Environment and Climate Change

Several parks have shared use trails that can accommodate a variety of activities.  Typically these are wider, groomed trails that allow multiple users to travel side by side.  Activities welcomed on these trails include classic/skate skiing, walking/snowshoeing and fat biking.

Remember, never step on groomed ski tracks!  Keep all walking, snowshoeing, biking and dogs away from the set ski tracks.  If sinking more than one inch, wear snowshoes if walking or lower tire pressure if fat biking.

These trails are designated as shared use:

• Birds Hill: Lakeview
• Grand Beach: Wolf Ridge, Jack Pine, Boulder Hill
• Spruce Woods: Epinette, Yellow Quill, Seton
• Turtle Mountain: Adam Lake Trails
• Whiteshell: Foresters Footsteps, Pine Point

In addition to shared use trails, several trails are groomed for easy snowshoeing and winter walking.  Dogs are welcome on these trails, remember to always keep your dogs on leash and clean up after your pet.

Remember, never hike on groomed ski trails!

These trails are groomed solely for hiking or snowshoeing:

Beaudry: Oak Trail
Birds Hill: Cedar Bog, Prairie Winds, Bur Oak, Nimowin
Hecla/Grindstone: Cattail, Lighthouse
Paint Lake: Redman’s Sports Field
Spruce Woods: Marshs Lake, Parsons Hill
Turtle Mountain: Bower Lake, Wildlife-Moose Tower
Whiteshell - Jessica Loop B, Rainbow Falls, Pine Point,

Additionally, backcountry snowshoeing is permitted on any trail that is not already groomed for skiing or snowmobiling.  Consider the better part of a park's backcountry yours to explore.  Keep a watchful eye as you tramp through the woods - you may be lucky enough to see a moose, white-tailed deer, rabbit or Ruffed Grouse.

Cross-country skiing is an excellent way to get some fresh air and exercise in the great outdoors. On groomed trails sheltered by thick forests, even the coldest day can become a memorable outing. Enjoy the pristine winter scenery and visit places not accessible in summer. Glide effortlessly through silent forests, past cliffs and across frozen lakes. Be dazzled by the sun glittering off fields of snow. Listen to the rhythmic swish of the skis. Test your skills and endurance by zipping downhill or finishing a steep climb. For a new experience try a moonlight ski.

Where to Ski:
Spruce Woods Provincial Park has diverse terrain with excellent views. The park offers three different trail systems, the gentle Yellow Quill, the exciting Seton and the spectacular Epinette. Enjoy great forest runs and steep valleys. Marvel at the winter scenery, beautiful woods and open vistas. To stay overnight at the rustic Jackfish Cabin contact the Visitor Centre at 204-827-8850 or the Carberry park district office at 204-834-8800.

Ski under a canopy of trees at Turtle Mountain Provincial Park. Attractions in the park include the gently rolling hills and the excellent wildlife viewing. To stay overnight at the rustic James Lake Cabin, call the Boissevain park district office at 204-534-2028.  Join the Turtle Mountain Nordic Ski Club for group programs and events.

In winter, Whiteshell Provincial Park is a great getaway offering close to ten different trail systems peppered across the park. At least half a dozen resorts provide a comfortable wilderness retreat, some with trails leading out from their doors. A few have the option of a hot tub. Explore a network of ski trails at the Falcon Ridge Ski Resort.

Visit Camp Morton in the Interlake for easy trails with views of vast Lake Winnipeg, groomed by the Gimli Ski Club, or Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park for a sense of wilderness along the trails.

Provincial parks close to Winnipeg offer a rural ski experience that is rewarding and accessible for many. Grand Beach Provincial Park has about 37 kilometres of exciting trails, half of which are intermediate. Choose from many exhilarating trails, some with warming shelters along the way. Birds Hill Provincial Park is conveniently close for Winnipeggers and offers shorter, child-appropriate ski trails as well as longer routes. To the south, St. Malo Provincial Park offers multiple family friendly loops groomed by the St Malo Ski Club.

Enjoy winter’s solitude in Duck Mountain Provincial Park on ski trails at Childs Lake and Wellman Lake. In the northern regions, Paint Lake Provincial Park and Clearwater Lake Provincial Park both offer looped trails.

Skate Ski Trails are available at Birds Hill (Spruce Trail & Group Use 1 Road), Hecla, Spruce Woods (Yellow Quill & Seton), Turtle Mountain, Whiteshell (Foresters Footsteps & Falcon Trails Resort).  Skate skiing is also welcome on the trails at Grand Beach.

Skijoring & Kicksledding is the perfect sport for the ski enthusiast with one or two dogs. The skier is outfitted with a belt, which hooks to quick-release line attached to a dog harness. The key to skijoring is having a well-trained dog.

Skijoring is welcome on the Spruce Trail and Group Use 1 Road at Birds Hill, the Yellow Quill trails at Spruce Woods and the Foresters Footsteps trail at Whiteshell.

For those looking for Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding experiences, visit the Asessippi Ski Resort in Asessippi Provincial Park, or the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes in Whiteshell Provincial Park.

There is nothing more exhilarating (or more Canadian) then sliding down a hill on a toboggan or crazy carpet.  Large hills are packed for tobogganing at Paint Lake, Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain and are equipped with warm-up shelters.

These hills are unsupervised.  You are tobogganing at your own risk. Parental supervision recommended.

Outdoor skating opportunities are available at the Winter Recreation Areas in Paint Lake, Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain. Each offers a hockey rink and a separate skating oval, in addition to the toboggan hills. Both have warm up shelters and are lighted for evening use. 

Ice fishing is a popular winter activity throughout Manitoba. Most of the fish sought during the summer such as Walleye, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and Northern Pike are still waiting to be caught beneath the winter's ice cap. Remember that a fishing license is required- check the Angler's Guide for details and regulations.

Caution!  Ice conditions can change daily. The marking of a trail on a map does not suggest that ice travel or crossings are safe.  Always ask local residents and visit the local park district office for information on present ice conditions before venturing out on any river or lake.

Fishing shelters may be placed on lakes in provincial parks, however they must meet these guidelines.

Winter cycling and fat biking is a growing sport across North America.  Fat bikes are a uniquely designed mountain bike with extra wide tires, making them perfect for travelling on snow. Manitoba Parks has several trail options and riding areas specifically for fat biking.

• Fat bikes have minimum 3.8-inch wide tires and tire pressure must be under 10 PSI or low enough not to leave ruts.

Fat bikes are welcome on the following trails:

Birds Hill: Oak Ridge, Lakeview
Grand Beach: Wolf Ridge, Jack Pine, Boulder Hill
Spruce Woods: Yellow Quill and Seton Trails
Turtle Mountain: Adam Lake Trails

Please yield to walkers and skiers, and do not ride on the ski tracks!

Please remember fat bikes and other cyclists are not permitted on any designated skiing-only or snowmobile trails.

Manitoba Parks offers the snowmobile enthusiast kilometre after kilometre of designated snowmobile trails where you can ride all day enjoying the cool, crisp days of winter.  All these trails offer prime snowmobiling through spectacular snowscapes, forests and lake country and are part of the extensive SNOMAN trail system, linking to communities across the province. 

Whiteshell Provincial Park offers almost 300 kilometres of trails in the striking terrain of the Canadian Shield.  Grand Beach and Hecla/ Grindstone Provincial Parks both offer extensive networks of trails in Manitoba's Interlake region.

In the western region, sled on one-way trails through the backcountry of Spruce Woods and Turtle Mountain - both parks offer riders unique prairie and woodland landscapes to explore.  With its steep terrain, lakes and remote setting, Duck Mountain Provincial Park is a great destination for sledding.

Travelling north, ride between Thompson and Paint Lake Provincial Park, or head to The Pas to ride the trails of  Clearwater Lake Provincial Park, linking to the incredible 144 kilometre trail to Flin Flon.

All snowmobile trails in provincial parks are a part of SNOMAN's Snofund Trail System; therefore, a valid Snopass is required.  These are available to purchase from Manitoba Public Insurance when you register your snowmobile.  For more information on snowmobile trails throughout Manitoba including those in our provincial parks, click Snoman's logo below to go to their website.