The essentials

Bundle up, we're going cross-country skiing! Even though you'll be working up a sweat on the trails in Manitoba, dressing for the weather will still ensure you get the most of an outdoor outing. Here are a few essentials to consider when heading out for a short day on the trails.

All dressed up

Layers are a must when cross-country skiing, you may start out feeling chilly but as you start moving quicker you'll heat up quite quickly. A good base layer with long johns or tights are a good place to start. Your next layer is for insulation – polar fleece or wool will keep you nice and warm (jeans won’t!). The outer layer comes last and should be windproof and breathable so you’re protected from the elements without overheating or trapping in moisture. You may be tempted to bulk up even more with a large winter coat and ski pants but smooth movement is important for cross-country skiing and heavy clothing can be restrictive and often lead to overheating. The one exception for adding layers is on your feet. Wear just one good pair of wool sock. Contrary to popular belief, adding more won't keep you warmer. You should be able to wiggle your toes in your boots so they stay warm.

Heads, hands and neck are the next spots to keep warm. A good toque that covers your ears will keep your noggin cozy. A balaclava or neck warmer works better than a scarf which can easily fall off or get tangled and end up in the way. And keep your fingers together and toasty in a pair of mittens.

And finally, bring a friend! Don't head out on a ski trip alone, especially if the trail is new to you. Plus having someone to share the experience with always makes it better.

Now that you and your ski buddy are bundled up, you’re nearly ready to head out. But first…the skis of course!

Finding skis

There are a few places in Winnipeg that rent cross-country skis, boots and poles. Head out for a day on the trails with help from these stores:

Mountain Equipment Coop has friendly and knowledgable staff to help you gather everything you need for a ski day. They rent cross-country ski packages with boots, skis and poles included and if you've forgotten one of the essentials mentioned above, they also sell outdoor wear.

Woodcock Cycle Works specializes in biking in the summer and cross-country (or nordic) skiing in the winter. They have three different types of cross-country skis for rent so it's a great stop if you've already got a large knowledge of the sport.

Windsor Park Nordic Centre is both a rental location and a spot to learn to ski. They have limited rentals for off-site use but 70 pairs for rent if you want to ski on-site.

Other locations around the province sell skis, both new and used, so if you want to race full speed into cross-country skiing, there’s opportunity to find a pair of used boots and skis that can last years.

Now you’re ready to head out, but where should you go?

The trails await

There are over 100 cross country ski trails in Manitoba, we won’t list them all but here are a few good places to get you started:

Once you've got your footing, Birds Hill Provincial Park is a great place to start skiing without instruction. It's just 20 kilometres outside of Winnipeg meaning it's close to the rental locations and perfect for a short ski trip. It has five designated cross-country ski trails, totalling 38 kilometres, which are groomed regularly. The natural beauty of the park itself makes you feel as though you're much farther from the bustling city than you are and is quite peaceful on a quiet winter day.

If you're looking for a nice spot South of Winnipeg, stop at Burwalde Woods. Located between Morden and Winkler, the trail is great for young skiers and families. As with many public ski trails in the province, it's maintained by the local ski club and donation boxes at the trailheads help keep the trail clean and accessible to all skiers.

Falcon Ridge is a great place to go if you want to try cross-country skiing but also want to spend a weekend relaxing in the woods. Falcon Trails Resort has cabins for rent and easy access to 30 kilometres of cross-country ski trails that include flat straights on the frozen lake as well as more challenging areas with small climbs and descents.

For the more adventurous

While Manitoba is definitely a prairie province, we've also got dips and dives in the central and southwest regions of the province that offer a bit more of a challenging trek for cross-country skiers.

On the other side of the province, the Turtle Mountain Loppet offers another opportunity for skiers to compete as they race through the woodsy beauty along the southern border of the province.

The most recent addition to the ski race scene in Manitoba is the Floppet Loppet Ski Race in Falcon Lake. This race embarks into its third year in 2020 with four available race distances from an easy breezy 1.7 kilometres for "minnows" to the most challenging 35 kilometres for "northern pikes". Along the trail participants can stop at fun check points and then wind down at the banquet and concert at the nearby Falcon Ridge Slopes' chalet in the evening.

Something a little different

An added challenge jumps into the snow with skijoring. Derived from the Norwegian word for “ski-driving” it’s essentially dog sledding except you’re on skis instead of in a sled and there's usually just one or maybe two dogs pulling you along the trails. The key to a good skijoring run is having a well-trained dog, you don’t want your pup to go dashing off into the woods if they see a rabbit hopping off the path.

There are specific trails for skijoring in the province, most notably at Birds Hill Provincial Park. Snow Motion has training lessons for human and dog duos, meet up events and races for skijorers of all skill levels if you're interested in taking your cross-country skiing to another level.

The snow is here and the trails are groomed, so grab your skis and get going!