Best ski adventure destinations

Cross-country ski across blanketed meadows, downhill ski in the Canadian Rockies, or explore the backcountry on a ski touring expedition! Discover Parks Canada with these suggested ski outings.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Location: Gros Morne National Park

Backcountry ski touring

Head out on the ski touring adventure of a lifetime! With its stunning coastal mountains, varied terrain, and reliable snow conditions from January to April, Gros Morne National Park is the place to be this ski-season. From short roadside excursions to a multi-day tour complete with overnight stays in backcountry ski huts, the winter fun is endless.

New Brunswick

Location: Fundy National Park

Cross-country skiing

20-km of multi-use winter trails await at Fundy National Park! This ski-touring playground is perfect for all ski-levels with selections of short, flat trails or more challenging trails through Fundy’s snow-covered wilderness. End your day of winter fun at the Ski Shelter in the Chignecto Recreation Area, and take advantage of their wood stove equipped with firewood, perfect for some post-ski s’mores!

Location: Kouchibouguac National Park

Cross-country skiing

Head to Kouchibouguac National Park for the ultimate cross-country escapade! These pristine trails are groomed for both classic and skating techniques and welcome skiers of all experience. Ski adventures await in this frosty Atlantic beauty.

Quebec

Location: Forillon National Park

Cross-country skiing

Explore the vibrant Forillon National Park as you choose from three stunning ski trails! Treat yourself to a moderate-level cross country trip along the flat terrain of La Vallée trail and take a break halfway through your excursion in the picturesque Répit Nord shelter. Not ready to pack up your skis yet? Continue the fun as you venture through a beautiful wooded area on Le Portage Trail. Are you an experienced skier and crave a challenge? Discover La Grande Cavée Trail, a steep route boarded by white pines and impressive oaks leading you into the heart of the park. Be careful, some bends may surprise you!

Location: La Mauricie National Park

Cross-country and freestyle skiing

Discover one of the most beautiful cross-country ski centers in Quebec with a visit to La Mauricie National Park. Begin your journey at the Rivière à la Pêche Service Centre and start exploring over 80-km of groomed trails equipped with shelters, perfect for classic or freestyle cross-country skiers alike. For a short and sweet ski session, head to Trail No. 3, a 10-km journey with shelter halfway that takes you along a quaint creek and frozen lake. Make sure to stop at the well-equipped Service Center for a post-ski bonfire or even better, continue the adventure for a night in the comfort of an oTENTik tent located close to the ski trails.

Location: Chambly Canal National Historic Site

Cross-country skiing

Ski on the banks of the Chambly Canal National Historic Site. Breath in that crisp winter air and rediscover this popular path with a fresh eye. Located just 30 km from Montréal, explore this canal that stretches nearly 20 kilometers in the heart of the Montérégie area.

Manitoba

Location: Riding Mountain National Park

Cross-country skiing

Strap on your skis and get ready for a cross-country trip in Riding Mountain National Park! Are you a beginner? Try skiing along South Lake Trail: a journey that begins at the Ominnik Marsh boardwalk, taking you through mixed boreal forest and looping around the stunning Clear Lake shore. Are you a more experienced skier? Ski the Compound Trail! This adventure brings you along towering white and black spruce, wetlands with sunny southern skies and even small pockets of grasslands. Keep an eye out for elk beds and wolf tracks! Not ready for your adventure to end? Top off your outing with the 3.5-km Katherine Lake Trail and stop in the picnic area to warm up by a fire.

Saskatchewan

Location: Prince Albert National Park

Cross-country skiing

Canada's boreal forests are the best playgrounds for cross-country skiers. Discover the network of groomed ski trails in Prince Albert National Park, just waiting for you to explore! Don't miss the popular favourites near the Waskesiu townsite: Red Deer and Fisher Trail! To extend your adventure, tour Saskatchewan’s backcountry and ski to Crean Lake, a frozen winter wonderland!

Alberta

Location: Elk Island National Park

Cross-country skiing

Head into the wilderness and glide along the snow-covered landscape of the Beaver Pond Trail at Elk Island National Park. Glide through frosty aspen parklands and let the crisp air brush your rosy cheeks. Perfect for snowshoers and skiers alike, these shared, ungroomed trails are bound to leave you with memories to last a lifetime!

Location: Waterton Lakes National Park

Cross-country skiing

Discover breathtaking mountain scenery on your skis at Waterton Lakes National Park! Glide through evergreen forests, wind-swept prairies, and steep mountains as you ski along the Red Rock Parkway, Chief Mountain Highway, Akamina Parkway or Wishbone Trail. Unforgettable winter experiences await in the Canadian Rockies.

Location: Banff National Park

Downhill and cross-country skiing

Banff National Park is iconic for its variety of skiing experiences! Pay a visit to one of the three world class downhill ski resorts and descend by drawing perfect fall lines in the fresh snow. You are fond of cross-country skiing? Discover a local cross-country favourite; Spray River West Trail! This double track also includes a skate skiing lane, ventures along rolling terrain and offers stunning views of a picturesque valley, taking you to the scenic Spray River Bridge!

Location: Jasper National Park

Downhill and cross-country skiing

Explore the Canadian Rockies via cross-country skis in Jasper National Park. Discover Athabasca Falls from the Leach Lake Trailhead, then strap on your skis for an 8.2-km adventure that will reward you with stunning views of Mount Hardisty and Mount Kerkeslin. Seeking a more exhilarating outing? Treat yourself to a day of downhill skiing at Marmot Basin, one of the resorts in the Rockies!

British Columbia

Location: Yoho National Park

Cross-country skiing

Ski among the Rockies and weave through the valleys of Yoho National Park! Explore the beautiful cross country ski trails around Emerald Lake maintained by the Kicking Horse Ski Club. Keep an eye out for the chance to spot wildlife as you traverse gently sloped tree-lined glades sheltered between the President Range and Wapta Mountain.

Northwest Territories

Location: Wood Buffalo National Park

Cross-country skiing

Bird song lights up the boreal forest as snow falls softly around you, skis are strapped to your feet, and you’re cruising through the fresh powder on Pine Lake in Wood Buffalo National Park. It’s one of the best spots in the park to revel in the raw beauty of winter! On your way back to Fort Smith, stop at the Salt River Day Use Area. This new shelter is an excellent pit stop for a snack with a view— take in the stunning scenery of the Salt River as it winds through the park’s boreal forest.

Yukon

Location: Kluane National Park

Backcountry ski touring

Discover Kluane National Park and Reserve’s vast wilderness! For an easy ski, head to the Dezadeash River Trail and ski through stands of poplar and spruce. Ready for a challenge? Explore the Auriol Trail for a hint of adventure and glide through everything from open meadows to alpine zones! This 15-km loop offers remarkable views of the Shakwak and Dezadeash River Valleys. Make sure you have the knowledge and skills in order to practice proper avalanche safety. Practice safe behavior at all times and keep in mind that the trails in Kluane are neither groomed nor marked!