Winter Trails

Snowshoe & Cross Country Skiing In Inverness County

In the winter, the trail becomes a wonderland suitable for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Many of these great trails are groomed as conditions allow. There are many other great places to ski or snowshoe both signed and unsigned. A sample of great ski and snowshoe trailheads are located on the map. Remember to plan your route, travel with others, and carry water and a cell phone.

Plan am outing on different sections each day with friends  and other skiers. You can rest and replenish yourself at a variety of diners near county trails. There are dozens of restaurants, pubs, motels, cabins and B&B’s  that remain open year round throughout the County to cater to winter travelers & snow seeking vacationers.

Municipality of the County of Inverness Recreation Dept. 902-787-2274 375 Main St., Port Hood www.invernesscounty.ca

Should you require snowshoes and cross country ski rentals contact The Municipality of the County of Inverness Rec. Dept  at 375 Main Street Port Hood. They have dozens of sets of cross country ski and snowshoe equipment for all ages. Please call 787-2274 to reserve.

SKI & SNOWSHOE RENTAL COSTS:
Skis – $3/day $5/weekend Snowshoes –   $1/day
Walking Poles – $5/ 2 weeks
Damage deposit: $50/set, $150/ family, organizations and schools. 50 pairs Child & 50 pairs adult

Weekend rental includes picking up the equipment by 3 pm on Friday and returning it by noon on Monday.  A damage deposit is required at time of pick-up and will be refunded when the equipment is returned in satisfactory condition. A family rate is available.

Also available is a cross country ski track setter(groomer). This can be used with a snowmobile to create a beautifully groomed ski track! Come try it out free of charge (Damage Deposit required)

Under the Winter Active Campaign, the Inverness County Rec/Tourism Dept. offers assistance to community organizations willing to organize outdoor/indoor activities or events. This Winter Active Campaign is a great opportunity to bring together your neighborhood, community, family and friends to beat the winter blahs.  The event must be open to the public and promote physical activity and of course involve lots of fun. Contact the staff at the Rec/Tourism office for more information. 902 787-2274

Take the Roof off Winter Campaign. This is Nova Scotia’s winter active campaign designed to help Nova Scotians of all ages improve their health and quality of life by being outdoors and active this winter! To find an event, register your event, sign up for free red toques and more go to: http://taketheroofoffwinter.ca

Welcome to the “Renowned Snowmobiling Region” of Inverness County!

Inverness County enjoys the longest season of great snow conditions annually in Nova Scotia. Local groomed trails extend from Port Hastings to the border of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The abundance of snow allows great snowmobiling experiences from  early December to late April almost every year. These extended conditions can be found in the northern Highlands region.

Visiting snowmobilers require a valid SANS trail permit to access the provincial trail system. Trail permits are available from County Snowmobile Clubs and various snowmobile service providers and businesses throughout Inverness County. Please see individual club listings below for trail permit purchase info.

Trail users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Nova Scotia Off-Highway Vehicle Act to avoid an unwanted interruption from an enforcement official or a SANS Trail Warden. The SANS and our 21 regional snowmobile clubs heavily endorse Zero Tolerance in regards to Drinking and Riding. Please take the Zero Tolerance pledge “Zero Tolerance I say, ’til I’m Done for the Day! Help us keep our trails safe and enjoy another day.

Snowmobile Trail Guide in Inverness County– SANS Zone 1 (click)

SANS Information Link (click)

Inverness County Snowmobile Trail Management Clubs(5):

1) Cape Clear Snowmobile Club:

Contacts:

Harold Gillis 902-625-1420

Richard Jamieson, 902-625-2580

Trail Highlights: The Cape Clear Clubhouse is located 2 miles from the Trans-Canada Highway on River Denys Mountain. 320 Km (200 mi) of groomed trails leading to Ports Hastings, Inverness and Whycocomagh and into the Cape Breton Highlands where food, gas and accommodations are available with lots of sites. Cape Clear currently has over 40 active members.

Trail Permits available for purchase from the following vendors:

Babins Service Center, 902-345-3161, Industrial Road, Box 51, Louisdale, NS B0E 1V0

MacAulays Service Station, 902-756-2330, Whycocomagh, Inverness Co, NS B0E 3M0

Richard Jamieson, 625-2580, Troy, NS

Len Hart, 902-625-0031, 718 Granville Street, Port Hawkesbury NS, B9A 2N6

Snowmobile Friendly Service Providers:

United Rentals, 909-625-2232, Port Hawkesbury, NS

Babins Service Center, 902-345-3161, Arichat, NS

2) Alpine Snowmobile Club:

Contacts: Leonard Tobey 902-787-2232 or 902-787-2666 (w)

Trail Highlights: Abandon rail line Celtic Shores Coastal Trail section of Cape Breton’s Trans Canada Trail. Follows an inland network of spectacular winter trails touring along rivers and tidal waters, across steel trussels and decked bridges. Joining trail from Cape Clear Club and Inverness Capers Route #105

Trail Permits available for purchase from the following vendors:

Ceilidh Fishermen’s Co-op, 902-787-2222, PO Box 99, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0

D. F. Beaton’s Service Center, 902-787-2078, Port Hood, NS B0E 2W0

Ed’s Hydraulics, 902-945-2231, Rt.#19, Mabou, NS, B0E 1X0

Snowmobile Friendly Service Providers:

Judique Service Center, 902-787-2977, Rt. #19, Judique, B0E 1P0

D.F. Beaton Service Center , 902-787-2078 Port Hood

Port Hood Co-op, 902-787-3311, Port Hood, NS, B0E 2W0

Seaside Conveinence Store, 902-787- Port Hood, NS

Archies Esso, 902-787-2784, Rt.#19, Mabou, NS,

Fresh Mart, 902-945-2084, Rt.#19, Mabou, NS

Admiral Tavern & Dining Room, 902-787- 3494, Port Hood, NS

The Mull Restaurant, 902-945-2244, Rt. #19, Mabou, NS

Mabou River Inn & Restaurant,  902-945-2356 Mabou

EVENTS:
1st Weekend Every March: Alpine Weekend Rally. Start @ Glencoe Station at noon on Saturday.

Mass on the Mountain First Sunday at 2 pm.

Early April: Annual Auction & Entertainment Night.

3) Inverness Capers Snowmobile Club:

Contacts:

Jerome MacEachern 258-2219

Dale MacLean – 902- 258-2575

David MacLean- 902- 258-3236

Club Info: The Inverness Capers are a 30 member snowmobile group with a trail system of approx 120kms. With their scenic trails of the Highlands, woodland, open fields and old railway beds your sure to get a taste of all types of snowmobile riding.

2012/13 Trail Permits available for purchase from the following vendors:

Shean Co-op Ltd, 902-258-2789, 15856 Route 19, Inverness, NS, B0E 1N0, 

Snowmobile Friendly Service Providers:

Inverness Ultramar (Lawrence Beaton), Central Ave, Inverness, NS

MacInnis Irving (Gary MacInnis), 902-258-2929, Central Ave, Inverness, NS

4) Margaree Highlanders Snowmobile Club:

Contacts: Darrell Taylor 248-2244

Trail Permits available for purchase from the following vendors:

Laurie Cranton, 902-248-2726, 184 Cranton Cross Road, Margaree Centre NS,

Earl’s Manufacturing, Earl Arsenault, 6141 Cabot Trail, Margaree, 902-248-2344 

Eddies Small Engine Repair, Eddie Phillips, NE Margaree NS, B0E 2H0, 902-248-2283

Ingrahams Irving, Fletcher Ingraham, 180 Margaree Centre, Margaree NS, B0E 1Z0, 902-248-2629

5) Highland Trail Groomers Association

Contacts: Glen AuCoin (902)224-2100 (President) Jean-Guy AuCoin (902)224-1880 (Groomer)
Phillip AuCoin (902)224-1862 (Signs & Safety)

Trail Permits available for purchase from the following vendors:

Aucoin’s Mobility, Glen AuCoin, 902-224-2100, 14803 Cabot Trail Road, Cheticamp NS, 

Shawn LeBlanc, 902.224.2422, 1196 Cheticamp Back Roads, PO Box 840, Cheticamp NS, B0E 1H0

John Guy AuCoin, 902- 224- 1880, 1037 Cabot Trail Road, Cheticamp NS, B0E 1H0

Snowmobile Friendly Service Providers:

H. Cormier Service Station, 902-224-2315

Chiasson’s Irving, 902-224.2321

Restaurant Evangeline, 902-224-2044

Doryman Beverage Room, 902-224-9909

Tim Horton’s, 902-224.1212

Wabo’s Pizza, 902-224-3756

Big Intervale Fishing Lodge, 902-248-2275

Club Sportif Acadien, 902-224-2422

Les Cabines du Portage, 902-224-2822

Pilot Whale Chalets, 902-224-1040

For More Snowmobiling Information: SANS Information Link (click)