The Bittersweet trails are operated and maintained by the Bittersweet Cross Country Ski Club. Situated in the Assiniboine River valley, they are a short 1½ hour drive from Winnipeg, 50 km SW of Portage la Prairie on highway 242 between highways 1 & 2, just north of the Assiniboine River bridge at the top of the hill. There are two trailheads – the main trailhead at the Nordic Centre
( https://goo.gl/maps/P9zxYop7xXqG4vaQA ), and the secondary eastern trailhead
( https://goo.gl/maps/ZA6wumQuAbjbyk4U9 ).
The 21K of classic trails and 12K of skate trails are in a hilly wooded area. They are continuously groomed and offer an experience for all levels of skiers, from beginner to expert. The trails range from easy to challenging. To maintain the intimate, woodsy feel of the trails, most of the skate and classic trails are separate to minimize trail width. The skate ski trails can only be accessed from the Oak Meadows Trailhead at the Nordic Centre. Classic trails can be accessed from either trailhead.
There really are hills in Manitoba (Bittersweet video)
Signs at the two trailheads state that dogs are not allowed on the trails.
There is a heated Nordic Centre building at the Oak Meadows Trailhead. It features a large south-facing deck, big windows that overlook the trails, comfortable seating, hot drinks, and (one of the grand ideas from Maplelag Ski Resort) a “bottomless cookie jar”! A Terrain Park is also located at the Nordic Centre.
The wood-heated Ski Hut is located among the trails for your convenience, either as a rest stop or as a lunch spot to meet with your fellow skiers.
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Bittersweet has developed a new map for its trail system. It uses the Avenza Maps app and a georeferenced PDF file (Bittersweet Trails Map). The Avenza Maps app uses your phone’s (or tablet’s) built-in GPS to precisely track your location with a moving blue dot in real time. It does not require cellular service or internet access to function. The app also provides a number of other features, including the ability to zoom in or out, record your track distance and time, drop and label placemarks, attach photos, and more.
To use the Avenza map:
— Install the free Avenza Maps app from Google Play (Android), the App Store (iOS), or the Windows Store.
— Download the Bittersweet Trails Map (2.8 MB PDF). (The map can also be printed or viewed without using the Avenza Maps app.)
— Open the Avenza Maps app, configure Settings from the menu, and import/copy the downloaded Bittersweet Trails Map into the app. Tap the map to begin using it.
Info and support:
— avenzamaps.com
— avenza.com/pdf-maps
The updated map has been printed on aluminum and mounted at all trail junctions. There are also large versions in the Nordic Centre and the Ski Hut.
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Membership to the Bittersweet Cross Country Ski Club can be purchased on-site or by going to zone4.ca and searching for Bittersweet Ski Club.
The club produces a newsletter in the Fall and Winter that it emails to members. Non-members can be added to the distribution list by contacting lynnmcmaster64@gmail.com .
Non-members must sign their names and the date in the registration books provided at our trailheads, and are thus covered as day users by our liability insurance provider for that particular day. Appropriate signage to this effect will now be posted at our trailheads. We thank you for your cooperation in this matter. We hope that the benefits you gain, access to our beautiful trails, will justify the trouble of reading and signing the necessary forms. Also, please make a donation in the locked box to help the club with the expense of operating the Nordic Centre and grooming the trails.
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2023 Events
January 7 Candlelight Ski
Weather permitting, we will hold a Candlelight ski from 7-9 pm. Starting from the Eastern trailhead (The Oaks), the Ski Hut trail will be lit with candles. Please bring headlights for extra visibility, as the candlelight will not provide enough visibility for a safe ski. Once at the Ski Hut there will be a warm fire, hot chocolate and goodies waiting for you. Please check this page for updates close to the event to make sure there are no weather cancellations.
Sunday, Febuary 19
Bittersweet’s annual recreational skiing event is held every year on the Sunday of the Louis Riel long weekend. This year we will be holding a Poker Derby from 12 noon to 3 pm, with chili and refreshments. For more information about this event, see CCSAM’s Events Calendar.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 day, 8 hours ago
SAVE THE DATE: Sunday, Feb. 19. Family Ski Day and Poker Derby.
Free chili lunch with homemade buns, veggies and dessert. $3.00 for a poker hand that you fill by skiing to 3 checkpoints. Best poker hands will win money! Silent auction with some amazing items (I was blown away by the list!!). Poker rally goes from 12 noon to 3 pm, so come for…[Read more] -
lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 5 days, 23 hours ago
All skate trails were groomed today. Classic trails were all groomed except for Big Woods, which we missed, but we will get it skied in tomorrow.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 week, 3 days ago
Bittersweet received 3-4 cm of light snow today. Nevertheless the classic trails are still providing good skiing. With more snow in the forecast Tuesday and Thursday, currently we plan to groom the classic trails on Friday, with the trails skied-in until then.
We plan to groom the skate trails Tuesday afternoon and will assess whether they…[Read more] -
lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 2 weeks ago
We skied all the classic trails yesterday. All are in good shape except for a blow out of the track at the bottom of the hill on Blue Jay. All skate trails in good shape
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Brent posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 2 weeks, 4 days ago
First time at Bittersweet today and it was great! Trails are in great shape, really well signed and the promise of a cookie made the last couple uphills easier! Something for everyone, rolling trails and steep fun ones at the far end.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 3 weeks, 4 days ago
Thank you SOOO much to all who showed up at the Candlelight Ski!!! We had around 40 people, which exceeded our expectations. We had a lot of fun, and hope that everyone there did too! We will be making it an annual event for sure. On a grooming note, skate trails are being groomed as we speak.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Hey all, the Candlelight Ski is a go. The bit of snow we had has slowed the trails down to a normal speed now. Wax for normal temperatures again. Note: Because the candlelight trail will be 2 way, a few spots have had the trail removed (corners, hills) to encourage snow plowing to slow yourself down, to avoid collision with would be oncoming…[Read more]
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 4 weeks, 1 day ago
Skate trails were groomed this morning.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month ago
Remember Bittersweet’s Candlelight Ski this Saturday January 7, 7-9 pm. See details under 2023 Events above.
Classic trails are in good condition. There is a very thin layer of fallen hoarfrost in some trails, but the trails are still very fast and skiers are using grip wax warmer than temperatures would indicate to get good kick. Skate trails…[Read more]
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month ago
Skate trails in excellent condition, except for a few spots with a soft middle. Classic trails all groomed today. In excellent condition.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month ago
Skate trails freshly groomed. Some classic trails are snow filled, others have been skied in. Grooming of classic trails to begin tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month ago
Classic trails range from drifted snow (Caleb’s Way) to good on sheltered trails. Skate trails are ungroomed with 5-10 cm fresh snow.
Grooming today has been delayed due to freezing rain. Current plan is to groom skate trails tonight, and all classic trails tomorrow evening. -
lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month, 1 week ago
Save the date: Jan. 7, 7-9 pm. Candlelight Ski (weather permitting). See details above
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month, 2 weeks ago
All classic and skate trails are groomed and ready to go and in good condition. Nordic Centre is open and there are cookies! Enjoy!!
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month, 2 weeks ago
The east side classic trails were groomed today and are ready to ski (Thanks Scott!). Skate trails are being packed again tonight, and we will hopefully get them groomed tomorrow, along with the west side classic trails. The Nordic Centre will be opened in the morning.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month, 2 weeks ago
Sorry folks trails are not ready yet. Some equipment challenges and the amount of snow we are still getting has delayed grooming. All classic trails are re-packed and ready for grooming as soon as we are able. We will keep you posted.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month, 2 weeks ago
All classic trails have been packed to create a base, but not groomed. Our plan is to groom on Friday after this next snowfall today. Hopefully we will have all trails ready for skiing on Saturday. Further updates will be posted on Friday.
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Apart from trails mentioned in previous post, no other trails have been groomed as snow conditions will not allow for it. Pray for snow!
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 1 month, 4 weeks ago
Northstar (classic) skied-in (not machine groomed). Track is poor due to twigs and grass tufts showing through, many deer tracks, thin and icy sections, one grassy section on top of Reggie’s Run. Track downhill on Reggie’s Run is safe to ski. The Christmas Elves have been out and left some Christmas decorations along the trail. Feel free to com…[Read more]
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lynnmcmaster posted an update in the group
Bittersweet 2 months ago
For the safety of the skiers and the hunters, trails are being kept closed for hunting season until Dec. 4. The reason for this is that some of the trails are on WMA land, where hunting is allowed. We will have them open as soon as we can, dependent on snow, after that date.
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