Dreaming of ripping down some of the best snowmobiling trails with your favourite people? Let’s plan a friend-mobiling getaway in Manitoba’s Interlake and make this year’s friend trip one for the Insta reels.
If your perfect winter getaway is the crew riding wide-open throttle on freshly groomed trails and open ice roads, then winding down with a hot soak, great food, and a cozy place to crash beside the fireplace, the Interlake is where you level up.
With hundreds of kilometres of trails, big lake and ice views, and two epic “sledder basecamps” in Lakeview Hecla Resort and KALS Vacation Rentals, we’re built for friend trips that ride hard and relax even better.
Why the Interlake is a Snowmobiler’s Sweet Spot
The Interlake stretches between Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba, and in winter it turns into a playground of groomed trails, frozen shorelines, and wide-open skies.
You can:
> Follow signed, club-maintained trails through forest, fields, and along the lake.
> Make day trips in multiple directions from a single cozy “home base.”
> Pair your ride with small-town stops, local food, shopping trips, and scenic viewpoints.
> Rather than packing up and moving every night, you can choose a home base and fan out from there, or link together a little winter escape.
For sledders who love a bit of pampering after a big ride, Lakeview Hecla Resort is the ultimate winter treat.
Imagine this:
You’ve spent the day carving along the lake trails, wind on your visor, lake ice sparkling under you. You roll back to the resort, park the sled, and trade your helmet for… a robe.
At Lakeview Hecla, you can:
Warm up in the adults-only indoor pool and hot tub. A perfect no-kids zone, or if you just need to soak some sore muscles. Want to bring the whole family? They also have a waterslide & family-friendly pool.
Head to The Launch for some indoor fun: think golf, soccer, and dodgeball, filled with laughs, and a great place to shake off the cold with friends or family.
Settle into the on-site restaurant, where the food is fantastic, and the staff are the kind that remember you, chat with you, and make you feel right at home.
Socialize over drinks or dessert, then retreat to your own room with those classic Hecla views and a quiet place to recharge for the next ride.
It’s a rare combo: serious snowmobiling by day, full resort experience by night. If you’re travelling with a mix of riders and non-riders, Hecla makes it easy; some can hit the trails while others enjoy the pool, The Launch, or a long, leisurely meal with new friends.
If your style is more cabin culture, sleds parked out front, supper in the oven, and stories around the table, KALS Vacation Rentals is your spot. Set along Lake Winnipeg’s west side, these four-season vacation homes are built for groups, families, and friend trips.
If your perfect snowmobile trip looks like big days on the trail and slow, cozy nights in, KALS Vacation Rentals is exactly that.
Highlights of KAL’s offerings include a cozy, modern and spacious A-frame cottage and their recently renovated Boho Lakefront cottage with ample garage space for your snowmobile. Each cottage expertly balances modern comforts with beautiful aesthetics and spa-like features.
At KALS, comfort is not an afterthought:
Sleep like a dream: Two private bedrooms plus a loft, all with queen-size memory foam mattresses, duvets, and hotel-quality pillows. There are also two sectional sofa beds, so there’s room for the whole crew.
Serious kitchen game: A fully outfitted kitchen with stainless apron sink, full-size fridge (plus an extra one), stove, dishwasher, microwave, crock pot, rice cooker, griddle, wine cooler, and multiple ways to make coffee (Keurig, Nespresso with frother, grinder, Nutribullet, etc). Bring your groceries and cook like you’re at home.
Warm, tech-friendly hangout space: Valley Fibre high-speed internet, smart TVs, Chromecast, Google Home Mini, and electric fireplaces at both locations make it easy to gather around after the ride.
Practical perks riders love: Washer and dryer for your gear, water softener and reverse osmosis drinking water, central air (for shoulder seasons), and electronic door locks plus outdoor security cameras for peace of mind.
Outdoor living: Fire pit with a complimentary bundle of firewood, propane BBQ, propane fire table, outdoor seating, and even beach bikes for the non-sled days. Their Boho Luxe Cottage is outfitted with an amazing OUTDOOR SAUNA!!!!!! (pictured below)
Dog-friendly & plenty of parking: Bring the pup, bring the trailers, there’s room.
And Direct Access to Ice Fishing: An immaculately maintained turkey trails lead directly to an idyllic 15-shack ice fishing village.
It’s the kind of basecamp where you can ride hard all day, then come “home” to privacy, real beds, real coffee, a hot shower, and a crackling fire outside or inside, dog at your feet, friends on the sofa, and the snow-glow just beyond the windows.
ITINERARIES | Ride Ideas from KALS to Gimli & Arborg
1. KALS to Gimli & Grand Marais – Shop, Snack, Lake Run
Start from KALS and hop onto Provincial Trail 46 south toward Gimli.
> Roll into Gimli for a bit of shopping, a warm-up stop, and maybe a coffee or bite to eat with the crew at Robin’s Donuts.
> From Gimli, continue your adventure by taking Trail 17 across the lake to Grand Marais.
> Enjoy big lake views, wide-open riding, and that classic “out on the ice with your friends” feeling.
It’s the perfect mix of town stops + lake ride, and an easy day out from your KALS base.
2. KALS to Arborg – Donut Run with the Crew
For a sweet mission, follow Provincial Trail 46 south again, but this time:
> Turn off onto the 303 club trail.
> From there, connect to Trail 300 and carry North on to Arborg. Arborg Bakery is in the heart of Arborg.
Perfect for families, couples’ trips, or a group of friends chasing fresh trails with a sweet treat.
Extra Long Retreat “Ride, Recharge, Repeat” Itinerary
Want to tie it all together? Here’s a simple way to turn these two members into a memorable winter weekend getaway.
Day 1 – Settle In at KALS & Evening Ride
> Arrive at KALS Vacation Rentals, unpack, and get your sleds ready.
> Take a shorter afternoon or evening ride to stretch your legs (and tracks).
> Supper back at the cabin, then board games, hot drinks, and stargazing.
Day 2 – Full-Day Trail Adventure from KALS
> Fuel up with a big breakfast and hit the trails for a full day of exploring.
> Stop in a nearby community for lunch and warm-up breaks.
> Return to KALS, cook supper together, and share stories from the day.
Day 3 – Shift to Spa Mode at Lakeview Hecla Resort
> Pack up and make your way north toward Lakeview Hecla Resort.
> Ride a route that brings you near Hecla, or trailer your sleds and use the resort as your next launch point.
> Check in, trade snow gear for swimsuits, and spend the evening in the pool and hot tub.
Day 4 – Hecla Trails & Wind-Down
> Spend your last day riding the Hecla-area trails and enjoying big lake scenery.
> Wrap up your trip with a final soak, a good meal, and one last sleepy evening by the window watching the snow fall.
Tips for Planning Your Interlake Snowmobiling Trip
Check local trail conditions before you go, and follow all posted signage.
