- Tips -

There was a time when you'd only spot snowshoers or skiers out on snowy winter trails but nowadays they are shared between skiers, snowshoers, fat bikers and dog walkers. And that makes it a little more complex to navigate the rules of trail behaviour without making any faux pas. Especially if you're new to the whole trail experience or winter one! So here are some winter trail tips to consider before your next snowy adventure.
​

© Charlaine Jannerfeldt

* GENERAL  GUIDELINES FOR ALL TRAIL USERS *

1. Learn about trail use rules
Not all trails are to be used for multiple winter sports. Before heading out, make sure to check on the website of the nature park or with the nearest tourism office that your chosen activity is allowed on the trails. And this even includes checking that your four-legged friends are welcomed.

2. When stopped, move off
If you stop to adjust your layers or have a snack, make way for others by moving off the trail.

3. Yield the trail
Uphill travellers always have right-of-way, just like on hiking trails. 

4. Leave no trace
Minimising the impacts of human waste on our trails preserves them and just makes them more enjoyable for everyone. Make sure you to pack out ALL your garbage (taking a Ziplock bag is great for this) and if you need to pee, take a few steps away from the trail and cover it with snow.

* GUIDELINES FOR WINTER WALKERS *

1. Ski and snowshoe trails are off limits
Groomed cross-country ski tracks are made up of 2 parts; one is the rails for classical skiing and the the other flat section is for "skating" skiers. Neither of these should be walked on as it creates potholes which can be dangerous for skiers once they freeze and get hard. Same goes for snowshoeing specific trails.

2. Doggy trail etiquette
​Make sure to keep control of your pooch at all times whether they are on leash where required or under voice control. And please, pick up after them too.

* GUIDELINES FOR SNOWSHOERS *

1. Preserve the rails
​If you are sharing trails with groomed cross-country ski trails, keep off the rails.

2. Single-file for minimal impact
Best practice when sharing groomed trails is to walk single-filed and as far to one side of the groomed track to reduce impact for skiers.

© Charlaine Jannerfeldt

* GUIDELINES FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS *

1. Know the way
Most trails are two-way but not always. For safety reasons, know the trail map (usually available online or at the trailhead) and go with the flow of traffic to avoid a collision.

2. Right of way
Faster skiers have the right of way. If you are slower, step out of the trail to allow the faster skier to pass. As a faster skier you may also yell “track!” to ask for the trail to be yielded to you.

3. Yielding the trail
​If you meet on a hill, the skier going uphill should step to the side to yield the trail to the skier coming down the hill.

* GUIDELINES FOR FAT BIKE RIDERS *

1. Newbie niceties
Riding in the snow with a fat bike is a relatively new sport so make sure that if you head to a groomed trail that fat bikers are welcomed. It's best practice to check-in at the trailhead with ticket office, groomers or nearest tourist office. A courtesy chat will do lots for keeping all users welcome.

2. Always yield to others
​Fat bikes should yield to all other users on multiuse trails, similar to the etiquette for bikes on summer hiking trails.

3. Stay visible
Ride with lights and reflectors especially on multiuser trails.

4. If you're sinking, head back
Groomed tracks need time to settle. Sometimes the snow is just too soft making it difficult to ride and   creates ruts that will hardened once the snow hardens. If you're sinking, best to head back home.