All The Info Needed For Staging From Cochrane…
Related: Riding the Northern Corridor
Cochrane is an instantly recognizable name in snowmobiling. So why not getaway sometime this winter and give it a try? You can do multiple day rides, staying in the same hotel every night to avoid saddlebagging if you want.
Cochrane Ontario Snowmobiling Staging Location
Polar Bear Habitat photo courtesy of Destination Ontario
The Town of Cochrane (population just over 5,000) is positioned due north from Toronto on Highway 11. It’s about a 4-hour drive from North Bay and 7 to 8 hours from the GTA on good highways all the way. What’s more, Cochrane is big enough to have all the services and amenities you need. But small enough that it’s friendly and easy to get around.
Why Cochrane Ontario Snowmobiling
Photo © by Craig Nicholson
Cochrane has lived up to its reputation for delivering “The World’s #1 Snowmobile Trails” for decades. Meanwhile, this Francophone community has established itself as the gateway community to OFSC District 15’s Northern Corridor Adventure and several OFSC promoted Snow Tours.
Cochrane offers plenty of snowmobile-friendly lodgings and eating choices. That’s one good reason the town is also right up there on the short list of Ontario’s most reliable snow destinations. Another is that it’s riding season usually stretches from December to April. So if you’re looking for the best snowmobiling Ontario has to offer, Cochrane is as good as it gets. This status is in large part thanks to the yeoman’s work done by the Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club.
What’s more, the Polar Bear Riders have also been busy transforming Cochrane into a good family riding destination. Now a series of local loops are perfect for casual family outings. And there’s enough to see in town to keep anyone who isn’t into riding their brains out everyday happy too (see below). Next up for Cochrane, adding more backcountry riding places like Abitibi Canyon for those who like to play in the powder!
Cochrane Ontario Snowmobiling Services
Staging Hotels
- Best Western Swan Castle
- Chimo Motel
- Commando Motel
- Econo Lodge
- Flood’s Landing
- North Adventure Inn
- Station Inn
- Thriftlodge Cochrane South
- Travelodge by Wyndham
- Westway Motel
Snowmobile Dealers & Services
- Bourque’s Auto Sales (Polaris & Yamaha.)
- Cochrane Snowmobile Rentals
- Pap’s Power Shop (Ski-Doo)
- Star Towing
Be Sure to See
Classic Vintage Rider Snowmobile Museum Photo courtesy of Destination Ontario
- In Town – Polar Bear Habitat & Heritage Village, Classic Vintage Rider Snowmobile Museum, Winter Carnival; Chimo Polar Bear Statue, Tim Horton Museum.
- On Trail – Abitibi Canyon (TOP Trail A103), Greenwater Provincial Park lookout (L105), Scenic bridge over Frederick House River (L103) at Zeverly Rapids.
Cochrane Ontario Snowmobiling Day Rides
Photo © by Craig Nicholson
- Southwest – Gateway to North Tour, 215 km on TOP Trails A, C, A106C and L103 (food & fuel in Smooth Rock Falls).
- North – Abitibi Canyon Tour, 303 km on TOP Trail A103 (warm up shelters en route and food & fuel at the Canyon).
- West – Ride 240 km via TOP A to Moonbeam clubhouse for lunch and back (big milers can go all the way to Kapuskasing – 358 km total and back in one day).
- Family Friendly Rides – Cochrane town loops on L109 or L101; east half of Gateway to North Tour (TOP A. A106C & L103); Smooth Rock Falls on TOP Trail A and back with stop at Greenwater Provincial Park lookout on L105.
Cochrane Ontario Snowmobiling Saddlebag Rides
Photo © by Craig Nicholson
Cochrane is also a favourite launching point for a saddlebag tour across the Northern Corridor as TOP Trail A is called in the district. With many loops and local trails to explore along the way, it’s easy to spend several days on the trails before returning to Cochrane.
Ontario law requires a snowmobile entering an OFSC Prescribed Snowmobile Trail to display a valid Ontario Snowmobile Trail Permit.
Cochrane Ontario Snowmobiling Info Contacts
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The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.
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