It’s time. . . to embrace winter!
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure, indoor fun or unique seasonal experiences, we’ve got you covered!
The Cornwall region is a winter lover’s paradise, with trails, skating rinks, tobogganing hills, ice fishing spots and so much more to keep you and your family entertained while embracing the great outdoors.
Read on and start planning your winter to-do list. Your next great winter adventure awaits in Cornwall and SDG Counties!
Skating
There’s nothing more Canadian than lacing up a pair of skates and heading out on a fresh sheet of ice!
Outdoor rinks
Cornwall is home to a number of neighbourhood rinks that are perfect for both beginners and avid skaters of all ages.
Weather conditions and the availability of volunteers play an important role in the opening date and quality of outdoor rinks.
Please note a number of the rinks do not have lights.
Rink locations:
Grant Park – Kennedy Drive
King George Park – Seventh and York Streets
Menard Park – Concorde Avenue
Optimist Park – Sunnyside and St. Michel Avenues
Bell Centennial Park – Dundas Crescent
Countryside Adventures
Enjoy a majestic 3 km skate through the forest – and much more – at beautiful Countryside Adventures in Moose Creek! This family-friendly destination is located a short drive north of Cornwall.
For tickets and additional information, check out the Countryside Adventures website.
Hockey
Cornwall Colts
Enjoy some great junior A hockey at the Cornwall Civic Complex with the Cornwall Colts. The Colts are usually in action on Thursday nights (7:30 pm puck drop) as they chase their sixth championship in the CCHL.
To see the full schedule, check out the Cornwall Colts website.
Tobogganing
Feel the rush of speed and the cool air on your face with this favourite Canadian winter pastime!
Grab the sled and hit one of of the many hills in the area for hours of old-fashioned fun.
Some great spots to start include Lamoureux Park (east of the splashpad and west of the Cornwall Community Museum), the hill at the west side of Legion Park on Race Street and Snetsinger Park. The east entrance of the Long Sault Parkway is also a favourite locale for tobogganing enthusiasts.
Snowshoeing
Enjoy a beautiful winter day on one of the many groomed snowshoe trails at the Summerstown Trails, Guindon Park, Gray’s Creek Conservation Area or the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Interactive map of Guindon Park
Cross Country Skiing
Slide away the winter blues and enjoy nature on one of the cross-country skiing trails at the Summerstown Trails, Guindon Park or the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Outdoor Trails
Lamoureux Park
Lamoureux Park is a perfect trail head that offers free parking. From the park you can head west along the Waterfront Trail, offering scenic vistas along the St. Lawrence River and the Cornwall Canal. Heading east will take you past Marina 200, the Cotton Mill District, and St. Lawrence College. If you are looking for a shorter stroll, take the Lamoureux Park Loop which connects you to the waterfall in the Eco Gardens (pictured above), the RCAF Wing, Cornwall Community Museum and Civic Complex. Lamoureux Park is also located in heart of Cornwall, which means excellent dining and shopping are only minutes away!
Guindon Park
Guindon Park is a large waterfront park in Cornwall’s west end that has a number of trail options and amenities. Easily accessed by car or by fat bike via the Waterfront Trail. Trails are great for snowshoeing and cross country skiing and there’s ample parking too!
Click here for the Guindon Park trail map
Gray’s Creek
Gray’s Creek Conservation Area offers a beautiful trail just on the outskirts of Cornwall. There’s free parking and a number of trail options that take you in and out of natural forested areas. Most of the trail is wide, it is easy to traverse and offers a mix of terrain with minimal hills. It does not offer scenic vistas, but does provide a wonderful forest environment. Gray’s Creek also connects to the Cornwall bike path network and the adjacent Waterfront Trail that runs along the St. Lawrence River.
Click here for more information on Gray’s Creek
Additional Trails
You can search for additional trails in Cornwall and SDG Counties by visiting AllTrails.
Fat Biking
If you’re an off-road cycling enthusiast, you’ll find plenty of fat biking trails to conquer in the Cornwall area.
Guindon Park
The expansive park on the western edge of Cornwall is now home to 10.5 km of mountain and fat biking trails that weave and wind through the trees, ponds and hills of this outdoor oasis.
Related: Off-road cycling trails created at Guindon Park
Summerstown Trails
The Summerstown Tails offers 10 km of groomed fat bike trails. These trails are multi use and are shared with snowshoers. For more information please check out the Summerstown Trails website.
Skiing / Snowboarding
Big Ben Ski Centre
Catch some big air this winter at Big Ben Ski Centre! This popular local amenity offers one-on-one skiing/snowboarding lessons, a revamped terrain park and affordable lift tickets.
Click here to visit the Big Ben Facebook page for regular updates.
The hill is open Tuesday to Friday from 5:00 pm to 9 pm and weekends from 10 am to 5 pm.
Located on Seventh Street West directly across from the Benson Centre, Big Ben Ski Centre is open Tuesday to Friday from 3 pm to 10 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
Admission is $15 (all patrons) on weeknights and $15 for a full day and $10 for a half day on weekends. Bundle ticket packages and season passes are also available.
In addition to general admission, Big Ben also offers private ski and snowboard lessons.
Related: Big Ben Ski Centre ready to carve out another season of fun
Curling
The Cornwall Curling Centre serves as Cornwall’s capital for curling during the winter months.
Enjoy one of Canada’s favourite winter traditions at this state-of-the-art facility at 220 Water Street East (next to the Civic Complex). The Cornwall Curling Club offers a variety of youth, social and competitive leagues and they’re also happy to provide an intro to the sport for anyone who may be interested.
To learn more about the curling programs available, visit the Cornwall Curling Centre website or send an email to info@cornwallcurling.ca.
#exploreCornwallON
Looking for additional things to do in the city? Make sure to check out event calendar to find out about upcoming festivals and events in the area!