Overview

The Himsworth South Cross Country Ski Trails are located on privately owned land within lots 8 to 14 of the fourteenth concession of Himsworth South Township. They are accessed by taking the Main Street exit off Highway 11 (approximately to kilometers north of Powassan) and at the stop sign turn left then turn and travel for a kilometer east on Lindquist Line. The parking lot is located on the right side of the road shortly after crossing the train tracks.

Approximately eight kilometers of groomed trails traverse a variety of scenic countryside from low lying marches to higher, rolling hardwood and coniferous forests that line the trails like a canopy. The trails offer a mix of challenges for all cross country skiers from the novice to the master. The terrain varies from flat to very steep.

If lucky, while skiing along the trails one might catch a glimpse of the local wildlife….deer, moose, fox, beaver, porcupine, chickadees, blue jays, and downy woodpeckers.          

Trails Maintenance

The ski trails pass through some very nearly country. They traverse swamps, cross three creeks and they are strewn with large boulders and tree stumps. Over the years the first loop and the “front” part of the second loop have had extensive work hone on them with heavy equipment.

Virtually all other work on the trails is accomplished by a dedicated group of volunteers. Armed with their own hand tools, chainsaws, and brush saws, etc. deadfalls and brush are cleared from the trails each fall. In the winter, the group gets out their ATV’s and snowmobiles and begins the long, arduous task of grooming the trails for the winter.

User Fees

A season’s pass for a family is $20 and $15 for a single person. For an individual $2 will cover one day of skiing.

Fees can be deposited in the blue collection box at the beginning of the trail or dropped off at the Municipal Office on Main Street. Make cheques payable to “The Himsworth South Cross Country Ski Trails”.

As it was previously stated, VIRTUALLY ALL ONGOING MAINTENANCE COSTS ARE COVERED BY THE VOLUNTEERS. The user fees have always been set aside for the purpose of hiring heavy equipment for the upgrading of the trails. The Trials Committee will be pursuing funds in the order of $25,000 from the Trillium Foundation to work on the remainder of the trails over the next year or two.

Who is using the Trails?

We would like to organize a list of names of those using the ski trails. If you normally pay your fees in cash, please drop us a note with your name, address and telephone number. Please state if you would like to volunteer some time on the trails (usually for one day in the fall after hunting season). Please feel free to put a note in the collection box telling us who you are.

Acknowledgements

The Land Owners…..Without the use of these private properties there would be no trails! They are a very co-operative and understanding group of people who gives the use of their land out of the goodness of their hearts.

Each year the Municipality leases the land upon which the trails are located from ten different families. The leases are in force only for the ski season from December 1st to April 30th. For the remainder of the year the trails are closed to the public.