Cross Quetico Tour skiers

The Cross Quetico Lakes Tour: a true winter adventure

Every March, cross-country skiers of all abilities descend on Quetico Provincial Park and the nearby town of Atikokan for the Cross Quetico Tour.

Normally known for its world-class wilderness canoeing opportunities, Quetico’s interconnected waterways become a winter venue for a ski adventure like no other.

The details

Cross Quetico Tour skiers

The Cross Quetico Tour is scheduled for March 21, 2020. Transportation to the park and supper are included in your registration fee. Consider staying after supper for a screening of the Reel Paddling Film Festival (organized by the Path of the Paddle Association).

The event is organised by the Beaten Path Nordic Trails in partnership with Quetico Provincial Park. To register or for more information, please visit  or e-mail Chris Stromberg (organiser).

The tour

Quetico skierThe one-day Cross Quetico Tour is a group event where participants are encouraged to stay together over their choice of 35, 45 or 60 km routes that stretch from the town of Atikokan south to the Quetico park boundary, and then east across the canoe routes of Batchewaung and Pickerel Lakes to the tour’s end point at the park’s Dawson Trail Campground.

The Cross Quetico Tour is a true wilderness experience. All trail grooming stops at the park boundary and skiers make their own tracks across the portages and pristine waterways of the park. No matter what the conditions on the day of the tour, the park takes on its own memorable character and skiers get to experience the park in a truly unique way.

Find a map of the route and pictures from past events on the Heart of the Continent website.

A cozy winter retreat

quetico back country cabin in winter -- showing front porch.

Instead of heading home after the Cross Quetico Tour, unwind and spend the weekend (or longer) at Quetico’s Dawson Trail Campground.

Just imagine: after a day of skiing, you kick back in front of a woodstove in a cozy snow-covered cabin.

For more information about cabin rentals or to book a cabin, please call Quetico Provincial Park at 807-597-2735 during weekdays or visit http://www.ontarioparks.com/reservations.

Why not plan a real winter adventure this year?

Cross Quetico Tour skiers

Visit Quetico Provincial Park and the town of Atikokan for the Cross Quetico Tour, or plan any winter getaway at one of the parks cozy cabins!

With almost 30 km of maintained trails and more than 450,000 hectares of backcountry wilderness to explore on ski or snowshoe in winter the opportunities are endless.