Meaford had a white Christmas, and as the year kicks off it’s time to break out the skis and/or snowshoes if you haven’t already. Here’s a quick rundown on a few of the local runs and trails and their current conditions.
Blue Mountain
Twenty minutes down the road, Ontario’s largest ski resort is hopping with lots of snow from both Mother Nature and it’s state-of-the-art snowmaking system. With an average base of 55 cm. and groomed powder conditions, Blue has 12 of 15 lifts open and 30 of 36 runs open, as well as one terrain park. And the Village Mill Pond is open for skating.
Massie Hills
Head 20 minutes in the other direction, and you’ll find a groomed 10 km cross country trail system that gives you the feel of a backwoods ski. Though we’d enjoy some more snow (and the weather guys tell us it’s coming), the trails have been groomed and are in decent shape, with a few rocks still poking through.
Kolapore Uplands
Yet another extensive cross-country trail system awaits you within a 20-minute drive. These wilderness trails are ungroomed (and it’s a good idea to carry a map, available from various nearby locations).
Currently, the snow’s about 25 cm deep, and the trails are in decent shape overall; just keep an eye out for rocks. At the moment a small section of trails on the 60-km system are closed for logging.
Nordic Centre at Scenic Caves
Within a half hour scenic drive, this attraction offers 27 kilometres of groomed beginner and intermediate forested trails with occasional spectacular views. As of today, they offer a base of 20 cm., with the entire system track-set. Skating, too.
Highlands Nordic
Not much further down the road, about 40 minutes from town, you’ll discover one of Ontario’s premiere cross country ski resorts. Nestled in the highlands, it seems to be in its own little snow belt within the snow belt. Twenty km of trails are currently open for classic and skate.
Sawmill Ski Trail
Take a 40 minute drive in the opposite direction, and head north of Owen Sound for 10 km of groomed classic and skate trails branching off from the cozy log clubhouse. While the trails are not yet track-set this year, skating’s good, and with snow in the forecast it won’t be long.
Oh, and did we mention there’s more snow in the forecast?
