NE Ontario – Cross Country Skiing Galore
Not Only BIG But Many Opportunities
Cross Country 101
Cross Country Skiing Like Canoeing Northeastern Ontario Has It
Winter Wonderland – Where to Go
by Back Roads Bill Steer
(Editor’s note. Back Roads Bill looks at the many cross country ski clubs (most offer snowshoe trails as well) that dot the landscape of Northeastern Ontario. He keeps it simple, with CCX 101, why you should ski, along with some general tips for getting started. He says, “get out and stay out… enjoy the winter and our northern hospitality – Vitamin N – Naturally.”
When it snows, why not make for the cross-country ski trails?
Like canoeing cross country skiing is a limited-time option. But that’s the reason to choose Northeastern Ontario it is known for both.
Nordic, or cross-country skiing is popular with all age groups in Ontario, and no wonder. We have hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails, for an activity that epitomizes wellness for mind and body. There are also back-country trails for the more adventurous explorers.
For city-dwellers in particular, it can be difficult to find good trails, at best there are temporary tracks blossom in many urban parks after a good snowfall. A wise man told me you can never have enough canoes and kayaks, but same can said for cross country skis and snowshoes, different pieces of equipment for what awaits you and it stays with you. And Northeastern Ontario has a network of community clubs that complement tourism service sector.
Why Cross Country?
Are video games a good way to exercise? No matter what the studies say (the empirical consensus states virtual reality is not meeting all the needs) we need to go outside. And the options for aerobic exercise during the winter can be, the run that ends up to be slipping and sliding along icy streets or pedalling nowhere under the fluorescent lights of the gym reading the captions or with earbuds that never seem to stay in.
Cross country is a better option, one that, recent research indicates, actually offers unique advantages compared to the alternatives. One of the big differences between cross-country skiing and other forms of endurance exercise, like running and cycling, is that your upper body plays a big role. Yes the work is pleasurable.
The real reason, as the body works harder to stay warm, the amount of endorphins produced also increases, leaving you with a stronger sense of happiness and lightness following a ski in the cold. As the body works harder to regulate its core temperature you’ll burn a few more calories during your wintry workout compared to the one conducted indoors.
And since cross-country skiing is fairly easy to learn, it’s become a very popular family sport. You start with shuffling and the “kick and glide” eventually becomes inherent. The occasional steep uphill on a cross-country course is a necessary evil so climb perpendicularly of angle up. How else do you earn the downhill that follows?
Getting Started
Let’s keep it simple, we want to get outside. Wax your skis or wax less that’s a decision. And there is the new emerging technology “skin skis.” Lefebvre’s Source For Adventure is a third generation North Bay retailer in Northern Ontario. Outdoors specialist, Mike Palangio gives us some “getting started” tips.
“Before a customer walks out the door proper ski fitting is an important step that should be a given by any ski retailer. All skis are sized by a weight range from the factory. However, these are fairly broad ranges and can be a little bit misleading depending on the skier’s ability and intended use of the skis (i.e. on-track vs. off-track, and leisure vs. performance). Professionally fit skis will serve you better and help enhance skiing experience.
“Often times wax less or “grip” skis are wonderful options for a beginner getting into the sport that doesn’t want to invest the time to wax,” he said. “Waxing for grip will provide more performance, however for the average beginner the time commitment may be daunting. Which is why new technology has been developed and it is gaining popularity. Look for many touring level skis with “skin” or mohair grip systems in the coming seasons. This provides and all weather solution to the wax less market.”
So it is how much you want to spend, but once you buy a cross country ski package it’s with you for a long time. Layers of clothing and a small daypack, look within your closet, you’re ready to go. Let’s get going.
Where to Go!
Because Northeastern Ontario is such a vast and relatively untouched country, the trail options here can seem endless. Whether you’re looking for a big getaway or a just a short day trip, there are literally hundreds of km of trails waiting to be tracked.
Whether you’re just out for the day, or planning a longer vacation, there are networks of trails just minutes from communities and hotels, motels and lodges; you’ll find a BIG winter adventure in this summary. Most clubs have now included snowshoe trails as well so there is the opportunity for the double header. See the websites for the maps and trail descriptions call the contact information and look for those special events; especially those monthly moonlight outings, special “food” days; some trails have night lights and look to the calendar of events for each club when the trail direction is reversed for a different experience. These community clubs are like “home stays” when you are travelling abroad. The members are winter enthusiasts who have a passion for an “active” activity and volunteer their time to make a for a “natural experience.” They will go out of their way to answer your queries.
(Yes the back country beckons and any provincial park or conservation authority area that is closed provides those more natural skiing adventures and other options for winter camping. And after being “bitten by the bug,” there are two examples for skiing and winter camping with your own gear or stay in a yurt. Windy Lake Provincial Park in conjunction with the Onaping Falls Ski Club and at Killarney Provincial Park.)
It was founded in the mid 70’s and is located just north of the Town of Hearst on Hwy 583. There are 35 km of groomed trails; all trails groomed for both classic and skating skiing; ski rentals are available. There are 5 km of snowshoe trails
In its 38th year the chalet has been renovated. There are 25 km of trails and 10 km of snowshoe trails. Check out the Events tab, the breakfast sounds good! You can rent skis at the chalet and there are three warm up shacks, complete with wood stoves, tables, and benches.
Laurentian Nordic Ski Club – City of Greater Sudbury
705-988-3035
Staying in the city, take your skis. The club is situated on the Laurentian University campus, with a groomed ski link/connection to the nearby BioSki Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Club. A trail pass allow saccess to the University Ski Trails, the Idlwylde Golf Club and the Nickel District Conservation Area Trails. These encompass approximately 18 km of loops and extensions. Rentals are available (see the Directions tab for location).
705 338 2588
Located just north of Smooth Rock Falls there are 18 km of groomed trails and 3 km of snow shoe trails. The ski club consists of a main lodge, with a second chalet located at the mid-point of the trails it serves as a lookout over the ever present Mattagami River.
705 495-0332
The trail system is a series of concentric loops of approximately 50 km. One of the highlights the club offers 2.5 km of lit trails. Most trails are groomed for both skating and classic. The trails are on Crown Land which is part of the Mattawa River Provincial Park system. The main floor of the clubhouse is heated with a wood stove and has a dining area / common area and snack bar. There are ski equipment rentals.
705-855-0145
The Onaping Falls Nordic Ski Club maintains two trail sites, one at Windy Lake Provincial Park and the other in nearby Dowling. The main trail system is located at Windy Lake Provincial Park, just off of Highway 144 North. Explore more than 15 km of forested trail set for both the classic and skating enthusiast. At Windy Lake trails are groomed for both classic and skate skiingRentals are available. See the availability of yurts within the park here.
705-360-1444
Take your skis to the city “with the heart of gold;” the Timmins’ Porcupine Ski Runners has 30 km of scenic and groomed trails, some fully illuminated for 4 km of night skiing. All trails are groomed for both classic and free style skiing. For the avid hiker it has a fully signed snowshoe 5 km trail system designed to challenge anyone from experienced to novice.
705 679-5106
Located just west of Highway 11, north of Cobalt and south of Haileybury, the 26 year old Temiskaming Nordic Ski Club offers 20 km of groomed and track-set skate and classic skiing trails on beautiful rolling esker terrain. It has a large heated log chalet with a “warm welcome,” greeting on their website.
Walden Cross Country Fitness Club
705 692-2321
The Walden Cross Country Fitness Club was established in 1978. The club hosts three trail systems: Naughton, Beaver Lake and Voyageur Trails. Naughton, the club’s primary location, offers more than 23 km of skate and classic trails. There is also a fully accessible lit loop. There is also have a 3 km lighted trail for both classical and skating for night skiing. Rentals are available. Beaver Lake ski trails are track set for classic skiing only and vary in difficulty from moderate to difficult and in length from 1.5 km to 5.5 km. The Voyageur Trails are located in Azilda and feature 3 classic ski loops (1km, 5km and 8km)
Facebook or 705-544-2051
There are 12 km of groomed trails within Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park that borders the scenic Englehart River. Snowshoe trails are available.
705-567-5215
The trails are located behind the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex. A map is available at the start of the trails or at reception at the community complex. The ski trails are approximately 12 km in length and are made up of six loops. Most loops can accommodate skate skiing in addition to groomed classic skiing tracks. There are ski rentals at the recreation complex.
The club is a located about 20 minutes south of North Bay, Ontario – between Callander and Astorville on the Lake Nosbonsing Rd. They have 17 km of ski trails and 7 km of snowshoe trails meandering through a mix of hardwood and conifers dotted with wetlands and plenty of deer sign. The ski trails are classically groomed and track set and include 7.5 km of double-track.
Cochrane Cross-Country Ski Club
Facebook or 705-271-5335
Started in 1976, the Cochrane Cross Country Ski Club features many trails with unique names including the 2 km loop Squirrelly Cut to the 6 km loop Foxy Lady . Snowshoeing is available.
Capreol Cross Country Ski Club
705 -0858-0555
There are 23 km of ski trails with bird feeders on some trails and over 20,000 seedlings planted to beautify the setting. There is moonlight skiing once a month, with a follow-up of pizza and entertainment. Classic tracks only, all trails are double-track set. There is a toboggan hill located next to the clubhouse. Rentals are available.
Iroquois Falls Cross Country Ski Club
Facebook or 705-232-0002
Iroquois Falls Cross Country Ski Club was founded in 1973 and has 25 km of trails. Bring your dog out on the Doggie Trail. Free sleighs for parents who want to bring along their younger children.
Manitoulin Nordic Ski Club
705 368-3534
The club has 10 km of trails. Cafe in the Woods event every two weeks featuring folk music. This North Channel club, is located just off Highway 540, 14 km west of Little Current, featuring hilly terrain and a beautiful chalet.
Moonbeam Nature Trails (Remi Ski Club)
705- 367-1110
Located between Moonbeam and Rene Brunelle Provincial Park there is a number of looped trails to choose from. Great for snow shoeing, the Edward Bonner Tree Improvement Centre is located in the heart of the Great Northern Clay Belt and this trail system. It was originally established in 1948 as a tree nursery to produce seedlings for the purpose of general boreal forest regeneration in harvested sites.
West Nipissing Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club
705 753-3431
The West Nipissing Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club shares their property with the Sturgeon Falls Rod and Gun Club. There is 13 km of looped trails and 9 km of snowshoe trails. There is a heated chalet and it operates five days a week (Wednesday to Sunday), from 10am – 3:30pm.
Come spring, you’ll be looking for your next canoe route in Northeastern Ontario, for now enjoy the many cross country ski destinations and enjoy the decision of where to go? it will be a good one.
SEE THE MAP LINK…ALL 18 CLUBS… USE THE GOOGLE EARTH BASE MAP TO LOOK AT THE SETTING AND TERRAIN: Google Map