xc-ski-and-skate-blade-rentals/

XC SKIS AND SKATE BLADES

CLASSIC SKI PACKAGE Includes classic ski (waxless Salomon with binding), touring boots and poles	First Day: $25.00 Additional Day: $18.00
SKATE SKI PACKAGE Includes skate ski (Salomon Equipe skate ski with binding), skate boots and poles	First Day: $35.00 Additional Day: $25.00
ICE BLADES (EXCLUDING BOOTS) Great for the Rideau Canal	Per Day: $20.00

4. Ski Rental at MEC Ottawa

 

	Daily rate	Weekly rate
Cross-country package – Classic	$20	$100
Cross-country package – Skate	$30	$150
Ice climbing axes (pair)	$13	$65
Crampons	$10	$50
Snowshoes (general purpose)	$15	$75
Snowshoes (kids’)	$10	$50

Where to Ski near Ottawa

This following list is compiled by Trailhead. "Here's where you can ski."       All within hours of Ottawa

Gatineau Park 200 km | Click here for Trail Map Gatineau Park has one of the largest networks of cross-country ski trails in North America. http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/ S-Jam 16 km | Click here for Trail Map A groomed multi-use winter trail along the Sir John A. Macdonald (SJAM) multi-use pathway http://www.wintertrail.ca Kanata Nordic 18 km | Click here for Trail Map Ski on a growing network of over 18km of groomed trails for classic and skate-skiing at Wesley Clover Parks. http://www.kanatanordic.ca Madawaska Nordic 18 km | Click here for Trail Map Cross country ski trails in winter, hiking and mountain bike trails in summer http://www.greatermadawaska.com

Green Belt 150 km | Click here for Trail Map This area encircling Ottawa has over 150 kilometres of cross-country ski trails.  http://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/greenbelt Fitz Roy Park 8 km | Click here for Trail Map Fitz Roy Park offers classic and skate skiing through beautiful forest trails.  http://wcnordic.com Mooneys Bay 5 km | Click here for Trail Map Mooney's Bay Park offers 5 km of groomed and well-lit trails. https://ottawa.ca/ Algonquin Park 110 km | Click here for Trail Maps Algonquin Park has several trail networks offering over 110 kilometres of some of Ontario's best cross-country (nordic) skiing. http://www.algonquinpark.on.ca La Rose Forest 46 km | Click Here for a Trail Map In winter, the Larose Forest offers several trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. http://en.prescott-russell.on.ca/ Lac Ste. Marie 10 km | Click here for Trail Map https://expeditionlsm.com Fairmont Chateau Montebello 245 km With 42 km of groomed trails for all levels, Montebello is a true cross-country skiing paradise. https://www.fairmont.com/montebello/ Kenauk Nature 8 - 18 km | Click here for the Trail Map Kenauk offers a network of three trails for all levels of experience. http://kenauk.com Blue Sea 14 km | Click here for the Trail Map https://www.bluesea.ca/ Nakkertok  75 km | Click here for Trail Map Eastern Canada's largest cross country ski club, located near Ottawa in Cantley and Val-des-Monts, Quebec http://nakkertok.ca Murphys Point 20 km | Click here for Trail Map Murphys Point Provincial Park opened in 1979 and is located about 20 minutes south of Perth, Ontario on Big Rideau Lake.  https://www.ontarioparks.com/ Tremblant 110 km | Click Here for Trail Map More than 110 km of cross-country trails for beginners and experts alike to discover nature at your own pace around Tremblant. https://www.tremblant.ca/

XC Skiing at Mont Tremblant National Park

Mont Tremblant National Park is a beautiful destination to visit, summer or winter. In winter, you can xc ski or snowshoe in a vast area on groomed or un-groomed trails. You can even stay at a winter hut for a night or two.

As you can see, there are a number of green trails as well as a good selection of blue and black trails.

There are a couple of ski-in cabins where people can stay overnight. The cabins are heated with a wood stove and are equipped with mattresses. All you need to pack is food, cooking utensils, and a sleeping bag. The cabins are used by day trippers during 9am to 4pm.

The only downside of this area is the trails are not wide enough for skate skiing. For this, you will have to go to St Bernard area near Mont Tremblant Ski Resort.

Winter Ski Hut Stay

A few of us went to Mont Tremblant National Park for an overnight stay at a ski hut, Le Campe. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough snow so we had to snowshoe in.

I found snowshoeing very pleasant. Carrying a backpack of food and camping supplies is not a problem when snowshoeing. The only downside is it's really noisy and there is no chance of seeing any animal. We did however see many animal tracks.

After reaching the cabin, we immediately started a fire in the stove to warm up the cabin. The cabin has a large pot for melting snow and we definitely needed more water. We cooked food on camping stoves instead since the wood stove is not hot enough for effective cooking. It it however hot enough to warm up food.

Sleeping quarters are in the attic. With the stove giving out plenty of heat, the overnight stay was very pleasant except for the trips to the loo of course. After an uneventful night, we packed up, cleaned up the cabin, and headed back for civilization.

Western Cabin Visit

It's rare to have mid-winter condition in December. We're certainly blessed this year. We went up to visit Western Cabin from P9 via Fortune Parkway and Champlain Lookout. It wasn't cold but blustery so it was greatly appreciated to have a cabin to have lunch at. Chatting with friends beside a warm fire is certainly something also greatly appreciated. 

Note to self: bring a thermos of hot chocolate or tea next time.