Nova Scotia winters . . . they can be messy, they can be cold, they can be unpredictable . . . and winters on the east coast . . . they can be awesome! Who doesn’t love a winter walk with snow-covered trees, a picnic lunch with a belly-warming hot chocolate, and, of course, a new adventure? Cross country skiing and snowshoeing combine all this and more! So whether you are a pro, or new to the snow, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are great ways to enjoy some outdoor family time, get some exercise, and tire those kids out! Enjoy the best that Halifax winters have to offer and check out some of these great cross country ski and snowshoe trails!

If you are trying snowshoeing for the first time or you are introducing the sport to your littlest of outdoor enthusiasts, many of the recreation centres in HRM have snowshoes available for loan. Check out the list of recreation centres to find one in your area.

Another little gem of a spot is the Adventure Earth Centre in Fleming Park and Shubie Park. They have FREE family snowshoe and hikes in February. Check out their 2022 Winter Programs here.

Hike Nova Scotia has information on many of the hiking/snowshoeing trails throughout Nova Scotia, including Halifax, Dartmouth and beyond. They lead guided winter snowshoeing trips through some of the best trails in the province.

Family Snoeshoeing

If skiing is more your style, there are TONS of trails within HRM that are great for cross-country ski enthusiasts. It’s a bit more difficult to find skis to borrow or rent but sometimes you can find good deals at ski swaps and on Kijiji or Marketplace.

There are many spots to get your ski on and Cross Country Nova Scotia and Halifax Trails are great resources to find out about trails, events and all things cross country.

Here is a listing of trails groomed by the Halifax Nordic Ski Club:

Here are a few more of the favourite trails for cross country skiing and snowshoeing in HRM:

For a bit of a ‘city getaway’, yet still not too far from the city, Ski Martock is a great place for families to enjoy cross country skiing. It’s also a great place to try the sport for the first time, as it is one of the few places that offer cross-country ski rentals. Martock offers 5 km of groomed trails through a mixed coniferous and hardwood forest.

But the most important thing to remember when snowshoeing and cross country skiing is to be sure to have fun! Remember, there is no such thing as ‘bad winter weather’ when you have a pair of skis or snowshoes. That snowfall magically becomes known as ‘great weather’. Embrace it – and bring on the snow!