Skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba

There is good skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba, with some great places to learn and perfect your winter sports skills.

This skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba page tells you where to go to find downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, snow biking, and more winter outdoor fun.

While we don't have the big snow-capped peaks you find in some other provinces, Manitoba does have some BIG advantages.

Skiing and boarding in Manitoba is accessible, affordable and un-crowded.

It offers enough challenge for intermediates, but really stars at being a low-key/no pressure place for beginners to gain confidence.

If it involves snow, or ice, you can indulge in Manitoba for four months (some years almost five months) every year!

And, once it snows here, it stays snowed, usually until the end of March.

No melt-and-slush problems and no rain spoiling the snow, either, here in Great White Central!

This page has the six winter sports parks in Manitoba. There are also:

two more skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba parks near Winnipeg.

Manitoba is known for cross-country skiing.

Outdoor skating in Winnipeg is here.

Ski Valley is near Riding Mountain

Go about three hours west of Winnipeg (and north of Brandon) for Manitoba skiing and snowboarding in the hilly and beautiful central park of the province. 7 km (about 15 miles) north of the town of Minedosa is Ski Valley.

A new chair lift and 9 runs, some devoted to snowboarders and beginning skiers.

Ski and snowboard rentals, ski instructions and a licensed restaurant and dining room.

Info: (204) 867-3509 or (opens in a new window) Ski Valley.

Holiday Mountain, near Morden

A scenic (almost) two-hour drive southwest of Winnipeg gets you to Holiday Mountain for skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba near Pilot Mound and about half an hour west of Morden.

11 runs, freestyle terrain park, snowboard and ski rentals.

What’s special here is a first-timer package that is a terrific deal – equipment rental, lift ticket and a snowboard or ski lesson for just $50.

Also, unique in Manitoba, are the ski-in, ski-out cabins and inn in one of the most beautiful parts of the province.

Also, special events in 2010 celebrating the 50th anniversary of Holiday Mountain.

Getting there: Take Highway 3 from Winnipeg, turn west to Morden, continue to La Riviere. Info: (204) 242-2172 or (opens in new window) Holiday Mountain.

Falcon Ridge Ski & Recreation Area

If you want a family vacation (or winter escape) at a resort that has it all, Falcon Ridge fits the bill.

11 groomed runs, Bear Pit snowboard terrain park, tubing hill, and cross-country skiing trails.

There is also a Biathlon range – this is where Canadian Olympic biathelete Megan Imrie trains. (This sport combines race cross-country skiing and shooting).

AND icefishing, sleigh rides, skating on the lake, snowshoeing, winter orienteering and frosty nights of gazing up at the wonder of the Northern Lights.

Events and special rates for families and everyone age 62-plus.

There is live music every Sunday at the chalet.

This skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba option is 2 hours east of Winnipeg at Falcon Lake, just south of Whiteshell Provincial Park.

Getting there: Take Highway 1 (Trans Canada Highway) east to the town of Falcon Lake; follow signs. Info: (204) 349-8935 or (opens in new window) Falcon Ridge Ski & Recreation Area.

Asessippi Ski Area and Resort

This year-round resort is the largest ski area in Manitoba, but it is also among the furthest from Winnipeg.

It might be a long ride from Winnipeg to this skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba destination, but plenty of people make the journey, for all Asessippi has to offer – 25 downhill runs, 3 chair lifts, 2 terrain parks, snow-tubing run, snow-biking, a ski school, pro shop and rentals.

Unique here is that all this is in a charming resort village that is a prairie version of an Alpine resort with a food court and pub. No accommodations onsite, but stay at nearby bed-and-breakfast homes or at The Russell Inn (1-800-665-0678). The Russell offers sleep & ski specials.

Unique here -- Adaptive Ski program gives mobility-challenged people (for example, those who are sight-impaired) the opportunity for 1:1 skiing with an instructor, for just $50 (for 2 hours).

Offers 2-day and 3-day packages and also discounts for military and seniors.

There is a day trip from Winnipeg to Asessippi available in February and March, sponsored every year by Winnipeg Free Press. The package includes round trip by bus, equipment rental, lift tickets, lunch (there) and dinner (on the way home). It’s an incredible daytrip deal at $129 plus tax (and you can get a lesson for an additional $10). You must pre-book at (204) 697-7224.

Asessippi Ski Area and Resort info: (204) 564-2000 or (opens in new window) Asessippi Ski Area

Also open in summer for tubing and kayaking.

Getting there: Near the town of Inglis, in western Manitoba.

Mystery Mountain Winter Park

Go way up north to Thompson for another scenic ski area, Mystery Mountain.

This skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba option has 4 lifts and 18 downhill ski runs plus moguls and half pipe for boarders.

As Manitoba’s most northern ski area, it has the longest season – November to mid-April.

Notable here is the Learn to Ski program for people with physical or mental limitations.

Also lessons, rentals, and 12 km of cross-country trails through evergreen forests.

Getting there North of the city of Thompson.

Info: (204) 778-8624 or (opens in new window) Mystery Mountain Winter Park.

Mount Agassiz in Riding Mountain

You might remember another great place for skiing and snowboarding in Manitoba near the centre of the province and wonder why it doesn't seem to be listed anywhere.

It hasn't dropped off the map, or not quite.

Mount Agassiz was the popular downhill ski resort near the north-east edge of Riding Mountain National Park. It is currently closed.

While Parks Canada is reportedly assessing renovations and repairs that are needed.

There has been no word on when, or if, Mount Agassiz will re-open, as of winter 2010.

Stay tuned.

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SBI!