Cross-Country Skiing in Alberta/Prairies
Miles and miles of pristine trails
In Alberta, the magnificent backdrop of the Rocky Mountains offers incredible natural surroundings and some of the best-powdered snow in the world. Many of Alberta's Nordic ski areas are found in the Rockies along the western border with British Columbia close to downhill ski resorts.
Banff National Park offers 20 miles (33 km) of groomed trails in Banff's town. Nearby Lake Louise boasts 44 miles (71 km) of perfect trails. In Jasper National Park, Jasper Park Lodge and Athabasca Falls offer cross-country skiing areas and Maligne Road has a 27 miles (45 km) trail.
Alberta's Rocky Mountains also claim many wide-open alpine meadows for excellent backcountry skiing and more than a dozen backcountry huts and lodges are available for rent during the winter.
Hosting the XV Olympics blessed the Canmore Nordic Centre with 49 miles (80 km) of trail groomed for skate and classic cross-country skiing. A 1.5 mile (2.5 km) trail is lit for night skiing as well.
In nearby Kananaskis Country, south of Banff, there are over 186 miles (300 km) of high-quality groomed trails, including the 37-mile (60-km) Ribbon Creek system as well 46 miles (75 km) of trails in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Central Alberta also has plenty of places to ski. Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Park, east of Edmonton, grooms more than 49 miles (80 km) for skiing and skating and there are also some backcountry trails. Nearby, Elk Island National Park boasts 62 miles (100 km) of trails at various locations throughout the park, some of which are groomed.
Saskatchewan has hundreds of miles of groomed and marked trails for cross-country skiing in parks and forests, across prairie and rolling hills, and in cities. From beginner to expert, there's something for everyone, and some trails are lit for night skiing.
Most of Saskatchewan's cross-country ski areas are operated by park departments, including the Province's largest concentration of groomed trails (93 miles / 150 km), throughout Prince Albert National Park which also offers winter camping.
In Southern Saskatchewan, Cypress Hill's Interprovincial Park has a 14 miles (24-km) trail network. Other good choices here include Moose Mountain and Echo Valley Provincial Park and the Esterhazy Cross Country Club Trail.
Whitetail Resort, host to the 1999 World Cup in cross-country skiing, has 24 miles (40 km) of trails over 2,400 acres (971 hectares) of rolling hills and wooded areas. It includes 12 miles (20 km) of skate trails at the Blue Mountain Outdoor Adventure Centre
In picturesque Echo Valley Provincial Park, Qu'Appelle Valley has short trails for novice and expert skiers on the south side of Pasqua Lake. Buffalo Pound Provincial Park offers day skiing and a chalet.
Excellent cross-country skiing in Central Saskatchewan can be found at the Provincial Parks of Duck Mountain (36 miles / 58 km), Good Spirit Lake and Blackstrap, as well as on the Saskatoon Municipal Trail System, while the northern part of the Province boasts 37 miles (61 km) of groomed trails at Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.
Manitoba is home to a 782 miles (1260-km) section of the Trans-Canada Trail which provides excellent cross country skiing under endless blue skies in the winter wilderness.
More than 50 destinations in Manitoba track miles of cross country and skate skiing. In Winnipeg, you can ski the trails at night at Windsor Park Nordic Centre and Sandilands Provincial Forest; who offer a whopping 29 miles (48 km) of ski trails. The snow comes early and stays late, on the extensive and challenging 25-mile (41-km) trail network, at Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
Whiteshell Provincial Park tempts with ten different trail systems and more than 37 miles (60 km) of groomed trails. The 7.4 mile (12-km) South Whiteshell trail is open to skiers from Falcon Lake to West Hawk. Falcon Ridge Trails offer 9.3 miles (15 km) of groomed classic and skate cross country skiing linking the South Whiteshell Trail and the 6.2-mile (10-km) West Hawk Trail.
When snow covers a top sand beach in North America the skiing begins. Grand Beach Provincial Park offers incredible views of frozen Lake Winnipeg. Most of the park's 24 miles (40 km) of trail is intermediate, but skiing experts will love the Squirrel Trail descents.
Riding Mountain National Park, home to Manitoba's most extensive trail system has 186 miles (300 km) of designated trails on an oasis of protected escarpment. Known for generous snow cover, varied terrain and abundant wildlife the region offers some of the best skiing in Manitoba.
The Assiniboine Valley area is a great destination for cross country skiing. Spruce Woods Provincial Park offers three different trail systems, covering 31 miles (51 km), and some great views across the broad valley.
In Northern Manitoba, Flin Flon is surrounded by more than 31 (50 km) of nicely groomed classic and skating cross country trails. Thompson's Mystery Mountain has more than 12 miles (20 km) of classic skiing and skate trails.
