ONTARIO
Home to the world’s longest network of recreational trails and a favorite riding destination for the folks at American Snowmobiler, Ontario has more than 30,000 miles of well-groomed, interconnected trails with low congestion. AmSnow Editor Mark Boncher even got married here in Sault Ste. Marie!
There aren’t many riding destinations more stunning than Ontario, where you’ll experience canyons, forests, lakes, old logging roads, wildlife and more – possibly all in a day’s ride!
The Algoma region near White River and Wawa in Northern Ontario is truly an AmSnow favorite. It offers a variety of riding conditions on more than 500 miles of wide-open trails, along with a small northern town atmosphere. Due to many miles of Lake Superior shoreline, the lake-effect snow is legendary! The AmSnow staff ride here regularly, and plan to keep coming back.
The Cochran/Timmins area is a great way to spend a weekend or more and there is investment going into the northern areas of Ontario that will continue to make these trails better. Make sure you stock up at rest spots, because they are few and far between here. With the most lodging options and eateries in the area, Timmins welcomes snowmobilers warmly, as does the smaller Cochran. AmSnow readers often name this area as one of their favorites.
Closer to population centers like Toronto, you can still find great snowmobiling as well. Check out the Barrie area or go a little farther north to Bracebridge and you might run into a few long-time AmSnow contributors like Bob Island on the trails. Numerous folks from Yamaha’s snowmobile division headquarters in Toronto ride these areas as well.
Helpful Sites
• Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs: www.ofsc.on.ca
• Travel Ontario: www.ontariotravel.net
• Lodging: Continental Motel & Dining Lounge, 217 Hwy 17, White River, Ontario, Canada, P0M 3G0, 807-822-2500 or 800-822-3616, www.continentalmotel.ca, The Wawa Motor Inn, 118 Mission Rd, Box 1190, Wawa, ON P0S 1K0, CA, 705-856-2278, www.wawamotorinn.ca, Water Tower Inn & Suites, 360 Great Northern Rd., Sault Ste. Marie, 888-461-7077, www.watertowerinn.com, Quattro Hotel & Conf. Centre, 229 Great Northern Rd, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 4Z2, Canada, 855-973-7216
MANITOBA
There are over 12,000 km (7,456 mi) of snowmobile trails in Manitoba, making it a fantastic place for locals and travelers to ride, and enjoy the winter playground in this province in the middle of the country. Contrary to popular belief, there ARE forests in Manitoba, but certainly also the wide-open prairieland and provincial parks. Whiteshell Provincial Park is one such area that is home to roughly 300 kilometers of trails.
Provincial parks, lakes, forests, warming huts and cozy resorts make Manitoba a destination for snowmobilers across North America. There is often less snowmobile traffic in this wintry wonderland as well, which is appealing to Americans making the drive. There are hotels, cabins, bed and breakfast locations and more. Winnepeg is the main hub in the province and home to several snowmobile specific companies including apparel maker FXR Racing.
The Pas area, Swan Valley, and Lac du Bonnet are all favorite locations for snowmobilers in this province, but there are too many good places to mention. There are also strong snowmobile clubs in these and many other areas of Manitoba so reaching out to the local clubs before you travel is encouraged.
Helpful Sites
• Snoman: www.snoman.mb.ca
• Travel Manitoba: www.travelmanitoba.com
• Lodging: Visit www.travelmanitoba.com for an array of lodging opportunities.
SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan is another “middle province,” but here temps of 5 F greet riders on average. Like we’ve mentioned before when we’ve talked about Saskatchwan, bundle up! This can be a great place to ride though!
More than 3,000 miles of groomed, marked trails are ready and waiting for you. Experience views and scenery you can only find via snowmobile. There are 92 clubs and 30,000 club members that volunteer their time to make sure your Saskatchewan snowmobile experience is one you’ll never forget.
Near the eastern border with Manitoba, north of Saskatoon and Regina - which are the two largest cities in Saskatchewan - is a good place to play. Regularly voted as one of the top snowmobile area destinations in Saskatchewan, if not all of Canada, there are more than 420 miles of groomed trails, along with hundreds of additional miles of ungroomed trails and logging roads to feed your inner explorer.
The western part of the province has plenty to offer snowmobilers as well. The Battlefords sit along the shores of the Northern Saskatchewan River. Here you’ll find 280 miles of marked trails winding through prairies, woodlands and lakes. The ride west along the river is beautiful, and all throughout Saskatchewan, you’ll find warming huts conveniently dotting the trails just as you need them!
Helpful Sites
• Saskatchewan Trails: www.sled-sask.com
• Saskatchewan Snowmobile Assn.: www.sasksnow.com
• Town of Hudson Bay: www.townofhudsonbay.com
• Lodging: Fir River Ranch, 52.52229N102.24621W, Hudson Bay, 306-865-3105, www.firriverranch.com