Winnipeg skiing guide
While Winnipeg can't promise much in the way of elevation, we can sure elevate your cross-country skiing experience!
Whether you’re a seasoned skier, or eager to learn about the latest winter craze, you’ll find a spot within city parks, birch-filled forests or along Winnipeg’s iconic river trail.
Plus, Winnipeg Trails Association has you covered with its Winterpeg website, featuring up-to-date maps showing what's groomed, current conditions, mobile ski libraries, wheelchair skates, by-donation rentals and more.
And should you be looking for downhill skiing spots, we have those in our Sliding Guide, along with all the info on our local hill, Spring Hill Winter Sports Park, at the bottom.
Crescent Drive Park
Ski between the endless rows of trees at Crescent Drive Park on this inviting 2km loop. Warm up at one of the many nearby fire pits after you’ve completed a few laps.
FortWhyte Alive
FortWhyte Alive’s groomed ski trail covers over 6km worth of ground, all surrounded by aspen forest featuring deer and numerous bird species. Once you’ve completed the trail, switch over to snowshoes, or try your hand at ice fishing on the nearby lake.
FortWhyte Alive is open to skiers right at 9 a.m., with trail admissions ending at 4 p.m. (an hour before FWA closes), unless otherwise stipulated.
Kildonan Park Trail
The once-green grasses of the Kildonan Park Golf Course have since been transformed into a ski trail nearly 9 km long! These flat and level tracks are great for beginners and long enough for seasoned skiers to slide along too. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
La Barriere Park
Once you’ve masted the art of skiing, why not involve a furry friend? La Barriere Park is one of the few places in Manitoba offering trails for skijoring and kick sledding with a dog! You can learn more about this activity through the winter club Snow Motion.
Of course, you can still enjoy this spacious park dog-less, as you’ll find a 2km ski trail starting at the parking lot. This trail runs over a now-rare tallgrass prairie ecosystem (which is currently hidden underneath the snow) running beside an aspen forest that is home to wildlife like deer, fox, jackrabbits and owls.
Nestaweya River Trail presented by The Winnipeg Foundation
While famed for its skating, Winnipeg’s celebrated River Trail also flaunts a pretty sweet cross country ski trail on the Assiniboine River. On it, you'll slide in tandem with walkers and skaters past many of the city's top sites. At night, this scene is particularly brilliant as the surrounding tall apartment buildings look magical as you look up from the ice.
St. Vital Park Trail
Located on the east bank of the Red River, this park is a winter paradise filled with cross-country ski trails, a massive duck pond for skating, outdoor fire pits and an award-winning toboggan slide. You’ll likely see it all, as the 4.62 km ski trail wraps around the outskirts of the park.
Wildwood Community Centre
Groomed for both classic and skate skiing, these trails in Fort Garry are frequently cleared and feature an additional walking trail to ensure social distancing while you glide. The trails pass through the Wildewood Golf Course, Wildwood Community Centre grounds and St. John’s Ravenscourt field.
Windsor Park Nordic Centre
This historic centre in the middle of the city is great for classic cross-country skiing and skate skiing too. Offering over 15 km of ski trails that are groomed daily and full of dips and dives, you can enjoy this space both day and night as the entire centre is lit up until 10 p.m. on week nights making it a great place for an after-work workout.
Non-members can purchase a trail pass ahead of time on their website.
*******
Don’t own skis?
If you’re looking to rent, check out the Icicle Garden inside Plain Bicycle at The Forks where you can rent skis, skates, kicksleds and snowshoes all for a donation; or visit Woodcock Cycle where you can rent gear for either one day or the whole week!
Note: ski trail conditions may vary as weather changes.
********
Spring Hill Winter Sports Park
Located just a short drive from Winnipeg on Highway 59 North, Spring Hill Winter Sports Park features 10 ski runs, a quad chairlift, two tow ropes and a tube park. Its terrain park offers something for all levels and abilities with several jumps, multiple tabletops, rails and boxes, while the facility also features a half pipe, race run, mogul run, and a learning fun zone slow area. Certified instructors are also on hand.
Spring Hill also boasts a 3,500 sq. ft customer service clubhouse and rental shop with a fully operational kitchen and sports bar.
