I’ve always believed there’s a difference between riding and riding right. It’s not just about snow under the skis or the hum of the engine. It’s about immersion—the kind of ride where time blurs and the world becomes a tunnel of snow-covered trees, crisp air, and the simple clarity of throttle and trail. That’s the kind of experience I had snowmobiling in Sudbury, Ontario.
Sudbury’s not just a city. In the winter, it becomes something more—a launchpad, a living, breathing network of snowmobile trails that spread out like veins across the northern wilderness. There are 1800 kilometres of snowmobile trails in the Sudbury district. From any of the seven staging areas in the city, you can ride in any direction here, and the deeper you go, the better it gets. Head north and you can ride all the way up to Timmins or Cochrane; east to North Bay; west takes you to Sault Ste. Marie. If you want to stay closer to “home”, there are easy day trips to Killarney, Manitoulin Island, or French River.
There are three excellent loop tours (The Chiniguchi Wolf Loop- 223 km, The Cartier Moose Loop - 253 km, and the Rainbow Elk Loop - 225 km) as well as a wide variety of trails. Twisty, and challenging ones for the seasoned pros and wide open lakes and scenic lookouts for riders of all types looking for a weekend trip that’s got it all.
We rolled into town on a Monday morning, sleds in tow and coffee in hand. First stop: Hiawatha’s, a cozy local haunt that straddles both trail stop and hometown pub. That’s where we met Larry Berrio—musician, sledder, and walking embodiment of Northern Ontario passion. Larry’s stories roll out like trails themselves—fluid, unfiltered, and full of character. He’s the kind of guy who tells you what corner to hit fast and which one hides a view that’ll make you stop your sled and stare.
Our warm-up ride to the Big Nickel felt like a rite of passage. There’s something about parking your sled in front of that iconic monument that makes it official: you’re in Sudbury now. You’re riding where generations have carved snow paths through the Canadian Shield.
We bunked at the Moonlight Inn & Suites—a sledder’s dream with direct trail access. I’ve stayed in plenty of “sled-friendly” motels before, but the Moonlight gets it. Their parking lot, when the snow hits right, turns into a lineup of trail-worn sleds and trailers. From your room to the trails groomed by the Sudbury Trail Plan, it’s a matter of seconds.
That first major loop took us up to Cartier’s legendary Moose Loop. This is Sudbury’s bread and butter—fast sections, sweeping turns, and plenty of photo-worthy stops. There are eight warming stations in the area. The one we stopped at on the Moose Loop had it all: a firepit, benches, outhouse, and even grates for cooking your own trailside lunch. It’s not just a place to stop—it’s part of the experience.
After the ride, we settled in at MIC—Made in Canada for dinner. With its log-house interior and hearty fare, it was the perfect end to a perfect ride. (Tip: try the poutine—you earned it.)
Day two brought us to the Northland Motel in Azilda, another go-to for snowmobilers with its unbeatable trail access. From here, we hit the Rainbow Elk Loop out toward Killarney, a trail we’d heard whispered about all week. It didn’t disappoint. Think frozen lakes, dense forests, and those open ridge views that make you feel like the only person on Earth.
The camera drone caught breathtaking shots over Science North, another Sudbury icon, sitting right on Ramsey Lake. Whether you’re a science buff or not, it’s worth visiting—even just to see how this architectural gem fits into the snowy landscape.
On our last day, we stopped at The Windy Lake Motel, a reliable stop for gas, food, and trail talk. It’s also one of the preferred staging areas for the local groomer operations—another testament to the quality of the trails in the region.
Sudbury gives you what you need: reliable snow, well-marked routes, and real community. These trails are more than just routes—they’re relationships, carefully tended by local clubs and volunteers.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or logging your 5,000th kilometre of the season, Sudbury welcomes you with open arms and wide trails. You’ve got a range of trailside accommodations and restaurants, three top-notch tour loops, and beautiful trails in every direction. All this less than four hours north of Toronto. It may not have actually been a city built with snowmobiling in mind, but if you were to design one, Sudbury would be the blueprint.
Planning Your Ride:
