Gliding Through Winter with the Bruce Ski Club

The Bruce Ski Club operates some of the most scenic and affordable trails in southern Ontario. With over 25 kilometers of trails, people of all ages can access these beautiful trails, whether they are experienced or just starting out. The Bruce Ski Club has two trail heads: The Sawmill Nordic Centre in Hepworth and the Colpoy’s Ski Trail northeast of Wiarton. The Sawmill Nordic Centre is the clubs most popular location, offering trails for novice and advanced skiers, there is even a lit loop for night skiing and snowshoe trails through the forest.

The Bruce Ski Club officially formed in the 1980s and has grown in many ways since. The 2025 membership numbers now exceed 900, and at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic the club had reached more than 1300 members. “Cross country skiing is a sport people of any age can enjoy,” says Bruce Ski Club member and volunteer David White. “You can ski as a family with young children, slowly in the forest enjoying nature or skiing fast and dreaming of winning the Olympics,” says David. Adding, “skiing can be enjoyed at your own pace. Skiing is outside and you can enjoy fresh air and nature while you participate in an activity that helps both your physical and mental health.” David has been skiing with the Bruce Ski Club since 1995, and says the sport is very encouraging and that people are kind and supportive of those on the trail and in competition. The Bruce Ski Club is the home club to two Special Olympic Ski Teams. The Waxwings and Snow Gliders are teams for youth and adults with intellectual disabilities. They compete provincial and national level competitions. The club is also the home club for Julian Smith, a member of the Canadian Cross Country Ski Team and former Georgian Bluffs resident. Julian spent his youth skiing in the Jackrabbit Ski Program and competing with the local race team Georgian Bay Nordic, now pursuing cross-country skiing as a career.

The Bruce Ski Club operates on land provided through partnership with private landowners and community
partners, such as the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, Kiwanis Club of Owen Sound and the Township of
Georgian Bluffs. “We are grateful for these partnerships as without them we would not be able to have ski trails,” says David.

Through this partnership the Bruce Ski Club offers Georgian Bluffs residents a chance to ski for free three times per season, this year these days fall on the first Sunday of January, February and March. To take part, visit one of the two trailheads and fill out the registration form. Be sure to write “Georgian Bluffs Free Ski Day” under the payment section. As you prepare for a day of cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, please be mindful of others on the trails and take care to preserve the natural environment. The Bruce Ski Club is run on the dedication and commitment of volunteers. The club has approximately 140 regular volunteers, including running the Jackrabbit Ski Program for children, developing new trails and maintaining current ones.

If you would like to get involved in the Bruce Ski Club visit their website at www.bruceskiclub.ca. Individual and family memberships are available, and day passes can be purchased for non-members. Check the forecast and trail conditions before heading out and enjoy your time skiing or snowshoeing with the Bruce Ski Club!