Tucked into the boreal forest on the shores of Falcon Lake and High Lake, Falcon Trails Resort is a family-owned getaway located within Treaty 3 territory. In winter, the resort also operates Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes, a popular spot for downhill skiing and snowboarding in southeastern Manitoba. What many travellers may not realize is that Falcon Trails is quietly becoming a must-visit destination for cross-country skiers due to a strong local ski community and their expertly maintained Nordic trail network.

Glide Through a Nordic Trail Network Built With Care

Falcon Trails Resort maintains more than 21 interconnected trail sections for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. Together, they create dozens of kilometres of routes that cross frozen lakes, follow the rugged contours of the Canadian Shield and wind through spruce and pine forests.

The network has earned a strong reputation in Manitoba’s Nordic ski community thanks in large part to Ryan Gemmel, known affectionately as “Ryan the Groomer”. Ryan leads the trail grooming team, sharing real-time updates and conditions that help skiers plan their day with confidence.

The options for cross country skiers range from approachable to challenging:

• Flatlanders Route (4.36 km): A beginner-friendly trail with gentle terrain and long flat sections that suit first-time skiers or anyone easing back into cross-country skiing.
• The High Lake Route (7.3 km): A medium-effort route that crosses frozen lakes with a shore view of the seasonal High Lake hike-in eco-cabins before disappearing back into the trees and onto rolling terrain as you loop back to the Nordic Welcome Centre.
• Perimeter Route (10.3 km): A longer loop with heart-racing elevation changes that deliver a solid workout and rewarding forest views.

Trail conditions are updated regularly on the Falcon Trails website and through the Nordic Pulse app, which provides grooming reports directly from the team as work is completed. You can even follow the groomer live as the team works on the trails. It is an easy way to choose a ski-ready route for the day.

Each winter, Falcon Trails also hosts The Floppet, a community-focused cross-country ski event that brings together skiers of all ages and experience levels. Inspired by classic loppets, a word which means a group of people who ski together, The Floppet is designed to be welcoming rather than competitive. Events like these are a highlight for Manitoba’s cross-country ski communities and a great way for visitors to experience the trails alongside locals who know them best.

Warm Up and Refuel at the Nordic Welcome Centre

After time outdoors, the Nordic Welcome Centre is a natural place to gather and warm up aprés-ski. Part coffee and gift shop, part Nordic sports hub, it offers both practical gear rentals and a relaxed space to unwind.

Owl Wing Coffee operates inside the centre and serves hot drinks, local craft beers, assorted snacks and baking, including gluten-free options. It’s also the place to rent cross-country skis, snowshoes or fat bikes if you prefer to travel light and rent equipment. Staff can help answer any questions about using their equipment and are also great sources for trail recommendations, which is particularly helpful for first-time skiers or folks who are new to the area.

Board games, books and DVDs are also available to help keep you entertained during your stay.

Settle Into Winter Hygge by the Lake

One of the quiet highlights of a stay at Falcon Trails Resort is the outdoor lakefront sauna. Set along the Falcon Lake shoreline, it offers a simple restorative experience that fits naturally into any winter adventure.

You heat the wood-fired sauna yourself, stoking the stove and pouring water over the rocks to create steam and increase the heat and humidity of the space. Once you've got the temperature up, create your own hot-cold thermal cycle experience by going outside for a short cool-down before returning to the heat of the sauna.

Firewood is provided and the sauna is included with an accommodation booking. Guests are encouraged to bring their own towel or use one from their cabin. It can take about thirty minutes to an hour for the sauna to reach full temperature.

Comfortable Cabins Designed for Winter Stays

Falcon Trails Resort offers ten winterized cabins, each accommodating up to five people, along with the Boreal Lodge, a spacious open-concept option suited for larger groups of up to eight.

All accommodations include:

• Indoor wood-burning fireplaces
• Private outdoor hot tubs
• Fully-equipped kitchens
• Bathrooms with modern fixtures

Check the Falcon Trails Resort website for a full list of amenities and photos of the different accommodation options.

After a day on the trails, returning to a warm cabin, lighting a fire and soaking in the hot tub outdoors becomes part of the ritual. It is a balance of activity and rest that feels particularly magical during winter in the Whiteshell.

A Place That Encourages You to Slow Down

No matter what you choose from skiing lake crossings, snowshoeing forest loops, fatbiking winter trails or warming up with coffee and conversation, Falcon Trails Resort offers a version of winter that encourages a slower, more attentive kind of experience in a quiet corner of one of Manitoba’s best provincial parks.

Tips to help plan your winter weekday getaway:

• Location: 100 Ridge Rd, Falcon Lake, Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba
  
• Stay: Falcon Trails Resort's cabins have varied minimum night stay requirements. Weekends fill up fast, so book in advance or opt for a weekday stay instead.
• Pet-friendly: There are eight dog-friendly cabins with a maximum of two dogs per cabin.
• Restaurants: Owl Wing Coffee is open daily year-round while Trails End Restaurant is open on the weekends when the slopes are operating.
• Activities: Winter hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fatbiking, board games at Owl Wing Coffee and downhill skiing and snowboarding at Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes (open Saturday and Sunday throughout the winter season).
• Rainbow Registered: Falcon Trails Resort is registered as 2SLGBTI+-friendly business, meaning they're committed to creating more inclusive spaces for visitors and staff.

What to bring:

• Cooking basics: Oil, spices, condiments, coffee/tea and any specialty cooking items you might need.
• Footwear: Warm boots and indoor shoes/slippers for the cabin and shoes/sandals for accessing the hot tub on the patio.
• Outdoor extras: Daypack, reusable water bottle and hand warmers to keep you comfortable while exploring the trails.
• Entertainment: Owl Wing Coffee stocks books, board games and DVDs to borrow during your stay.
• Pet supplies (for your furry friend): Food, bowls, leash and bedding.