Skiing

Destination Nackawic has a tight-knit (but very welcoming) community of downhill and cross-country skiers. Visitors travel from all over Atlantic Canada and beyond to be part of it and experience the remarkable skiing the region has to offer.

Crabbe Mountain is an alpine ski hill that boasts the Maritimes’ highest vertical drop. At 260 metres high (853 feet) with 32 alpine trails and glades, Crabbe Mountain is the best spot for downhill skiing in Atlantic Canada.

Located in Central Hainesville, New Brunswick, about 20km from Nackawic (halfway between Fredericton and Woodstock), Crabbe Mountain has something for everyone—from beginners to expert skiers.

Visitors can expect fantastic skiing and snowboarding terrain as well as:

• Fresh snow and/or powder
• Groomed trails
• Glade runs through the woods
• Chairlift
• Jumps and rails
• Ski and snowboard camps
• Private lessons

No ski or snowboard equipment? No problem. Crabbe Mountain has rental equipment (and an on-site retail and repair shop) to help skiers and snowboarders experience the slopes. It also has conveniences like a cafeteria, ATM, and the Thirsty Boot Lounge. It’s the perfect spot for an Après Ski made-in-NB beer or hot chocolate, plus it often hosts live music and other events, too.

The mountain and snow conditions in our region are what skiers and snowboarders dreams are made of. Destination Nackawic experiences consistent temperatures that are cold enough to prevent snow from melting, yet warm enough to keep you from freezing on the chair lift.

Heavy snowfall is common throughout the region during Winter months. With every heavy snowfall comes premium mountain conditions for skiing and snowboarding. The low moisture content and structure of powder following a drastic snowfall gives skiers and snowboarders the sense they’re floating over the snow. Unlike other mountains located in the south of our province, you can experience the magical feeling of floating over fresh “pow” here more often than not.

Not everyone needs or wants a slope when going skiing. Destination Nackawic has plenty of wide-open spaces and forested trails for cross-country skiers to enjoy!

Whether you’re skiing for fun or skiing competitively, cross-country and Nordic skiing are wonderful ways to get fresh air and exercise during the long winter months. Some ski trails even have cabins with wood heat for you to warm up with friends along the way or after your trek.

Most of New Brunswick’s 28 cross-country ski areas are operated by clubs as part of Cross-Country Ski New Brunswick. Nackawic Bend Ski Club clears many of Destination Nackawic’s ski trails, but you can also find cross-country skiing at the Nackawic Golf & Country Club and at nearby Crabbe Mountain.

Crabbe Mountain has over 30 km (18.6 mi.) of cross-country ski trails and snowshoe trails. There are three main networks of trails, most of which travel through beautiful forests:

• Embree Loops (5kms)
• Slippery Mitten Trails (8kms)
• Backcountry Trails (over 20kms)

You can learn more about each trail here.

There are lots of outdoor winter activities for visitors to enjoy, including snowshoeing, sliding and skating. If snowshoeing or hiking outdoors, please refrain from walking on the groomed tracks to keep the trails in great shape for skiers. Stay in your own lane is classic Canadian ski etiquette.

Destination Nackawic embraces winter. We consider ourselves lucky to have four distinct seasons. Don’t hibernate indoors all winter. Get out into the great outdoors on your skis! What trails are you excited to explore?

Explore the beauty…of skiing in Destination Nackawic!