About Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

The Halton Outdoor Club is dedicated to providing an exciting and varied winter activity program that involves both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing and is suitable for everyone from Novice to Expert.

Winter Day Trips

Weather permitting, the HOC Winter Day Trips run most Saturdays and Sundays, from early December to late March. Our Coach Bus departs from Burlington, bright and early in the morning, heading to snow country, where we spend our day enjoying the outdoors before returning home in time for supper. We visit a variety of resorts, most of which are within a comfortable two hour bus ride of Burlington. The resorts provide dedicated snowshoe trails as well as well-groomed, track-set cross-country ski trails. For both snowshoers and skiers, there are a variety of trail options ranging from short trails with easy terrain to long trails with demanding contours. It's easy to find the trail that is right for you and someone to join you as you enjoy your day. Most resorts feature a chalet that offers hot food and beverages, a place to store extra gear and somewhere to relax when you're finished for the day.
Every Winter Day Trip is led by a friendly and helpful Bus Captain who provides information on the day's resort and who ensures that the trip runs smoothly.

Winter Vacations

As well as our Winter Day Trips, the Halton Outdoor Club schedules a variety of extended winter trips ranging in length from three day weekends to two week European vacations. We generally offer at least three extended winter trips per season. On these adventures, we may travel by coach bus to Ontario destinations in the Haliburton Highlands, Huntsville, Ottawa or Sault Ste. Marie or we may travel to Quebec to experience winter in the Laurentians or Quebec City. Within Canada we have travelled by air to enjoy the trails around Thunder Bay and to one of our all time favourite destinations at Silver Star Ski Resort in Vernon, B.C. The gem in the crown of our winter trips is our two week ski vacation to Europe where we ski for one week in the majestic Dolomite Mountains in northern Italy and for one week in Seefeld, Austria which is truly a Mecca for outdoor winter sports. Our winter trip destinations change regularly and we are always looking for new adventures in order to keep things interesting. As a not-for-profit Club, our goal is to offer exciting, enjoyable trips at an affordable price. Each season the HOC attempts to run a variety of trips that can suit various budgets and time constraints.

Ski Lessons

The Halton Outdoor Club has well-trained and experienced ski instructors who teach various levels of Nordic Skiing. Beginner ski lessons take place early in the ski season, while more advanced lessons take place throughout the winter. We also offer introductory skate ski lessons. All lessons are held in conjunction with scheduled winter day trips. In your class you will meet friendly skiers at your own skill level with whom to enjoy the trails on future trips.

Showshoeing

Our Winter Day Trips always include snowshoers as well as cross-country skiers. Each year snowshoeing grows in popularity. Most ski resorts feature a network of designated Snowshoe Trails and a good selection of Snowshoe Rentals. Members often enjoy a half day of skiing followed by a half day of snowshoeing. Your ski day trail pass covers both activities for the day. If you prefer, you can simply buy a Snowshoe trail pass and quietly explore the forest all day long on your snowshoes.

Equipment

Most venues offer a good selection of rental equipment for both Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. If you are new to your sport we often recommend that you rent equipment before you purchase, just to make sure that you enjoy the activity before you invest in your own gear. Whether you own or rent your equipment, the most important things to bring with you on any HOC trip is a sense of adventure, a love of the outdoors and your sense of humour.

See you on the trails!

Things We Do

Cycling
Hiking
Paddling (Kayaking)
Cross Country Ski | Snowshoe