Hit the Trails: Places to cross-country ski in York Region

Find groomed and ungroomed trails in Georgina, King, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 7, 2021
Amanda Persico and Adam Martin-Robbins

Cross-country skiing is excellent exercise and a wonderful way to explore York Region's green spaces in winter. Here are five places worth checking out.

Cold Creek Conservation Area

Location: 14125 11th Concession, Nobleton, King Township

There are close to 7 km of trails with three designated for cross country skiers ranging in skill from beginner to expert. Trails are groomed once 15 cm of snow has fallen.

Pre-registration is required for equipment rentals. All buildings and washrooms remain closed.

Kortright Centre for Conservation

Location: 9550 Pine Valley Dr., Vaughan

This 325-hectacre, forested property has more than 16 kilometres of ungroomed trails some of which are suitable for cross-country skiing.

To ensure physical distancing can be maintained, each visitor is required to pre-register. There are limited numbers of timed day-use tickets.

Oak Ridges Corridor Conservation Reserve

Location: 999 Bethesda Side Rd., Richmond Hill

A 175-hectare swath of green space in Richmond Hill is home to 15 km of trails, some of which can be skied on. You’ll see wetlands, kettle lakes and forests teeming with wildlife and unique plant species.

Visitors are to complete the province’s COVID-19 online assessment and if they do not pass they should not visit the trails.

Seneca College King Campus

Location: Seneca Collage, King Campus, 13990 Dufferin St., King Township

There's 14-kilometres of trails that are groomed after a heavy snowfall. Parking fees apply on campus. For free access, park on Keele Street or Dufferin Street and enter through the Oak Ridges Trail Association trail.

Guided hikes by the ORTA are suspended until further notice.

York Regional Forest

Location: forest tracts in Georgina, East Gwillimbury, King Township, and Whitchurch-Stouffville

With 21 public forest tracts and 140 kilometres of trails, cross-country skiers have loads of options, at no cost. There are accessible trails in the Hollidge, North and Hall tracts.

Visitors are required to maintain physical distancing at all times.