Staying active in the winter isn’t always easy. For some of us, it’s tempting to stay in, cuddle up, and spend the long winter months binging Netflix under a warm blanket.
Cross-country skiing boasts a wide array of benefits for your physical and mental health. Here’s why you should strap on some skis and spend your winter gliding through frozen forests and snow-covered trails:
Benefits for your body
Cardiovascular health: Cross-country skiing will give you the much-needed cardio exercise we miss out on in the winter. A brisk ski will get your blood pumping and increase your heart health and endurance.
Muscle groups: Cross-country skiing is a challenging workout that engages muscles all over your body. Using poles works your shoulders and triceps, while also activating your core and legs.
Burn calories: As one of the most demanding cardio sports, a dedicated session of cross-country skiing will have you burning lots of calories.
Joint health: Cross-country skiing is a low-impact activity. The smooth gliding motion and gradual movements means it doesn’t put much pressure on your joints. This makes it a great form of exercise for staying healthy with a low risk of injury.
Soak up some Vitamin D: We tend to get much less Vitamin D in the winter. Research has shown that Vitamin D is good for disease prevention, boosting mood, and growth and development of bones and teeth. Get outside and soak up the sun!
Benefits for your brain
Stress relief: Feeling stressed? A nature break can do wonders for your mental health. Stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity.
Better mood: Taking your workout outside is good for your mood! Outdoor exercise has a positive effect on your mood rather than exercise in a gym.
Socialization: Cross-country skiing is a great activity for your friends and family. Spending time being active outdoors will allow you to bond and connect with each other and the outdoors.
Hit the trails
Nineteen Ontario Parks have over 450 km of cross-country ski trails available. Here are some of our favourites:
Windy Lake Provincial Park
Windy Lake offers nearly 15 km of groomed and tracked ski trails, perfect for both classic and skate styles of cross-country skiing. If you’d like to spend more than one day at Windy Lake, yurts and cabins are available during the winter season.
Silent Lake Provincial Park
Located just outside of Bancroft, Silent Lake is a great place to come skiing, whether you’re looking for a novice or a difficult trail. The 40 km of trails wander through cedar swamps and birch and beech stands, with all four trails starting and ending at the parking lot for convenience.
If you’re looking to spend the night, ten cabins and eight yurts are available throughout the winter season.
Killbear Provincial Park
Killbear offers 17 km of cross-country ski trails that are groomed and track-set for classic style skiing.
Prefer skate skiing (a.k.a. freestyle xc skiing)? There are 4.7 km of groomed trails available too!
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park rents cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment. The Wasaga Nordic Centre is open in winter months for rentals, snacks, and select merchandise, and also offers ski lessons.
Sleeping Giant Provincial Park
Sleeping Giant is famous for the yearly Sleeping Giant Loppet, recognized internationally for its ski competition, which takes place on the first Saturday of March.
Apart from the Loppet, the Giant offers over 50 km of groomed trails, great for beginners to experienced skiers, for both classic and skate skiing.
Extend your stay at one of five rustic cabins!
Wondering about conditions?
Don’t forget to check the Snow Report before you head out.
Happy trails!