Source
r/xcountryskiing•
dsswill

SE Ontario/Belleville XC skiing question!

Hey guys,

I know some of the people in this sub are from SE Ontario, Canada, as I've seen posts from Gatineau, Frontenac, Algonquin etc. I'm from Ottawa and so am used to the great and easy to access trails and conditions of Gatineau.

However, I've just moved to Belleville. I know the weather in Belleville isn't as favourable for skiing being so close to the lake, particularly the pack required for skate, but am curious if there are any groomed trails for either classic or skate (preferrably) in or around the city or even a bit of a drive away at least somewhat close to Quinte? I'm struggling to find any info online which I have a feeling is far from a good sign.

Any info is seriously appreciated!

Posted Sep 14, 2021, 2:40 PM UTC

1419
[deleted]•

I'm in Etobicoke, and ski north of Orillia, and around Collingwood. I'd think your best luck is straight north from where you are. Provincial parks, like Bon Echo, Frontenac. I'll see if I can find some links...

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[deleted]•

https://ontarioskitrails.com/snow-conditions/

https://www.ontarioparks.com/skireport

https://www.ontarioparks.com/winter/activities/skiing

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dsswillOPSkate & SkiMo•

Awesome you're a legend, I really appreciate you taking the time!

5
freshairottawa•

We tend to serve a lot of customers from Kingston, and over the last 5 years I have heard a lot of complaints about the inconsistent snow cover near the lake. I think that your closest bet for consistent snow and good grooming is probably Kawartha Nordic, but even that is a ways away. Great skiing, and worth a day trip, but not as convenient as the Ottawa area. If there is a local ski shop you could call and ask them too.

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[deleted]•

freshairottawa's online shop rocks, btw.

https://www.freshairexp.com/

I'm assuming there's a connection...

The store is also one of the places to get Nordic ice skates (for lakes) in Canada. I made a post of sources, last year:

https://www.reddit.com/r/nordicskating/comments/ll6tzb/nordic_skate_sources_in_canada/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share

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freshairottawa•

Yep one and the same. We don't have skis turned on yet but will in the coming weeks as inventory starts to arrive.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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dsswillOPSkate & SkiMo•

Awesome I appreciate the info! I'm brand new to the area so haven't been in touch with any shops yet but I certainly will be.

4
lingodayz•

I'm down in PEC and we had some great snowfalls last year. I'm hoping for the same this year. Sandbanks groomed their trails in 2020 but not 2021 (or at least I didn't see any tracks when I visited).

I traveled out to Frontenac last Jan. and they had great conditions there, albeit a few degrees colder than PEC which I didn't expect.

I haven't explored Northumberland county much but I imagine there is a collection of trails given the rolling hills it has. I'd be curious what you find if anything.

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dsswillOPSkate & SkiMo•

Great, thanks! I'll keep you updated if I find any gems

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mild_somniphobia•

It's worth asking the park superintendent, both at Sandbanks and Presquile, about whether they would consider offering groomed trails in the winter.

3
mild_somniphobia•

Hour and a half to Brockville: http://triangleskiclub.org/Site/Home.html; same for https://kawarthanordic.ca.

Two hours to Tay Valley/Murphys Point: https://tayvalleyskiclub.com ?

I would email your local council and also the conservation areas asking them to start grooming at places like https://www.quinteconservation.ca/en/outdoor-spaces/hr-frink-conservation-area-and-outdoor-education-centre.aspx In Ottawa, volunteers are now grooming nearly 50k worth of urban trails with permission (and some funding) from the NCC and City. See: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/blog/winter-trail-building-in-the-capital

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Dog_is_my_copilot•

Lived in PEC for 8 years. Skied lots at Kawartha Nordic. Nice trails with a jackrabbit program for the kids. Even some nice warming cabins. Was a bit of a drive but worth it for a day. Even did a couple over nights at local cabins.

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[deleted]•

Need more detail on the overnight cabins. Rental, drive-to, right? Ontario needs a hut-to-hut Nordic trail. Québec has several.

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lingodayz•

Could you point me in the direction of some of the hut-to-hut offerings Quebec has? I'm very curious about that

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[deleted]•

Charlevoix Traverse - private enterprise?

Les Chic Chocs - provincial park

Not sure if Gatineau has - provincial park

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Dog_is_my_copilot•

Yes rental and drive to. Cottage style rental, one on Stoney lake, pine something. No ski in over night there but I think there is at one of the provincial parks near by. Yearts I think.

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JAK_36•

It might be a tad far for you as its an hour away but I have had success skiing in Little Catraraqui Creek Conservation Park in the past. There are 13km of groomed trails which I thought were decently maintained. And the folks on the trails are always super friendly. There is a $5 fee every time but I believe you can buy a season pass as well.

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dsswillOPSkate & SkiMo•

Honestly I'll take an hour drive to get in a ski once a week!

Thank you so much, this is super useful, and one I hadn't heard of yet!

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JAK_36•

Oh, I'm so happy that this was useful! It might also be worth asking the folks over at the Trailhead shop in Kington for other recommendations in the area, I always found them to be pretty friendly and they may know of other ski trails nearby too.

I loved skiing here when I lived in Kingston, the conservation area is very pretty, regardless of the season. And the nice thing is you can make a day of it, ski for a few hours and then pop into one of the nice cafes or restaurants in town afterwards if thats your sort of thing. Hope you end up liking these ski trails. :)

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