Snow Sports

Head for the hills!

The Harrison Park toboggan hill is the perennial favourite for thrill-seekers, with a very steep hill and also a smaller one for beginners. Best of all, you can warm up later with a hot drink at the park restaurant. Gentler slopes can be found in downtown Owen Sound at Ryerson Park off 8th Street East or near Indian Falls off County Road 1.

Skate outdoors

Harrison Park's outdoor skating rink, a gift from the Scenic City Order of Good Cheer, is especially pretty during the Festival of Northern Lights. The HOSE rule applies, meaning Hockey on Odd days, Skating on Even-numbered ones.  Admission is free and the rink is open evenings, so you can skate under the stars.

Hit the ski trails

For skate-skiing, classic skiing, or a refreshing night ski, head to the Sawmill Nordic Centre on Highway 6 near Hepworth. It offers trails for both novice and advanced skiers. The trails are groomed for both skate-skiing and classic skiing and separate snowshoe trails are available, along with a heated log cabin for eating and changing, and night skiing under the lights. The nordic centre is operated by the Bruce Ski Club. Ski rentals are available at the nearby Suntrail Source for Adventure. 

Cobble Beach Resort just north of Owen Sound also offers 10 kilometres of groomed trails.

If you're hankering for the adventure of an un-groomed trail close to home, try Inglis Falls or Harrison Park.

The Owen Sound Cross Country Ski Club maintains 9.6 kilometres of classic groomed wilderness trails in Massie, south-east of Owen Sound on Concession 6 or Side Road 6 (there are two entrances). They also allow snowshoeing on the property

Snowshoe our Winter Waterfalls

A pair of snowshoes is your ticket to discovering the beauty of a waterfall in winter.  Inglis Falls, Weaver's Creek Falls and Jones Falls are wondrous to behold and accessible in winter with snowshoes. Bring along a ski pole or walking stick for good measure. (If you've planned a waterfall trip and there isn't much snow, you can hike to the waterfalls instead).

Other great places to snowshoe include Harrison Park, Stoney Orchard Park and Coffin Ridge Winery, where you can romp around in the vineyards! You can rent snowshoes at Suntrail Source for Adventure.

Fish the Sound

The Owen Sound bay is great for ice-fishing when it freezes over, usually in early February until the end March. The best ice fishing can be found from the harbour channel out to Thompson's Hole, approximately 3 miles out pending ice conditions. Under the ice you will find Rainbow, Brown and Lake Trout, whitefish -possibly salmon and maybe the odd Ling!

Open water angling on the Sydenham and Pottawatomi rivers will net you rainbow trout. Be sure to have a valid Ontario fishing licence, available online or from the Service Ontario office in Owen Sound, Canadian Tire or Watson's Tackle.

Downhill Skiing

The Blue Mountain area boasts some terrific ski slopes and is only 40 minutes east of Owen Sound.

Go Snowmobiling

Owen Sound is a sledder's paradise. There are more than 3,600 kilometres of groomed trails in the region (District 9 of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs), and with an average yearly snowfall over 330 centimetres, Owen Sound is the ideal destination for fresh powder! Snowmobile trails enter the city at various points with easy access to accommodations, restaurants, gas stations and shopping opportunities.

Four established trails pass through Owen Sound: the Bruce Peninsula Tour (193 km), the Queen's Bush Tour (185 km), the Saugeen River Tour (263 km) and the Walter's Falls Tour (142 km). Complete trail routes available on the District 9 OSFC web site.

For more information on snowmobile usage guidelines with the City of Owen Sound, view our Snow Vehicle Operations map or refer to the City’s Operation of Motorized Snow Vehicles By-law No. 1976-027 and the City’s Parks By-law No. 1992-014.

Read more in this review by The Intrepid Snowmobiler. You can also check out the Ride Grey Bruce site for information on sledding and motorcycle routes. The Owen Sound Eastside Snowmobile Club is an active local group involved in the OSFC. Trail conditions change often during the season so check the District 9 OFSC web site before you go, and please ride with safety in mind.