Discover the Best Cross Country Skiing Ontario Has to Offer

If you’re looking for a place to get your Nordic on, Ontario has you covered. Whether you’re a hardcore racer, a backcountry type, head of a family of five, or a total newbie, you’ll find the best cross country skiing Ontario has to offer listed below.

There are lots of Ontario Parks, ski clubs and resorts that offer well-groomed cross country ski trails in Ontario. For a truly magical experience, why not try night cross country skiing in Ontario?

Find out the latest snow conditions on the cross country ski trails across Ontario and for Ontario Parks trails, distances and amenities, check out the Ontario Parks Ski Report.

Cross Country Ski Rentals in Ontario

If you want to get out on the trails but don’t have any equipment, it’s easy to find cross country ski rentals in Ontario. Typically, a cross country ski package, that includes classic skis, boots and poles, can be rented for between $20 and $30 per day (Adult) or around $15 per day (Junior 6 to 12 years). Many cross country ski locations have cross country ski rentals available on-site.

Ontario Parks Cross Country Skiing

There are 19 Ontario Parks that offer some of the best nordic skiing in Ontario. The cross country ski trails are well groomed for both classic and skate skiing. Many have lit trails for night cross country skiing plus warm-up shelters and/or cabins with wood fires and even hot chocolate to warm you up. Cross-country ski rentals are available at Arrowhead, Killarney, Pinery, Wasaga Beach and Windy Lake.

It’s easy to create amazing cross country ski getaways in Ontario Parks as many offer cozy overnight winter camping in heated yurts or cabins. Make sure you check out the Ontario Parks’ Ski Report before travelling.

Cross Country Ski Resorts in Ontario

Looking to explore some new Nordic ski trails in Ontario? Cross country ski getaways at Ontario’s Resorts make winter fun and are some of the best places to cross country ski in Ontario. Enjoy fabulous Nordic skiing on snowy trails in nearby Ontario Parks, at cross country centres or outside your door then cozy up in your lakeside room or cabin with a wood-burning fireplace.

Where to Cross Country Ski in Ontario

Northwest Ontario

Kamview Nordic Centre    
Featuring over 30 km of groomed trails, including 5.5 kms of well-lit trails for some of the best night cross country skiing in Ontario. Warm up in the cozy chalet and snack on delicious homemade soups, chilli and cookies. The season is packed with family-oriented events and programs. Ski rentals are available.

Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park    
13 km of spectacularly beautiful well-groomed cross country ski trails, adjacent to Kakabeka Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in Ontario. There is no chalet at this location.

Sleeping Giant Provincial Park    
Home to the famous Sleeping Giant Loppet, offers some of the best cross country skiing in Ontario. The Park features an easy to moderate picturesque 20 km loop for both classic and skate skiing as well as challenging trails; a 30 km wilderness loop or 18 km return trail to the Thunder Bay Lookout.

Lappe Ski Centre    
A winter paradise on the outskirts of Thunder Bay, Lappe Ski Centre offers 13.5 km of groomed trails with 6.5 km of lit trails for night skiing. Warm up in the cozy chalet and treat yourself to homemade soup and traditional Finnish pancakes. The Lappe Nordic Ski Club offers fabulous family-friendly and adult programs and events for all skill levels plus seasonal or daily rentals for events.

Minaki Yurt Adventures    
Nestled on the western edge of the province, 45 minutes north of Kenora, Minaki Yurt Adventures caters to the classic skier. Twenty km of regularly groomed trails wind their way past six yurts that can be rented for the night and offer varying levels of luxury. This is one of the most remote cross country ski getaways Ontario has to offer.

Algoma Country

Stokely Creek Lodge    
Locals swear that Stokely Creek Lodge has some of the best cross country skiing in Ontario. Located in the Algoma Highlands just north of Sault Ste. Marie, their classic, skate, and backcountry trails cover 160 km. Six warming huts flank trails to suit any skill level. Sauna-equipped accommodations with an all-inclusive meal option are available. It is known as one of the best all-inclusive cross country ski getaways in Ontario.

Hiawatha Highlands    
Just 15 minutes from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Hiawatha Highlands is home to more than 50 km of trails—2 km of which are lit until 10 pm. All trails are groomed for skating and classic skiing, with daily adult rates of $17. The welcoming Kinsmen Centre is open to all and has partnered with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie to offer great overnight and rental packages.

Northeastern Ontario

Kivi Park    
Sudbury’s largest park is a true gem of the north. The regularly groomed XC ski trails in Kivi Park roam over more than 140 hectares of Precambrian shield overlooking Long Lake. They’ve partnered with Adventure365 to provide a full fleet of rental skis. The warming chalet is equipped with vending machines, for which you’ll have plenty of coins since trail access is free. Find places to stay and eat here.

Windy Lake Provincial Park    
Forty minutes northwest of Sudbury, the Onaping Falls Nordics Ski Club has more than 15 km of groomed trails. Being nearly 400 metres above sea level, their season is often a couple of weeks longer than other clubs in the area. The cozy chalet offers snacks and rentals on weekends. Stay in an Ontario Parks yurt.

Temiskaming Nordic Ski Club    
At the impressive Temiskaming Nordic Ski Club, just north of Temagami, volunteer groomers take pride in creating 20 km of high-quality trails for track-set and skate skiing. Daily rates start at $15, and rentals and a fire-warmed chalet round out the offerings. Find places to stay and eat.

Cross Country Skiing in North Bay 
North Bay's ample XC skiing conditions mean that the city is ripe with skiing opportunities. The North Bay Nordic Ski Club is a family-friendly club with 50 km of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing. They offer youth and adult programming including lessons, night skiing, daily rates for visitors, a full stock of ski rentals and snowshoe rentals, winter hiking trails and a heated clubhouse. Wasi Ski Club, 20 km south of North Bay in Astorville, is a volunteer-run, member-supported club that maintains over 43 km of classically groomed trails as well as 8 km of snowshoe trails. Nipissing University also grooms 3.75 km of cross country ski trails for both classic and skate skiing that are free to use. Get more information and plan your trip here. 

Muskoka, Parry Sound, Algonquin & Almaguin

Georgian Nordic    
Ten minutes north of Parry Sound on Highway 124, Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre is a hub of local outdoor enthusiasts. Thirty km of groomed trails for both classic and skate skiing radiate from a heated chalet that’s home to a full slate of rental equipment. Full-day ski passes are $20 at the not-for-profit organization. Find places to stay and eat here.

Arrowhead Provincial Park    
With its newly built cross country ski chalet and well-groomed 22 km classic and 11 km skate skiing trails, Arrowhead Provincial Park is one of the best cross country ski destinations in Ontario. The Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club operates exceptional adult and children ski programs, hosts races and social events. Ski rentals are available at the Park.

Algonquin Provincial Park  
Algonquin Park has several networks of winter trails specifically designed for cross country skiing. Three trails are packed and well groomed on a regular basis and one is a wilderness ski trail. Algonquin Outfitters offers Nordic ski rentals for $29 per day/adult.

Bruce Grey Simcoe

Scenic Caves Nature Adventures    
Winding its way along the top of Blue Mountain near Collingwood, the Scenic Caves trail system offers incredible views of Georgian Bay throughout its 27 km of classic trails and skate-ski groomers. They have a full rental fleet of cross-country equipment and even pulks, in case you feel like dragging your little one along with you. Find places to stay and eat here.

Kolapore Wilderness Ski Trails    
Kolapore’s 50 kilometres of trails loop through some of the most beautiful terrain in the Collingwood area. These are backcountry trails; classic tracks are set by the first skiers out on the trail after a snowfall. Staying within the proper level of difficulty on the well-marked trails will be easy if you pick up a trail map at the Ravenna Country Market (you might also spring for some pastries, since trail access is free). Find places to stay and eat here.

Wasaga Beach Provincial Park  
The Wasaga Nordic Centre (formerly Blueberry Trails) offers 30 km of groomed trails, with something for every level of skier. The centre is part of Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and meets most day-skier needs with a chalet with a snack bar and rentals. Adult trail fees are $15 per day. Find places to stay and eat here.

Best Cross Country Skiing in Ontario

It’s easy to enjoy nordic skiing in Ontario. The only hard part is deciding on where to go as there are so many exceptional places to cross country ski in Ontario. Find a location near you.

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