Northern Ontario Snowmobiling—Cochrane

You can always count on snow and good riding in the north. With ideal staging grounds for 3 of Ontario's best snow tours, Cochrane is one of the best snowmobiling communities in the world!

More often than not when it comes to Ontario, the name on snowmobiler’s lips in early or late winter is Cochrane in OFSC District 15.

Located on Highway 11 and TOP Trail A in Ontario’s Wilderness Region, this thriving community of about 5,000 offers many hotels, restaurants, fast food places, and gas stations that are open in the winter and trail accessible. The Polar Bear Riders, the local snowmobile club, do a stellar job of grooming their trails, which connect directly to Quebec via TOP Trail A105Q.

Cochrane is a place where snowmobilers go to put on serious miles. One option is to ride the Northern Corridor (TOP Trail A) to Hearst and back. Another popular loop is TOP A103 north to the famous Abitibi Canyon, returning via Smooth Rock Falls and TOP Trail A. There are several other local loops including local trail L101 and L103 and larger loop via TOP A106C and TOP C to Timmins and back. L105 is a neat ride into Greenwater Provincial Park. Cochrane is also the hopping-off point for tours to Moosonee on James Bay. You can even rent a sled at Cochrane Snowmobile Rentals.

If you want Northern Ontario riding at its best, Cochrane should be at the top of your list — and if you take some time off from riding, be sure to visit the polar bears!

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About Craig Nicholson—The Intrepid Snowmobiler

Popularly known as The Intrepid Snowmobiler, Craig Nicholson is an International Snowmobile Hall of Fame journalist who specializes in recreational snowmobiling activities. Craig has snowmobiled in every region of Canada and many states. His one-of-a-kind tour book, “Canada’s Best Snowmobiling – The Ultimate Ride Guide”, chronicles his adventures, as does his website and Facebook page.

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