Algonquin Provincial Park is one of Ontario’s most popular parks, and it is a winter wonderland, especially when it gets its first snowfall. Every year, Ontarians flock to the region to embrace not only the outdoors but the adventures the winter season brings. This year, the park is preparing its winter experiences and launching a new one for skiers to enjoy. The Airfield Ski Trail is sure to win you over – here’s what to know.

The park is home to over 100 kilometres of hiking trails that guide you past unique and abandoned vistas. In the winter, it maintains 72 km of groomed ski trails for all skill levels.

Where is Algonquin Provincial Park?

Located about three and a half hours northeast of Toronto is Algonquin Provincial Park, one of the most notable parks in the province.

Known for its camping, fishing, boating, canoeing and wildlife spotting opportunities in the summer, Algonquin is a must-visit if you have not yet explored it – even in the winter.

If you ever needed an excuse to visit, here’s one.

Airfield Ski Trail

The best way to explore and go deep into Algonquin winter woods is by skiing. Many of the park’s ski trails feature warm-up cabins with a wood stove. This is a fabulous way to pause, relax and enjoy some warmth, fireside. “Both Fen and Leaf Lake Ski trails even offer warm-up cabins that can be rented overnight for a real wilderness skiing experience,” shares the park.

Clearly, there’s lots to explore, but if you’re making the trip, head along the Airfield Ski Trail.

The new addition is a 2.2 km loop that is groomed, trackset, and intended for novice skiers. It shouldn’t take you too long to complete, so if you’re looking for more adventures, Algonquin has three trail networks for cross-country skiing. According to Ontario Parks, these are:

  • Fen Lake Ski Trail – located at the West Gate of the park. It offers four loops of 1.25, 5.2, 11.4 and 13 km and offers both easy and more challenging sections. All trails are groomed, and track set, and a 6 km section also offers a lane for skate skiing.
  • Minnesing Trail – located on the north side of Highway 60, 23 km from the West Gate. It has four loops ranging in distance from 4.7 to 23.4 km. The trail is maintained for backcountry wilderness skiing and is not groomed.
  • Leaf Lake Ski Trail – located one km west of the East Gate.Offers a wide variety of trail selections ranging in length from 5 to 51 km and ranging from easy to very difficult. The system includes three loops that are groomed for skate skiing. All trails are groomed, and many are track set. The Leaf Lake Trail system provides some of the most beautiful vistas and exhilarating skiing available anywhere, according to OP.

And to add even more winter fun to your plate, Algonquin also offers Snowshoeing, Skating in the Mew Lake Campground, Dogsledding and Fatbiking.

Never a dull moment at Algonquin Park – especially if more keeps being added!

Algonquin Provincial Park

Where: Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario 60, Ont.

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Karen Doradea

Karen Doradea

Managing Editor, Toronto – Karen is a multimedia journalist based in Toronto. With a strong knowledge of reporting and editing through all forms of media, she has a true passion for storytelling. She carries several years of journalistic experience and has covered the Toronto scene from local stories to national news. When Karen isn’t publishing fire content, you can find her binge-watching sitcoms on Crave, at a must-try restaurant, or scrolling endlessly on TikTok looking for the next best thing – News never sleeps.

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