Toronto 
During winter, southern Ontario’s Scenic Cave Adventures transforms into the Scenic Caves Nordic Centre. The park, located on a high part of the Niagara Escarpment near the Blue Mountain Ski Resort, is a wonderful place to explore in the warmer months. However, once the snow falls, the region becomes a winter paradise.
With the Scenic Caves Nordic Centre and several other winter attractions in the area, this winter wonderland is perfect for cross-country or downhill skiers, adventurers, families, or couples.
The Scenic Caves Nordic Centre provides ways to explore the wonderful natural world that follows the Niagara Escarpment across southern Ontario. But keep in mind, these trails are only accessible in the winter with cross-country skis or snowshoes, with rentals provided if needed!
Snowshoeing the Escarpment
The snowshoe and cross-country ski trails of Scenic Caves Nordic Centre grant you access to most of the park. There are several natural and manmade features along the trails for which to keep your eyes open. All of the snowshoe trails are rated as beginner or intermediate routes. Altogether, the park provides about 12km of snowshoe trails, most of which are shared with ski trails.
- No matter how you get on these trails, make the park’s Suspension Bridge your first stop. It is the closest trail to the main lodge and parking lot, with the option to continue on a longer route or loop back to the lodge.
- The Lookout Trail also begins from the main lodge and leads north to incredible lookout points over the cliffs.
- Accessing the Enchanted Forest trail will create the longest adventure. Plus, there are several chances to cross over to other trails and create your own way through marked snowshoe trails. Enjoy viewing areas that provide seemingly endless views across the Blue Mountains and Collingwood areas.
Skiing the Escarpment
Along the top of the Niagara Escarpment are great opportunities for cross-country skiing. The trails within the Nordic area offer something for every skill level, too, with beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails.
- A simple and quick ski over the Suspension Bridge and back creates a route under 1km. From this trail, skiers have access to the more challenging routes around the Scenic Caves.
- There are over 25km of groomed trails within the Scenic Caves Nordic Centre, and dozens of ways to create your own route by combining the existing trails.
Guided Nighttime Snowshoe Hikes
Join the Scenic Caves Nordic Centre any Saturday evening during the winter for their guided hikes. Registration for the hikes includes snowshoe and headlamp rentals, and a hot drink to enjoy around the fire after the hike. Each guided snowshoe trek is a chance to learn about, see, or hear, the nocturnal wildlife who call these forests home. And on clear nights, these guided hikes are a perfect chance for stargazing.
More Features of the Scenic Caves Nordic Centre
The Scenic Caves Nature Adventures Nordic Centre provide the trails, the landscapes, and much more for a day outside. Get all the rentals you need from the Nordic Centre Pro Shop, including snowshoes, cross-country skis, and skate skis. The Pro Shop also has equipment and swag for purchase and offers the chance to sign up for Nordic skiing lessons.
Outside of the Pro Shop, the Nordic Centre offers a few more ways to enjoy the outdoors: sign up forthe time in their sauna, which includes time around the fire, too, or bring the kids to the adventure playground.
Winter Adventures Abound in the Blue Mountains
Don’t hesitate to explore the other winter playgrounds around the Collingwood and Blue Mountain region. This includes the major ski resort, all of the on-site activities the resort offers, plus more places for trail activities.
- The Blue Mountain Resort is well-known for its use of the Niagara Escarpment as an alpine ski area – Hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, downhill ski, and snowboard along these mountains. And with the Blue Mountain Resort, you can also skate the mountain! Now open for the winter is the Woodview Mountaintop Skating loop. Skate rentals are available, and the rink is lit on select nights for evening skating.
- This part of the Escarpment offers plenty of options for downhill skiing. Try the runs with Alpine Ski Club, Craigleith Ski Club, or the Blue Mountain Ski Resort.
- There are many features of the Blue Mountain Ski Resort that make it worth a winter visit including snow tubing, multiple spas, more winter trails, the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, several lodging options, and indoor entertainment/activities.
Where to Stay near the Ontario Scenic Caves
As mentioned above, the Blue Mountain Resort provides several options for accommodations, all within the fun and entertainment of the village at the base of the hill. These rooms and suites may also include ski and stay packages or winter offers. Many winter getaways may be planned specifically to get away from crowds, noise, or any hustle and bustle. In that case, there are plenty more accommodations outside of the resort while keeping your stay near the Nordic Centre.
- Collingwood, the largest community or town near the Scenic Caves, provides options for waterfront stays on the frozen shores of the Georgian Bay. These include places like the Living Water Resort, the Georgian Bay Hotel & Conference Centre near the water, or others within Collingwood like the VanderMarck Boutique Hotel or the Somewhere Inn.
Planning your Trip – Winter Fun at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
What: The Scenic Caves area is a protected parkland in southwestern Ontario’s Blue Mountain region. The cave adventures, summer hikes, and winter trails bring visitors to the tops of the Niagara Escarpment for incredible views of the Georgian Bay to the north and vast hills to the south. During the winters, the Cave Adventures are a Nordic Centre where there are close to 30km of groomed trails for skiers and snowshoers. The park has one of the longest suspension bridges in Ontario and the absolute longest in southern Ontario. The bridge is near the trailheads and parking lot or lodge and is one of the first tops on several of the winter trails.
Location and how to get there: 260 Scenic Caves Road, Blue Mountains
Cost: trails pass: $29.50-$33 per person; guided snowshoe hike $62 per person
For more information:
Scenic Caves Nature Adventures Nordic Centre
