Cross-Country Skiing / Winter Use

Typically a 5 km groomed trail is maintained by the Valhalla Hills Nordic Ski Club from the trail access at Reiben Rd in Hills to Red House (named for a small old railway house moved to that site). Grooming usually begins around the second week of December and continues to the beginning of April.

From Red house, there is usually a skier-set track continuing toward Summit Lake for varying distances depending upon snow conditions. Local skiers often ski down from the rail trail highway crossing just south of Summit Lake to Hills through the winter, usually a 2-3 hour ski if conditions are favourable.

In early Spring, snow melts quickly along the section from Bonanza Road south along the lake and can be open for walking in April. Trail conditions further north are usually muddy with patchy snow to late April. Concern for awakening bears rises by the 15th of April (or earlier some years with the changing climate). Bear advisories and trail closures may be in place by mid-April in the section northwest from Hills.