Cross-country is an excellent way to get some fresh air and exercise in the great outdoors. On groomed trails sheltered by thick forests, even the coldest day can become a memorable outing.

Enjoy the pristine winter scenery and visit places not accessible in summer. Glide effortlessly through silent forests, past cliffs and across frozen lakes. Be dazzled by the sun glittering off fields of snow. Listen to the rhythmic swish of the skis. Test your skills and endurance by zipping downhill or finishing a steep climb. For a new experience try a moonlight ski.

Where to Ski  Spruce Provincial Park has diverse terrain with excellent views. The park offers three different trail systems, the gentle Yellow Quill, the exciting Seton and the spectacular Épinette. Enjoy great forest runs and steep valleys. Marvel at the winter scenery, beautiful woods and open vistas. To stay overnight at Jackfish Cabin call 204-834-8800.  Ski under a canopy of trees at Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. Attractions in the park include the gently rolling hills and the excellent wildlife viewing. To stay overnight at James Lake Cabin call 204-534-2028.  In winter, Whiteshell Provincial Park is a great getaway offering close to ten different trail systems peppered across the park. At least half a dozen resorts provide a comfortable wilderness retreat, some with trails leading out from their doors. A few have the option of a hot tub.  Visit Camp Morton in the Interlake for easy trails with views of vast Lake Winnipeg.  Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park offers a sense of wilderness along the trails.  Provincial parks close to Winnipeg offer a rural ski experience that is rewarding and accessible for many.  Grand Beach Provincial Park has about 37 kilometres of exciting trails, half of which are intermediate. Choose from many exhilarating trails, some with warming shelters along the way.  Birds Hill Provincial Park is conveniently close for Winnipeggers and offers shorter, child-appropriate ski trails as well as longer routes.  Enjoy winter`s solitude in Duck Mountain Provincial Park on ski trails at Childs Lake and Wellman Lake.  In the northern regions, Paint Lake Provincial Park and Clearwater Lake Provincial Park both offer looped trails.

Skate Skiing Trails are available for skate skiing at Birds Hill (Spruce Trail & Group Use 1 Road), Spruce Woods (Yellow Quill & Seton), and Whiteshell (Foresters Footsteps & Falcon Trails Resort). Skate skiing is also welcome on the trails at Grand Beach.

Skijoring & Kicksledding and kicksledding is the perfect sport for the ski enthusiast with one or two dogs. The skier is outfitted with a belt, which hooks to quick-release line attached to a dog harness. The key to skijoring is having a well-trained dog.  Skijoring is welcome on the Spruce Trail and Group Use 1 Road at Birds Hill, the Yellow Quill trails at Spruce Woods and the Foresters Footsteps trail at Whiteshell.  Remember to always clean up after your pet.  To learn more about skijoring, contact the group Snow Motion – they`re a dog club based in Winnipeg for people who enjoy skijoring. Their website is www.snowmotion.ca.

Remember, dogs are NOT permitted on groomed ski trails except those designated for skijoring/kick sledding. Remember to always clean up after your pet.

For more information, visit the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba website at www.ccsam.ca.