Hiking
Hiking
GEORGIAN NORDIC OUTDOOR ACTIVITY CENTRE
THE SNOW HAS ARRIVED AND THE TRAILS ARE CALLING!
Is anyone else super pumped that the snow is on the ground and some of our favourite cross country ski trails are open even before the chubby guy in the red suit makes his appearance ?
Winter has arrived here in Muskoka/Parry Sound and Georgian Nordic is all fired up and ready to provide another great season of skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking. If you’re already familiar with Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre (GNOAC) then you know what a gem this place truly is.
Good news... Its about to get even better!
800 ACRES OF RUGGED CANADIAN SHIELD
Well known as a world class cross country ski destination the centre also stands out as a destination for both mountain and fat biking, attracting people from all over the province and beyond. GNOAC offers over 30 kms of groomed classic and skate ski trails, a new performance loop, as well as 15 km of snowshoe trails, and 20 km of dedicated fat bike trails. Some of these trails are multi use so there are several interesting options when choosing your route. The club has added and improved trails for the 2024 season and John and I can’t wait to check them out.
The trails are well marked for easy navigation and the staff and volunteers put a lot of effort into keeping them well maintained. The terrain, typical to the Georgian Bay area is rocky and irregular with beautiful scenery. Trails range from easy through difficult with loops of varying distances, accommodating all levels of ability.
Georgian Nordic is an easy drive of under 15 minutes from the town of Parry Sound, just off hwy 124 on Nine Mile Lake Road. It’s even under 2 hours from Barrie making it a great place to visit for the day or longer.
Equipment rentals are available as well as lessons for those who are new to a sport or for those looking to advance and perfect their skill level.
Don’t forget to go to their website and Facebook page for important rental and lesson information as well as to stay informed about events and updated trail conditions before arriving.
A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION POWERED BY VOLUNTEERS
Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre is a non profit, charitable organization run with the assistance of more than 60 committed and enthusiastic volunteers. This group of people do an amazing job running GNOAC. Memberships, day passes and donations are essential to GNOAC, providing funds for the logistics of the centre including maintenance and further development. Be sure to register when you arrive. Memberships and day passes are reasonably priced and required by everyone who uses the facilities. Passes are available on line so that once you check in at the Jackrabbit Burrow or at the kiosk, you're good to go. Throughout the winter GNOAC can be an exciting place. The ski club runs its weekly Jackrabbit and Racing Rabbit programs. The centre is also home to the Junior Ski Team.
To possibly tweak your interest a little more a few popular events hosted by Georgian Nordic are the Ontario Masters Cross Country Ski Challenge, the Sounder Ski Tour and the Rotary Ski- a-thon Challenge. These and other various events throughout the season all support the club and or the community. So come and have some fun and get involved!
Georgian Nordic is celebrating its 40th year as a ski club this 2024 season. During the past few years community support and over-all use of the centre has grown rapidly. This is great news as it means more people are getting out and enjoying outdoors activities all year round. GNOAC has a plan for expansion, launching a 3 year campaign to support this growth and accommodate the needs of the centre and of the community. Through government grants, a generous anonymous donor and various other donations and fundraisers the Future Fund is aiming to meet its targeted goal within this time period.
What’s in the plan you ask? This is the best news...expansion and improvement of all of the trails. That means making already great trails even better with the acquiring of updated grooming equipment, better suited to changing snow conditions. This means improving hiking and biking trails as well as the ski trails, for an awesome experience year round.
How to Get There
John and I are already passionate about Georgian Nordic and although we haven't personally explored all of the snowshoe, hiking and biking trails at this point, and aren't yet experienced riders, those trails we have enjoyed by ski, bike or foot never disappoint.
A new spacious pavilion is in the plan to accommodate all members and day users, school groups, team races, special events as well as other community events. The pavilion will offer both indoor and outdoor places to gather for every day use or for group gatherings.
You can find more information at GNOAC.com/donate . The Future Fund Flyer provides full details on the campaign supporting the expansion and improvement of its trails and facilities.
John and I became annual members of GNOAC as Georgian Nordic is one of our favourite places to go to for all our trail related activities. We’re excited for all that’s going on at the centre. Most of all, we just can’t wait to get out and enjoy our first ski of the winter!
See you out there!
Sue Jamison
Georgian Nordic Trail Map
