Discussions

Just wondering where is it best to get some cross country skiing here in around brandon? Trails ? And as i new to this, is there enough snow now for it now?

You can get skis at a&l and stream and wood

we use to go to the old Brandon Rec centre/golf club and there were groomed trails there. Also the Brandon Hills and for the more adventurous Carberry Sandhills or Clear Lake trails.

Wondering now is there enough snow or should there be more

The Langford ski trail east of Neepawa is groomed and operating. They have a facebook page. Neepawa and area cross country ski club.  
 
Its a really nice trail. As good as you will find anywhere.

Does anyone know if the trails are carved out for cross country skiing at the rec center (wheat city golf course)?

We went Cross Country Skiing a couple of days ago at the Brandon Hills.  
Hilly, but fun!

No lights visible on the trail at the rec center.  
I just wonder when they open? It would sure be nice to go for an evening ski. Does anyone know where the ski trail starts at the skating oval?

How the heck does anyone navigate cross country skiing in the city? I don't see any signs or any trails at the skating oval I'm just lost

We were at the Rec Centre today and the trails are ok, but not great. We could really use another good dump of snow to get the trails in tip top shape. They used to have lights on the bottom 9 holes in the evening up until 11, but I am not sure about that anymore. You can also try the Brandon Hills, there are 2.5km, 5km and 7.5km trails. If you are feeling more adventurous, Epinette Creek at Spruce Woods has some nice trails but be sure you know where you are going. Riding Mountain also has a number of trails, but with Harper Government cut backs a few years back, they are no longer being maintained as well as they used to be.  
 
Here are some helpful links:  
Brandon Hills trail map: http://www.ccsam.ca/pdf/maps/map_BrandonHills.pdf  
 
Riverbank trail map (includes Rec Centre):  
http://www.riverbank.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/RIVERBANKTRAIL_MAP_condensed.pdf  
 
Spruce Woods trail map:  
https://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/parks/pdf/park_maps/spruce_woods/spruce_woods_map.pdf  
 
 

I can confirm that they do not light the Rec Center trails in the evening currently.

I'm wanting to take up cross country skiing! I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars buying all of the equipment only to learn that I'm not very good and don't enjoy it. Is there a rental place you can rent equipment that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Where else could one find used cross country equipment?

Thank you Mr. Smith for all the info on the trails and the info regarding the lights at rec center. I mainly interested in evening skiing is that the only time I can go once the kids are in bed. I used to enjoy skiing at the rec center when it was lit up.  
Loco4coco: I believe the rent skis at A&L get active 204-727-5817  
I've left a message with the city of Brandon recreation dept and I'll post any findings here  
Thanks

I went out last night after dark and took a headlamp, it did the trick. As far as budget rentals go, campus rec at the BU gym used to rent them on the cheap.

Im going to find out if they will be turning on lamps this year.  
Is there trail at the bottom section nearing the river?

Hi, The city of Brandon informed me that there hasn't been enough snow yet for them to groom a trail at the Rec Centre and that the Light posts are still out of commission since the flood, but are possibly being ?repaired.  
Also, as Im sure many have heard, the skating oval is now open, however, I am unsure of whether there is a groomed ski trail there yet. I will have to look into that