Here’s Where To Find Ontario Snow Near U.S. Border…
Photo courtesy of ISMA
Related: Top Reasons Americans Visit Ontario
The United States and Canada share a continent. Also, many common interests. Not least is a passion for snowmobiling. When it comes to trail riding, many of Ontario’s most popular areas are within a snowball’s throw of our shared international border. That makes them easily accessible to any American snowmobilers in search of cross border sledding adventures. So where is the closest Ontario trail riding?
Closest Ontario Trail Riding – Why Choose Ontario?
Photo courtesy of Arctic Cat
American snowmobilers choose Ontario snowmobiling for many good reasons. This English-speaking province has a world class trail system operated by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). There’s generally way less traffic on its almost 19,000 miles of trails. Signage, mapping and services are plentiful.
Plus, American snowmobilers can save over 20% on everything thanks to the higher value of your dollar. Best of all, plan to visit Ontario for the Try Our Trails promotion on the first weekend February. Then you can pre-register online for a no-cost, two-day permit (available starting in January). And then extend your Ontario ride by purchasing a multi-day permit (2-day minimum).
Closest Ontario Trail Riding – Border Crossing Info
Getting back and forth across the international border at designated checkpoints is straightforward by road. But be properly prepared. For identification, adults need a passport. Kids need birth certificates. You’ll also need your driver’s license. Plus registration and proof of insurance for your tow vehicle and trailer. Sled owners need registration and proof of insurance, including third party liability coverage. It’s also good to have a specific destination (maybe even an advance reservation). And know how long you intend to stay. Check this site for more info about border crossings.
Best Ontario Trail Riding Near U.S. Border
That being said, here are four popular Ontario snowmobiling destinations handy for American riders trailering into Canada…
Eastern Ontario
Ideal destination for riders from Eastern New York & Pennsylvania.
Photo courtesy of Polaris
This region is now known in sledding circles as the Upper Canada Snowmobile Region. It’s located across the St. Lawrence River from Upper New York State. The area offers almost 2,500 miles of excellent trails that wind through farm country, woodlands and rural villages.
- Recommended Border Crossing From Eastern New York: Alexandria Bay, NY (Thousand Islands Bridge).
- Distance From Border to Nearest Trail: Under 5 miles.
- Where To Ride: Do your own self-guided ride. Or follow the signs for one of the region’s three OFSC-promoted Snow Tours. These are the French Connection Loop (186 mi), the Upper Canada Circuit (162 mi) or the Rideau St. Lawrence Run (150 mi). You can add distance to each of these established circle tours by exploring some of the many side trails or mini-loops along the way.
- Get Info: Upper Canada Snowmobile Region.
Midwestern Ontario
Ideal destination for riders from Western New York, Eastern Ohio & Michigan.
Photo courtesy of Polaris
Positioned on the eastern shore of Lake Huron, Midwestern Ontario is blessed with abundant lake effect snow. It’s also criss-crossed with over 1,800 miles of groomed trails through rolling farmland, backwoods bush and welcoming villages. This snowbelt area is home to the popular Grey Bruce Region, including the famous Bruce Peninsula.
- Recommended Border Crossing From Southern Michigan: Port Huron, MI.
- Distance From Border to Nearest Trail: 75 miles.
- Recommended Border Crossing From Western New York: Lewiston, NY (Lewiston-Queenston Bridge).
- Distance From Border to Nearest Trail: 92 miles.
- Where To Ride: Navigation is easy on this region’s OFSC-promoted Snow Tours. They are Aprés Harvest Tour (134 mi), Huron Gateway Tour (110 mi), Queens Bush Tour (115 mi), Saugeen River Tour (163 mi), and Walters Falls Tour (88 mi). These self-guided tours are adjacent to one another. That means you can ride them individually. Or in whatever combination fits your available time and distance.
- Get Info: Midwestern Ontario; Grey Bruce Region.
Algoma Country
Ideal destination for riders from Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois.
Photo courtesy of Ontario Tourism
Algoma Country offers 2,000 miles of groomed trails. They sweep through the rugged terrain and ancient growth forests of the Canadian Shield. The region stretches from the north shore of Lake Huron into the northern wilderness. Their trails are built on many old logging & mining roads and utility corridors. So Algoma’s snowmobile trails are perfect for big milers in search of two to five-day epic rides.
- Recommended Border Crossing From Northern Michigan: Sault Ste Marie, MI.
- Distance From Border to Nearest Trail: Under 6 miles.
- Where To Ride: Weekenders need look no father than the OFSC-Promoted North Shore Loop (277 mi + 93 mi when staging out of Sault Ste Marie). For a longer ride, head north to Chapleau, Dubreuilville & Wawa (home of Top Secret Boondocking) or go All The Way There to Hearst.
- Get Info: Algoma Sno-Plan Affiliation; Algoma Country.
Northwestern Ontario
Ideal destination for riders from Minnesota & Wisconsin.
Photo courtesy of Ontario Tourism
Everything about Ontario’s Northwest is larger than life. It’s a pristine wilderness of boreal forests and scenic lakelands, where snowmobiling is what winter’s all about. The region delivers over 1,700 miles of TOP trails. They connect every community and services on route. Consequently, this is the place for riders looking to experience a new kind of sledding adventure.
- Recommended Border Crossings By Trailer: Baudette or International Falls, MN.
- Distance From Border to Nearest Trail: Under 5 miles.
- Where To Ride: This destination has two OFSC-Promoted Snow Tours of interest to Americans. One is the NWOSTA Wilderness Loop (563 mi), which takes in 13 of the region’s most snowmobile-friendly towns. Visitors should also check out the White Otter Loop (126 mi) north of Atikokan.
- Get Info: Northwestern Ontario Snowmobile Trails Association.
Other Important Contacts for Closest Ontario Trail Riding
Like This Post? Follow Me on Facebook
Check out more snowmobile tours!
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.
Check out my tour articles in Supertrax!