Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Winter Activities

In the winter...

Come and enjoy the magnificent winter vistas of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, from your skis, snowshoes or sleds.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park's co-operative association, Les Amis du Plein Air, organizes a guided hike every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m. during fall and winter. The hikes are offered in the Chéticamp area, inside and outside the park. All hikes are weather permitting. Come prepared with snacks and water and dress appropriately. Bring snow shoes or cross country skis. Call Gayle at 902-224-1544 for more information.

A park pass is required to ski or snowshoe on any groomed trail in the park or for trips into the backcountry. Daily or annual passes are available, and early bird specials are offered until June 30. In the winter season, passes can be purchased at the park administration office or at the Chéticamp Visitor Centre (side entrance) during business hours Monday to Friday.

Skiers and snowshoers should be advised that weather is very changeable especially at higher elevations. Visitors are also asked to review important visitor safety information, paying special attention to sections regarding encounters with wildlife.

Winter Activities Map - 2012
© Parks Canada

Click here to download a copy of the 2012 Winter Activities map for Cape Breton Highlands National Park (PDF - 1.18MB).

For the skilled adventurer, a fresh blanket of snow is waiting for you in the backcountry. Before venturing out, be sure that you:

• contact the Resource Conservation office for more information: 902-285-2542 (Ingonish) or 902-224-3798 (Chéticamp)
• are skilled with the use of a map, compass and GPS
• check the weather forecast and change your plans accordingly
• tell someone exactly where you are going and when you'll be back
• take an emergency survival kit with food, clothing, first aid kit and matches
• register any overnight trip with the park

Please call the ski phone line for daily updates regarding trail grooming status. For snow and trail conditions call 902-285-2549 (English) or 902-224-2306 (French).

This recorded information is updated five days per week by the groomer operator, usually by 4 p.m.

Black Brook Skiing Area

There is a warming hut and waxing hut, both with electricity and wood stoves, and pit privies at the main trail head at Black Brook. Three loops are found within this area: Black Brook, Cove Lookout and Otter Run. The Sunrise Run Trail links the Black Brook skiing area with the Broad Cove area.

Trail Name: Black Brook
Length: 0.75 km
Type of Trail: groomed, tracked
Ability Rating: beginner
Special Attractions: Scenic views of the Black Brook river canyon
Services: warming hut, waxing hut, pit privies

Trail Name: Cove Lookout Trail
Length: 1.5 km
Type of Trail: groomed, tracked
Ability Rating: intermediate
Services: warming hut, waxing hut, pit privies

Trail Name: Otter Run
Length: 3 km
Type of Trail: groomed, tracked
Ability Rating: intermediate
Services: warming hut, waxing hut, pit privies

Trail Name: Sunrise Run
Length: 5.5 km
Type of Trail: groomed, tracked
Ability Rating: intermediate
Special Attractions: This trail goes from Black Brook to Mary Ann Falls. It connects to the Mary Ann Falls trail, which leads to the Warren Lake trail, which is on the Cabot Trail. The trail climbs to 150 m (500 feet) above sea level and has scenic views of the Atlantic coastline and interior wilderness plateau. Watch for wildlife - moose, deer or even otter tracks.
Services: warming hut, waxing hut, pit privies. Warm up hut and pit privy near the falls

Broad Cove Skiing Area

Trail Name: Mary Ann Falls
Length: 6.5 km
Type of Trail: groomed, tracked
Ability Rating: intermediate
Special Attractions: From the Warren Lake trail, this trail climbs to Mary Ann Falls where it connects to the Sunrise Run.
Services: warm up hut and pit privy near the falls

Trail Name: Warren Lake Trail
Length: 3 km return
Type of Trail: groomed, tracked
Ability Rating: beginner
Special Attractions: The trail leads through a mixed forest of birch, maple, poplar and spruce on the summer road to Warren Lake, the largest lake in the park.
Services: pit privies

Trail Name: Broad Cove Campground
Length: 3 km return
Type of Trail: groomed, tracked
Ability Rating: beginner

Please note: the Clyburn Valley trail will not be groomed for the 2012 season and visitors using it as a backcountry trail are advised to go only as far as the first big hill at approximately 1.5 km (near #9 fairway on Highlands Links) due to erosion damage and possible flooding or ice on the trail.

Backcountry Skiing

No services, local inquiries advised. Skiing in the park off the groomed trails is considered to be skiing in the backcountry ski area. Skiers who ski off-trail in the park are advised to check with resource conservation or other park staff. Call 902-285-2542 (Ingonish) or 902-224-3798 (Chéticamp).

 

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Snowshoeing

Most trails are suitable for snowshoeing, as is the Highlands Links golf course. While hiking or snowshoeing on groomed trails, please avoid disturbing the ski tracks. Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.

For more information on snowshoeing options in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, download our Winter Activities 2012 map (1.18 MB - PDF, also listed above), or visit the Hiking section of our website.  Suggested snowshoeing routes include Le Chemin du Buttereau (6 km return or 1km loop), Salmon Pools (13 km return), Corney Brook (6.5 km return), Skyline (7.5 km return), Benjie's Lake (3 km return), MacIntosh Brook (2 km return), Beulach Ban Falls (4 km return), Paquette Lake (4 km return), Jigging Cove (4 km return) and Clyburn Valley (3 km return).
 

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Sliding/Tobogganing

Glide on your sled down the #5 fairway of the Highlands Links overlooking the beautiful Clyburn estuary and panorama of North Bay Ingonish.

 

 

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Winter Camping and Accommodations

Ingonish Campground
Services: Pit privy, enclosed shelter, wood stove, cold water tap (outside), wood provided.

Chéticamp Campground
Services: Flush toilets available at the Visitor Centre. Kitchen shelter with wood stove (wood provided).

You can also winter camp at:
Black Brook Cross Country Ski area
Services: Pit privy, warm up hut with electricity, lighted parking lot. No water on site.

Rent a shelter

Reservations are required.  Please call 902-285-2691 to book your shelter. 

At Black Brook
You can rent the warm up hut from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. only.
Services: wood stove, wood, electricity, cement floor (no bunks) and picnic tables. No water on site.

At Mary Ann Falls
You can rent the shelter (3.5 m x 5 m; 12 ft x 16 ft) from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. only.
Services: wood stove, wood, pit privy, table, a long bench against the back wall that doubles as two single bunks, and an upper bunk (altogether, the bunks will accommodate four people). No water on site.

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For more information on winter activities in northern Cape Breton, please visit the web site for North Highlands Nordic Cross Country Ski Club or Experience Ingonish.

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