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 BIG reason to choose Northeastern Ontario—it’s known for both.
Nordic, or cross country, skiing is popular with all ages in Ontario, and it’s no wonder. We have hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails for an activity that epitomizes wellness of 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 in in urban parks after a good snowfall. A wise man told me you can never have enough canoes and kayaks, but the same can said for cross country skis and snowshoes—different pieces of equipment for what awaits you and stays with you. And Northeastern Ontario has a network of community clubs that complements the tourism service sector.
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 still need to go outside. And the options for aerobic exercise during the winter are a slippery run along icy street or biking nowhere under the fluorescent lights of the gym, staring at an electronic monitor and trying to keep those darn earbuds in.
Cross country is a much better option. Science agrees—recent research says it 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. And, the workout is pleasurable.
The science part of it is that 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 then 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?
Let’s keep it simple—we want to get outside. To wax your skis more or less is one 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 tips to get started.
“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 after you figure out how much you want to spend, once you buy a cross country ski package it’s with you for a long time. Layers of clothing and a small daypack and you’re ready to go. So let’s get going!
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. 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 they volunteer their time to make for a “natural experience.” They will go out of their way to answer your queries.
Yes, the backcountry beckons and any provincial park or conservation authority area closed for the season provides those more natural skiing adventures and other options for winter camping. And, after being bitten by the winter activity bug, there are two examples for skiing and winter camping with your own gear or stay in a yurt. Two parks are open, Windy Lake Provincial Park, in conjunction with the Onaping Falls Ski Club and at Killarney Provincial Park.
Now in its 38th year, the Kapuskasing Chalet has been renovated. There are 25km of trails and 10km of snowshoe trails. Look under the Events tab for details. That breakfast sounds good! You can rent skis at the chalet and there are three warm up shacks, complete with wood stoves, tables, and benches.
Stay in the city, take your skis. The Laurentian Nordic Ski 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 allows access to the University Ski Trails, the Idlwylde Golf Club and the Nickel District Conservation Area Trails. These encompass approximately 18km of loops and extensions. Rentals are available (see the Directions tab for location).
Located just north of Smooth Rock Falls there are 18km of groomed trails and 3km of snow shoe trails. The Mattagami 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.
The trail system for the North Bay Nordic Ski Club is a series of concentric loops of approximately 50km. One of the highlights the club offers is 2.5km 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.
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 15km of forested trail set for both the classic and skating enthusiast. Rentals are available. See the availability of yurts within the park here.
Take your skis to the city “with the heart of gold.” The Porcupine Ski Runners has 30km of scenic and groomed trails, with 4km of night skiing under the lights. All trails are groomed for both classic and free-style skiing. For the avid hiker it has a fully signed snowshoe 5km trail system designed to challenge anyone from experienced to novice.
Located just west of Highway 11, north of Cobalt and south of Haileybury, the 26-year old Temiskaming Nordic Ski Club offers 20km 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.
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 23km of skate and classic trails. There is also a 3km trail for both classical and skating for night skiing. Rentals are available.
There are 12km of groomed trails within Kap-Kig-Iwan Provincial Park that borders the scenic Englehart River. Snowshoe trails are available.
The Kirkland Lake Ski Trails are located behind the Joe Mavrinac Community Complex. A map is available at the start of the trails or at the reception within the community complex. The ski trails are approximately 12km and are comprised 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 Wasi Cross Country Ski Club is a located about 20 minutes south of North Bay, Ontario—between Callander and Astorville on the Lake Nosbonsing Rd. They have 17km of ski trails and 7km of snowshoe trails meandering through a mix of hardwood and conifers dotted with wetlands, with plenty of deer signs.
Started in 1976, the Cochrane Cross Country Ski Club is located behind the curling club and features many trails with unique names, including the 2km loop ‘Squirrelly Cut’ and the 6km loop ‘Foxy Lady.’ Snowshoeing is available.
There are 23km 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 was founded in 1973 and has 25km of trails. Bring your dog out on the ‘Doggie Trail.’ Free sleighs for parents who want to bring along their younger children.
The Manitoulin Nordic Ski Club has 10km of trails. There is a ‘Cafe in the Woods’ event every two weeks featuring folk music. This North Channel club is located just off Highway 540, 14km west of Little Current, featuring hilly terrain and a beautiful chalet.
Located between Moonbeam and Rene Brunelle Provincial Park are 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 boreal forest.
The West Nipissing Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club shares their property with the Sturgeon Falls Rod and Gun Club. There are 13km of looped trails and 9km of snowshoe trails. There is a heated chalet and it operates five days a week (Wednesday to Sunday), from 10am – 3:30pm.
