Winter 2025-2026 XC Ski Trails - Grooming Updates:
(Rotate smartphone to landscape for the best way to view the table. The most recent grooming activity is at the top of the table. The legend for terminology is below the table. See the green XC trail map further down this page for specific trail names).
(Rotate smartphone to landscape for the best way to view the table. The most recent grooming activity is at the top of the table. The legend for terminology is below the table. See the green XC trail map further down this page for specific trail names).
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DATE |
ACTIVITY |
WHICH TRAILS? |
NOTES |
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Sunday, Jan 18th |
COMBING, SHREDDING & TRACK SET |
Skate lane was combed on trails shown above on map. Ice was shredded on Forest trails and a classic track laid. |
Ski with caution and watch for marginal conditions. |
Friday, Jan 16th evening |
ICE SHREDDING + COMBING for SKATE ONLY |
See map above for skate trails that were shredded and combed on Friday PM. |
Limited skate trails are available - conditions still poor with some debris on snow (please pause & pick up large pieces & throw them off to the side - thnaks!).Trail access points are icy. Use of trails by beginners is not recommended. Groomers are working hard to shred the compacted ice. Will be sometime before classic tracks can be laid (softening required). Use extreme caution if you venture out & enjoy the day safely! |
Thursday, Jan 15th |
NORDIC TRAILS CLOSED due to extremely ice conditions |
ALL NORDIC |
Winter multi use = snowshoe only but expect icy / glazed conditions in the morning. NO walking on multi use (will create post holes that damage trail) until next cold snap hardens them. |
Table Legend & Terminology:
- Packing: Snow must be packed down by our machinery to remove air pockets and create a firm base before any other grooming work occurs. Packing mostly occurs at the start of the season but could also happen after a large snowfall.
- Combing (or Grooming) of the Skate Lane: Creates the corduroy texture seen in the wide skate lane. This provides a smooth consistent surface for skate skiers to propel and glide on. The snow in this lane is sometimes referred to as "corduroy". Combing can occur on a fairly small snow base so skate skiers often get skiing earlier and later in the season than classic XC skiers.
- Track Set: This refers to the parallel channels embedded in the snow that classic cross-country skiers use to travel in. Snow needs to be of a certain depth to lay a classic track. It can only be reset when there has been enough new snow or when there is a good snow base. The classic track can become icy during freeze-thaw cycles. The only way to resolve this is to "renovate" (break up and mix) the snow, then reset the track. The classic track may also be reset after a new snowfall. Debris (sticks, leaves, animal poop) can cause skis to stop in the classic track - use caution and step out of the track to avoid them if possible.
- Scarify: Is when the snow surface is "roughed up" to break up a surface ice crust that has formed. The surface is renovated to mix the ice and snow together, then either combed into new corduroy in the skate lane or set a classic track set in the recycled snow.
- North Trails: Any trails north of Twp Road 704 that runs east-west through the Wapiti Nordic recreation lease (note: South Blue is located within the North trail network - confusing, yes!). These trails are typically accessed off the Hwy 40 service road parking lot, though can also be accessed by parking at the Biathlon stadium or skiing under the Silver Arch from the main lodge. Blue Moon, Half Moon and Burgess trails are typically accessed from the biathlon stadium but can be from any access point.
- South Trails: Encompasses any trails south of Twp Road 704 and includes the green (easiest) Forest Trail loops, and Competition/Games trails (hardest & hilly) that are south of the main lodge towards the river valley.
- Video - How XC Ski Trails are Groomed
TRAILFORKS Links to trail maps HERE > Select the desired activity in the box beside the TRAILFORKS logo in the green band at the top of their webpage.
Sept 2025: NEW North side Multi-Use Trails - Details, maps & photos HERE
Note to all: Summer Membership or Day Pass required to access Wapiti Nordic trails.
The Wapiti Nordic trail system offers a regionally unique experience, available exclusively to WNSC members or day pass holders. Thank you for being part of our community and supporting these exceptional trails!
The Wapiti Nordic trail system offers a regionally unique experience, available exclusively to WNSC members or day pass holders. Thank you for being part of our community and supporting these exceptional trails!
Please familiarize yourself with our trail maps and/or navigation apps (see below) before heading out on the trails. Better still - print a map and bring it with you! Also be BearSmart, travel with others, make noise and carry bear spray at all times!
IMPORTANT: In the event of a medical emergency please call 911. The lodge is not staffed a majority for the time and we do not have a "ski patrol" on site even when the lodge is staffed on weekends. Trail access is at your own risk. A majority of our trails have cell phone coverage, however if you are heading out alone, we recommend you leave details with a family member or friend. Use of Wapiti Nordic trails and purchase of membership or day pass includes assumption of risk.
IMPORTANT: In the event of a medical emergency please call 911. The lodge is not staffed a majority for the time and we do not have a "ski patrol" on site even when the lodge is staffed on weekends. Trail access is at your own risk. A majority of our trails have cell phone coverage, however if you are heading out alone, we recommend you leave details with a family member or friend. Use of Wapiti Nordic trails and purchase of membership or day pass includes assumption of risk.
Trail Maps:
We recommend that you print a copy of the map (see table below) at home and bring it in your pocket. Phones can "die" quickly in the cold! There are permanent trail maps posted at each intersection. Note that dogs are only permitted on the North (pink) trails as noted below. Snowshoers, fat bikes and hikers are restricted to Multi Use trails ONLY during winter months. Groomed trails are for skiing only. Thank you.
We recommend that you print a copy of the map (see table below) at home and bring it in your pocket. Phones can "die" quickly in the cold! There are permanent trail maps posted at each intersection. Note that dogs are only permitted on the North (pink) trails as noted below. Snowshoers, fat bikes and hikers are restricted to Multi Use trails ONLY during winter months. Groomed trails are for skiing only. Thank you.
2023-2024 MULTI-USE TRAIL USERS: In order to be a better neighbor, we have created a new detour around the Church Camp on the North trail system as shown below. Please follow all trail markers and signs - Thank You.
COMPLETE TRAIL SYSTEM + LEVELS OF DIFFICULTY As shown above. This is a georeferenced PDF - download this to your phone on an App such as Avenza Maps to see where you are real time while out skiing! |
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Multi-Use Trail System:
The Multi-Use Trail System was added November 2018 for snowshoers, back country skiers and fat biking and provides a unique experience for non nordic users to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months. Trail head signs have been posted, the mapping (on Trailforks) is up to date, and new trail navigation markers are in place. See the maps above. Dogs are permitted on the NORTH multi use trails if accompanying snowshoers, back county skiers or fat bikes - sorry no pedestrian users during the winter. See our Fat Bike page for further information. Sign up for our Snowshoe Tours to explore the Wapiti Nordic multi-use trails.
The family friendly snowshoe trail begins at the firepit area/Russ Bowen picnic shelter and is marked by a yellow diamond and orange/pink flagging tape. Once you reach the intersection in the meadow- look for the gnome and turn LEFT to head back tot he lodge.
Trails with Lighting
We are very fortunate to have approximately 5km of lit trails at Wapiti Nordic. Lights are turned on from 5:00pm - 9:00pm on Monday - Thursday evenings on the following trails (see Complete Trail System map above):
Report a problem:
If you experience a blockage on the trail, please email us and provide specific information (trail name, location, etc) where possible
Trail Etiquette:
Please review here before using our trail network
Trailforks:
See our Mountain Bike page for additional info on trail maps and elevation profiles recorded by local trail enthusiasts!
Inclement Weather: Please check on Facebook if there is inclement weather. The lodge is generally closed early if the roads are bad due to freezing rain or heavy rain. Each program informs the participants what their cut off temperature is. For example the Chicks program uses a cut off of -25 C. On evenings that the temperature is -30 by 5 pm the lodge is closed early. These guidelines have been developed based on the number of skiers that come out, and to ensure the safety of WNSC staff and volunteers. As always the trails are open 24/7.
Summer Access: Will be announced here are officially open for mountain bike, running and hiking. A Membership (Annual or Summer) or a Day Pass is required for each person to access Wapiti Nordic trails as per the terms of our recreation lease agreement with the Province of Alberta. The fees help cover year round operating expenses for our not-for-profit society and liability insurance costs. Group activities must seek Board approval in advance - more details here. Please note: conditions are extremely dry - please do not light any fires anywhere on the Wapiti Nordic property.
The Multi-Use Trail System was added November 2018 for snowshoers, back country skiers and fat biking and provides a unique experience for non nordic users to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months. Trail head signs have been posted, the mapping (on Trailforks) is up to date, and new trail navigation markers are in place. See the maps above. Dogs are permitted on the NORTH multi use trails if accompanying snowshoers, back county skiers or fat bikes - sorry no pedestrian users during the winter. See our Fat Bike page for further information. Sign up for our Snowshoe Tours to explore the Wapiti Nordic multi-use trails.
The family friendly snowshoe trail begins at the firepit area/Russ Bowen picnic shelter and is marked by a yellow diamond and orange/pink flagging tape. Once you reach the intersection in the meadow- look for the gnome and turn LEFT to head back tot he lodge.
Trails with Lighting
We are very fortunate to have approximately 5km of lit trails at Wapiti Nordic. Lights are turned on from 5:00pm - 9:00pm on Monday - Thursday evenings on the following trails (see Complete Trail System map above):
- Main stadium
- Biathlon stadium
- Big Dipper
- South loop along Highway 40.
- Always bring a headlamp in case you are inspired to travel beyond our lit trails!
Report a problem:
If you experience a blockage on the trail, please email us and provide specific information (trail name, location, etc) where possible
Trail Etiquette:
Please review here before using our trail network
Trailforks:
See our Mountain Bike page for additional info on trail maps and elevation profiles recorded by local trail enthusiasts!
Inclement Weather: Please check on Facebook if there is inclement weather. The lodge is generally closed early if the roads are bad due to freezing rain or heavy rain. Each program informs the participants what their cut off temperature is. For example the Chicks program uses a cut off of -25 C. On evenings that the temperature is -30 by 5 pm the lodge is closed early. These guidelines have been developed based on the number of skiers that come out, and to ensure the safety of WNSC staff and volunteers. As always the trails are open 24/7.
Summer Access: Will be announced here are officially open for mountain bike, running and hiking. A Membership (Annual or Summer) or a Day Pass is required for each person to access Wapiti Nordic trails as per the terms of our recreation lease agreement with the Province of Alberta. The fees help cover year round operating expenses for our not-for-profit society and liability insurance costs. Group activities must seek Board approval in advance - more details here. Please note: conditions are extremely dry - please do not light any fires anywhere on the Wapiti Nordic property.