Discover why visiting Sault Ste. Marie is topping many individuals’s list of places to travel this winter
Sault Ste. Marie is thought for its breathtaking scenery and outdoor winter experiences. With renowned downhill and cross-country skiing, countless places to snowshoe, ice skating trails, snowmobiling, a growing fat biking scene, famous ice caves and more, it’s no secret why this idyllic Northern Ontario city draws people from all around the world.
Here’s why visiting Sault Ste. Marie is topping many individuals’s list of places to travel in Ontario this winter.
A destination for one among the fastest-growing winter sports
Sault Ste. Marie (the Sault) is quickly becoming a top destination for fat biking in Ontario.
Hiawatha Highlands and Crimson Ridge offer two unique networks with over 30 kilometres of professionally groomed fat biking trails just minutes from downtown. Enjoy difficult elevation, fun descents and flow sections while travelling alongside frozen rivers and thru dense snow-covered forests.
Downtown, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site is home to fat bike trails with free access for all skill levels on St. Mary’s and Whitefish Islands. Here, you’ll ride alongside the rushing St. Mary’s Rapids and encounter a wide range of wildlife species.
After fat biking, enjoy food and refreshments at restaurants within the nearby Canal District or try many delicious dining options downtown.
Fatbike rentals can be found locally thorough Velorution Bike & Ski. Call 705-253-9388 for information and size options.
Local secret: St. Kateri Outdoor Learning Centre has around 3.5 km of fat biking trails which are free for public use.
Discover a few of the perfect downhill skiing in Ontario
The Sault is home to a few of the perfect downhill skiing and snowboarding in Ontario, without the jam-packed lift lines found at many southern Ontario hills. This implies more runs down 703 vertical feet of adventure-packed terrain at Searchmont Resort.
A premiere-ranked resort, Searchmont boasts 26 runs across high-quality mountain terrain. The resort is supplied with a slope-side restaurant and bar, shop, equipment rentals, latest lifts and night skiing.
Local secret: Sault Ste. Marie has a thriving backcountry ski scene. To find one among Ontario’s best backcountry ski experience, try the Bellevue Valley Lodge.
Nordic ski on countless groomed trails
Sault Ste. Marie offers a few of the perfect cross-country skiing in Ontario and North America.
In keeping with CNN and Forbes, Stokely Creek Lodge claims one among the highest spots on the continent to take part in Nordic skiing. Stokely has 100 kilometres of groomed skate and classic ski tracks that wind through 12,000 magical acres of the Algoma Highlands.
Breathtaking scenery including frozen lakes and waterfalls, countless forests, and amazing vistas just like the one at the highest of King Mountain, make Stokely a bucket-list destination for Nordic skiers. Enjoy on-trail warming huts, Scandinavian lodging and an all-inclusive experience for an unforgettable Ontario ski vacation.
If 100 kilometres of trail isn’t enough, just 10 minutes from downtown Hiawatha Highlands offers a further 50 kilometres of skiing through towering pine forests. Enjoy night skiing on Hiawatha’s lighted loop.
Local secret: Hiawatha Highlands hosts several “lantern skis” throughout the season for a very magical nighttime Nordic ski experience.
An unexpected skating experience
Sault Ste. Marie is home to 2 skating trails inside a walk or short drive of downtown.
Enjoy a waterfront sunset or evening under a starlit sky while skating along the Clergue Park trail. Afterwards, enjoy dinner and refreshments at one among the Sault’s diverse restaurants like Ernie’s Coffee Shop and East Street Pizza Company or visit local craft breweries, Northern Superior Brewing Co. or Outspoken Brewing.
For an unexpected skating experience, try Crimson Ridge’s stunning 1.1 kilometre lit trail winding through the forest. Warm up by the trail side campfire or duck into the onsite steakhouse, Ember’s on the Ridge for a meal and post-skate cocktails.
Local secret: Sault Ste. Marie is home to a latest covered outdoor skating rink with onsite dining. Positioned within the Canal District, free public skating is obtainable every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 1 pm. Or, you possibly can book the ice for a personal skating or hockey experience.
An unforgettable single-day snowmobile adventure
Sault Ste. Marie has a fame for being among the finest destinations to snowmobile in Ontario. Access to well-maintained trails and amenities, single to multi-day adventures, abundance of snow and the region’s natural beauty continues to attract enthusiasts in yr after yr.
The brand new Soo Highlands Loop provides riders with a 170-km riding experience in Northern Ontario’s wilderness. The only-day loop takes you north to Searchmont Resort and across the ridgeline of the Canadian Shield.
Grab your Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit from the Sault Trailblazers Snowmobile Club to begin your adventure!
Local secret: Sault Ste. Marie is host to several exciting snowmobile events throughout the winter including drag races, group fun runs and more. Discover more.
Experience one among the good winter attractions in Ontario
Lake Superior’s ice caves offer an experience like none other.
Every year, shoreline ice caves and formations are naturally created when the waves on Lake Superior freeze over. These chasms and sculptures of blue ice will leave you speechless and alter yr after yr making each experience one-of-a-kind. See why the Recent York Times named Lake Superior’s ice caves one among the top 50 sights to see.
Local secret: For the insider experience, Stokely Creek Lodge and Forest The Canoe offer guided day trips to the perfect ice caves, including transportation, crampon-equipped snowshoes and a snack.
Snowshoe trails to showcase the fantastic thing about the realm
Snowshoeing in Sault Ste. Marie is among the finest ways to experience the fantastic thing about the realm. Whether you are a seasoned snowshoer or a beginner, there are many trails and rental options available to assist you to take advantage of your time on this beautiful city.
A brief drive from downtown, Hiawatha Highlands offers trails in two, three and four-kilometre loops with equipment rentals available onsite. The paths at Hiawatha are accessible to all skill and fitness levels.
Just outside of the Sault, tackle some elevation and snowshoe to the highest of King Mountain at Stokely Creek Lodge for bird’s eye view of the Algoma Highlands. Experience wildlife, frozen waterfalls and the fantastic thing about a region that inspired the art of The Group of Seven.
Enlist an expert guide to indicate you the way in which or provide information concerning the area and its cultural significance.
Local secret: There are several scenic wooded areas inside city limits to explore on snowshoes including Finn Hill, The Sault Ste. Marie Golf Club and Fort Creek Conservation Area. To search out latest places and trails to explore, try the TrailForks app.
Calm down, dine and reflect in your experiences
After a day of adventuring, refuel and experience diverse cuisine from the Sault’s emerging culinary scene. Enjoy Asian-inspired creations from Peace Restaurant, plan your next adventure over authentic Syrian food at Georgie’s Shawarma, or enjoy at any of the opposite great restaurants the Sault has to supply.
Sault Ste. Marie is a ravishing place to be throughout the winter months. Start planning your ultimate winter adventure getaway today.
