These destinations are full-service resorts. This means they have:

• a decent cafeteria (where you can buy more than just a coffee)
• a waxing facility
• a heated change room, and generally
• a rental shop (where you can rent classic or skating skis, and perhaps even snowshoes, although some resorts have limited supply).

Moreover, these resorts are expected to groom their trails frequently. 

Hardwood

Located north of Barrie, Hardwood offers over 30 km of meticulously groomed trails and 6 km of wilderness backcountry trails for skiers or snowshoers, winding through picturesque snow-laden forest of pine and hardwood. Trails are superbly groomed for both classical and skating techniques and for all ability levels of skiers. The Pro shop is equipped with all the latest and greatest ski equipment with both recreational and performance ski or snowshoe rentals. Hot and cold meals are available at the trendy cafeteria. Hardwood features snowmaking, giving them a long season of good snow.

Visit them at: Hardwood Hills

Highlands Nordic

South of Collingwood near Duntroon, Highlands Nordic has over 20 km of trail beautifully groomed for both skate and classic skiing. It has a chalet with excellent food, an excellent ski shop, and good quality ski and snowshoe rentals. You may want to print off the trail map from Highlands’ website before you go, since they no longer hand them out. You will, however, find trail maps posted at various strategic locations on the trails.

Snowshoeing: Highlands now offers about 6 km of snowshoe trails on their property. The Bruce Trail is nearby if you need a challenge, but you can’t take rental equipment off Highlands’ property.

Visit them at: Highlands Nordic

Horseshoe Valley

Located north of Barrie, Horseshoe Resort provides over 30 km of trails groomed for classic and skate technique. Warm up in the cozy lodge with the round wood stove. Decent quality ski and snowshoe rentals are available with a quaint ski shop.

Horseshoe has a cafeteria that serves sandwiches, chili, salads and beverages. Vending machines for coffee, tea and snack vending machines are also available, so you may want to bring some change along too. You can also walk across the street to the Alpine resort for more substantial food choices. Horseshoe has ski and snowshoe rental packages and a small pro-shop (if your skis need tuning). The are 35 km of trails ranging from beginner to advanced.

Snowshoeing: Horseshoe has about 8 km of marked trails.

Visit them at Horseshoe Resort

Mansfield Outdoor Centre

Located one hour north of Toronto, Mansfield Outdoor Centre maintains 35 km of groomed trails through the Dufferin Woods, including 10 km groomed for skate technique. Enjoy the rustic lodge with a wood-burning stove and homemade soup from their reasonable cafeteria. Decent quality ski and snowshoe rentals are available.

Snowshoeing: Mansfield does not have marked snowshoe trails, but snowshoers are welcome to create their own by bushwhacking through the scenic wooded area behind the main lodge.

Visit them at: Mansfield Outdoor Centre

Georgian Nordic

Located near Parry Sound, the Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club maintains 30 km of well groomed classic trails and skate rails over 200 acres of land of top of the Canadian Shield. It has a heated lodge, a waxing area and recently added a very pretty 4.5 km snowshoe trail. They have ski rentals, but no snack bar, and no snowshoe rentals.

Visit them at: Georgian Nordic Ski and Canoe Club

Scenic Caves Nordic Centre

This is a relatively new resort at the top of the Blue Mountains near Collingwood. It has a total of 16 km of beautiful trails groomed primarily for beginner and intermediate classic skiing. They also have a cafeteria in a rustic chalet, a waxing facility and some rentals (skis and snowshoes.)

Snowshoeing: Scenic Caves has 6 km of snowshoe trails that take you across Ontario’s longest suspension bridge for a spectacular view of Georgian Bay and the Collingwood area.

Visit them at: Scenic Caves Nordic Centre

Ganaraska Forest

A large forest located within an hour’s drive of Toronto, just north of Bowmanville and Kendal. They have over 30 km of trails marked and groomed for cross country skiing, with 6.5 km groomed for skating. The last couple of winters, we have been really impressed by the quality of the food offered in their canteen. 

There are no ski or snowshoe rentals at Ganaraska. 

For basic information about Ganaraska Forest click here.