Ski-Up at Beaudry Provincial Park

Join us at Beaudry Provincial Park on Saturday, January 29, for a ski and snowshoe meetup!

Bring your own skis and poles or snowshoes, and look for our big green ‘Keep Manitoba Wild’ tent where we’ll be handing out hot chocolate and staying toasty with a bonfire. Stop by and warm up before and after skiing the trails!

This bilingual event is being offered in partnership with the Directorat de l’activité sportive, which contributes to the development of Manitoba’s Francophone community through sport and physical activity in French.

While French language skills are not required to participate, we welcome Francophones and Francophiles to join! For English speakers, it’s a great opportunity for you and your family to practice your French language skills. DAS will also be bringing a handful of snowshoes for kids and adults to try out.

NOTE: No walking/hiking/snowshoeing is permitted on groomed cross-country ski trails.

Whether it’s by snowshoe, ski, or boot, exploring Manitoba’s trails in winter is an excellent way to get some fresh air and exercise outdoors.

Beaudry Provincial Park is a wonderful spot for skiers of all skill levels with five groomed trails sheltered by thick forests. The park has some of the largest basswood, cottonwood and maple trees in the area. It’s also home to white-tailed deer, fox, owls, raccoons, beaver, muskrat and a multitude of birds. Wide, well-marked paths follow the curve of the Assiniboine River.

It’s close enough to the city to squeeze a hike or ski into a busy Saturday, and far enough to escape from traffic noise and enjoy the soothing sounds of nature.

Beaudry Park has four groomed ski trails to choose from:

Wild Grape (Red) 2.5 km

Elm (Green) 2.8 km

Maple (White) 5.0 km

Basswood (Yellow) 3.4 km

View a map of the park trails here.

New to cross-country skiing? Read our Beginner’s Guide to Cross-Country Skiing in Manitoba.

How to Get There

Travel west along Roblin Road for about 10 kilometers past the city limits. Be sure to slow down when driving through Headingley.

OR

• Travel west along Highway 1. When you get to Headingley turn south (left) onto 334. Then hang a right to go west along 241. Be sure to slow down when driving through Headingley.
• Watch for the sign for Beaudry Provincial Park and turn right into the parking lot.
• Don’t forget your provincial park pass!

Amenities

• There’s an outhouse and a handful of picnic tables at the trailhead.
• There are gas stations and restaurants in Headingley and plenty of options along Portage Ave just inside the perimeter.
• Our favourite places to stop are Nick’s Inn in Headingley if we take Portage Ave or Crampton’s Market and Shelmerdine’s Garden Centre along Roblin Road.

What to Bring on Your Winter Hike/Activity

• A park pass is required for all vehicles entering provincial parks. An annual pass (which can be used in two vehicles) is $44.50. Daily permits are $9.50.
• Bring at least two bottles of water: you can leave one in your vehicle on a short hike; you’ll want both on a long hike.
• Snacks are a great way to keep your energy up along the trail. Many trails don’t have restaurants or stores nearby so you may also want to pack a picnic lunch.
• Hand sanitizer (Most trails have outhouses, not modern toilets.)
• Any medication you may need (like antihistamines, your asthma inhaler or an EpiPen)
• A safety whistle, pocket flashlight and a basic first aid kit (not required, but a good idea any time you’re in the wilderness)

Outdoor Fun: What to Expect on Your Group Hike/Activity

Sometimes we just want to have some fun and enjoy a friendly chat with a stranger.

Our group hikes and activities are an easy way to get outside and explore Manitoba’s beautiful parks with other people.

CPAWS staff will share their love of nature on a relaxing hike along our favourite trails.

There won’t be any lectures along the way: when we stop for water and snack breaks we’ll keep the conversation casual and light.

If you’ve got questions we’ll do our best to answer them. However, we are not formally trained park interpreters. We encourage people seeking learning opportunities to check out our outdoor learning programming or try an interpretive event offered by Manitoba Parks.

Most hikes will take around two hours to complete and will be moderately challenging. Most will also be close enough to Winnipeg to make a pleasant day trip. Check out the event descriptions for more details.

How to Dress for Winter Hiking/Activities

The key to enjoying winter activities is to stay warm and dry.

Layers are your best friend. Hiking is good exercise. You don’t want to get sweaty while you’re moving and then catch a chill when you stop. So be aware of your body temperature and take layers off — or pile them on — as needed.

Start with a lighter puffer jacket or windbreaker supplemented by a sweater or fleece and a long sleeve shirt (a moisture-wicking fabric baselayer if you have one, cotton if you don’t.) You may overheat in a heavy parka unless it’s very, very cold out.

Snow pants or windbreaker/shell pants are well worth the investment. They don’t have to be expensive. They just need to keep your bottom half warm and dry, especially when you sit down for a snack break.

Don’t forget a warm hat, mitts, and either a scarf or neckwarmer. You can layer thin gloves under heavy mitts for added warmth and flexibility.

Warm, comfortable, and sturdy boots are a must. You don’t need expensive hiking boots. But you will not enjoy walking through the woods in sopping wet sneakers or leather boots with a high heel.

We recommend getting spikes or a traction device for your shoes for icy conditions. You can find them at Wilderness Supply, MEC, or even Costco!

How Can We Help?

If you have any questions or require any additional accommodations to participate, please email us at [email protected].

About CPAWS Manitoba:

CPAWS Manitoba has been instrumental in establishing 22 new parks and protected areas in our province. That’s an area larger than Lake Winnipeg at nearly 26,000 square kilometres. Our goal is to protect half of Manitoba’s lands and waters.

About the CPAWS Manitoba Nature Club

CPAWS Manitoba’s Nature Club is designed to help Manitobans get outside, make new friends and learn about the wonders of nature.

We’ve developed a wide range of programming and activities to help Manitobans of all ages and abilities enjoy the health and wellness benefits of nature.

Find out more at our website – www.cpawsmb.org – and be sure to subscribe to our events newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you don’t miss out on upcoming events.

Safety Protocols

CPAWS Manitoba takes the safety of all program participants seriously.

All CPAWS Manitoba staff members have cleared a criminal record and vulnerable sector background check with the Winnipeg Police Department.

All CPAWS Manitoba staff members voluntarily disclose that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We adhere to all public health recommendations and guidelines.

CPAWS policy requires that at least one person leading programming that may involve children must be certified in first aid. This applies to staff or to volunteers.

This program is possible thanks to the generous support of The Winnipeg Foundation and the Conservation Trust, a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan Initiative delivered by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation.