Gliding Through Winter
Cross-Country Skiing Along the Winnipeg River
When winter settles in along the Winnipeg River, the landscape changes. The forests grow quieter, the river edges freeze over, and fresh snow transforms familiar places into something new. It’s a season that invites you to slow down — and one of the best ways to experience it is on cross-country skis.
Throughout the Winnipeg River Tourism Corridor, local ski clubs quietly get to work each winter, grooming trails and maintaining routes that wind through forests, past open spaces, and alongside the river itself. These trails connect more than just kilometres of snow — they connect communities, landscapes, and the shared love of winter.
Powerview–Pine Falls, Duck Lake Ski Club
Chalet, Duck Lake Ski Club
In Powerview–Pine Falls, the Duck Lake Ski Club offers a trail system that feels like a true winter escape — starting right at the edge of town and quickly carrying skiers into the quiet of nature. The 11kms of groomed trails glide through mixedwood forest, across open meadows, and into peaceful spruce bogs, where the only sounds are skis on snow and the wind moving through the trees. Midway along the route, the chalet provides the perfect place to stop and take a break, warm up, and enjoy the stillness before continuing on. With an outhouse located nearby, it’s a comfortable and convenient rest point that makes spending a full winter day on the trails easy and inviting.
Agassiz Provincial Forest, Lac du Bonnet Cross Country Ski Club
Further south, the trails maintained by the Lac du Bonnet Cross Country Ski Club wind through the Agassiz Provincial Forest, offering skiers a chance to experience rolling terrain, forested ridges, and quiet winter landscapes. With 16 kilometres of groomed trail, there’s plenty of room to explore, whether you’re heading out for a shorter ski or spending more time enjoying the outdoors. Clearly marked routes make it easy to navigate at your own pace, inviting skiers to slow down and take in the beauty of winter.
Trail Map, Seven Sisters Falls
Nestled north of Highway 307, between Whitemouth Falls Wayside Park and the Seven Sisters hydro dam, the Seven Sisters Falls trails offer a scenic escape for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. With three loop options—a short 3K, a medium, and a long 7K—you can choose the distance that fits your pace. The trail is fairly easy, yet delightfully varied, featuring fun hills perfect for a long, fast glide. Most of the route winds through lush bush, but it also passes the Seven Sisters hydro dam, where the Whitemouth River meets the Winnipeg River, offering picturesque open-water views. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, including white-tailed deer, rabbits, and majestic bald eagles. Thanks to meticulous grooming, the trails are always in top shape, especially after fresh snowfall. A perfect blend of adventure, nature, and tranquility awaits at Seven Sisters Falls.
For trail updates or to donate you can email: ssfcommunitycentre@gmail.com or check out the Seven Sisters Falls page on CCSAM.
Pinawa, Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club- Photo by Derrick Owen
In Pinawa, the Whiteshell Cross Country Ski Club maintains over 40 kilometres of groomed ski trails, reflecting the community’s strong connection to the outdoors. The trail network is remarkably varied, weaving through upland boreal forest, wetlands, granite outcrops, and even the local golf course. Skiers can choose between gently rolling terrain or more technically challenging routes: the Golf Course Trails offer rolling loops with a few optional steep hills, while the forest trails feature numerous climbs of up to 20 metres in elevation, along with downhills that include curves and sharp turns. Together, these trails offer everything from relaxed gliding to thrilling, skill-testing descents. It’s easy to spend a full winter day here — skiing in the morning, exploring town paths or river views in the afternoon, and ending with the satisfying feeling of having truly experienced the season.
Cross-country skiing along the Winnipeg River isn’t about rushing from one place to the next. It’s about fresh tracks after a snowfall, quiet forests, and the simple rhythm of moving through winter at your own pace. Whether you’re visiting one trail system or exploring several communities along the corridor, these ski destinations offer a chance to see the Winnipeg River region in its most peaceful and memorable season.
Before heading out, be sure to check local trail conditions, confirm whether an online or in-person waiver or sign-in is required with the local ski club, and consider supporting the volunteer-run ski clubs that make these winter experiences possible by making a donation or joining the ski club.