The Winter Playground North of Winnipeg

Just minutes north of Winnipeg, the RM of Rockwood turns into a winter playground. From frozen marshes and limestone escarpments to community rinks and dark prairie skies lit by the northern lights, Stony Mountain, Grosse Isle, Argyle, Balmoral, Norris Lake, Komarno and Gunton have plenty to keep you outside all season. Here’s where to go and what to do.

Why Rockwood? Five reasons it’s underrated

1. It’s close to the city but feels like the country. Stony Mountain is only about 11 km past the Perimeter. You get dark skies, open prairie and quiet trails without a long drive.
   
   
2. The trails are open to everyone, all winter. The Rockwood Rail Trail, the Prime Meridian Trail and the Interlake Pioneer Trail are shared by hikers, snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers. Many include horses too. There’s no park pass and no crowded parking lot.
   
   
3. World-class Oak Hammock Marsh is right next door. It’s one of North America’s best-known restored wetlands. In winter, it offers guided snowshoe walks, moonlight bonfires and snowy owls, and most people don’t even know it’s there in January.
   
   
4. It’s prime aurora country. Low light pollution gives Grosse Isle, Stony Mountain, Argyle and Norris Lake the dark northern horizons aurora chasers usually drive hours to find.
   
   
5. The small-town character is real. You can skate Sunday mornings in Balmoral for $2, curl at a volunteer-run rink in Argyle, shop the Willow Grove Orchard Christmas market, ring in Malanka in Komarno and snap a photo with a giant mosquito. These communities make visitors feel welcome.

Hit the trails

Rockwood’s trails are mixed-use all winter: hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter biking and snowmobiling all share the same routes.

• Rockwood Rail Trail runs north to south through the RM on a former rail line. About 5 miles southeast of Summit Road is paved, so that stretch is easygoing for a winter walk.
  
  
• Prime Meridian Trail (also known as the Interlake Pioneer Trail) starts in Grosse Isle, runs through Argyle and continues to Fisher River, about 116 km in total. Some sections go by one name and some by the other, but it’s all one trail. Snowmobilers can ride the whole thing, and it’s just as good on skis or snowshoes. Ride a short stretch, or set aside a full day or more.
  
  
• Limestone Park, Stony Mountain winds past limestone cliffs, quarry ponds, wide vistas and open grassland, and it’s one of the most photogenic winter walks in the RM.

Sharing the trail: snowmobiles slow down and give room when passing skiers, snowshoers and walkers. People on foot or skis keep to one side and keep dogs close. Wear bright colours, especially around dusk. Snowmobilers need a valid Snopass, sold year-round by any Autopac agent.

Snowmobile club: South Interlake SnoRiders maintain trails around Stony Mountain, Balmoral and Argyle (southinterlakesnoriders.com).

Fat biking on Rockwood’s trails

Winter biking is one of the best ways to see Rockwood in the snow, and the RM’s trails suit it well. Here’s why it’s worth trying:

• Flat and straight. Rockwood’s trails follow old rail lines, so the grades are gentle and the routes run long and straight. On a winter bike, that means steady, easy pedalling for kilometre after kilometre, with no hills to grind up in deep snow.
  
  
• Free to ride, no park pass required. There’s no gate fee or permit, and you don’t need to book ahead. Just park at a trailhead and go.
  
  
• Pretty quiet. These aren’t busy city paths. Most days you’ll have long stretches to yourself, giving you room to ride at your own pace and a better chance of spotting deer, jackrabbits, owls, and fresh tracks.
  
  
• A great mix of scenery. One ride can take you through sheltered stands of forest, across wide-open snowy fields and into small communities. The variety keeps things interesting, and the trees give you a break from the prairie wind.
  
  
• Communities along the way. Because the trails link towns like Grosse Isle and Argyle, you’re never far from a place to stop and warm up.
  
  
• Want more of a challenge? Head to Stony Mountain. The escarpment around Stony Mountain has plenty of bluffs to roll down, so it’s the place to go for more technical, adrenaline-filled winter riding.

Riding tips: lower your tire pressure for better float, dress in breathable layers, and carry lights because winter days are short. Bikes share these trails with skiers, walkers and snowmobiles, so ride at a sensible speed, call out when passing, and try not to leave deep ruts in soft snow.

Snowshoe the marsh at Oak Hammock

Oak Hammock Marsh (1 Snow Goose Bay, off Hwy 67) is one of Rockwood’s top winter draws. Guided snowshoe walks take you across the frozen wetland to look for animal tracks, jackrabbits and snowy owls. Evening moonlight walks end at a bonfire, and snowshoes are provided. After the holidays, the Marshland Wonderland family day adds crafts and a scavenger hunt. Afterwards, warm up in the café, which looks out over the frozen marsh.

Spots are limited and registration is required, so check oakhammockmarsh.ca for this season’s dates.

Lace up: skating, hockey and curling

Outdoor rinks (community skating when the weather allows):

• Grosse Isle
• Stony Mountain
• Argyle
• Balmoral

Indoor ice:

• Stony Mountain Recreation Centre, 117 School Road, (204) 344-5252: ice rentals, plus learn-to-skate and figure skating with Skate Stony Mountain.
  
  
• Balmoral Recreation Centre, 6014 E PR 236, (204) 467-2620: artificial ice for skating and curling, and a restaurant that’s open all year.
  • Sunday public skating: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Sticks & Pucks: 12 to 1 p.m. on Sundays (full equipment required)
  • Fees: $2 individual drop-in, or $50 for a family season pass, paid at the café
    
    
• Argyle Curling Club, 41 E Provincial Road 323: a volunteer-run, family-friendly rink that’s home to a local coffee shop.

Ice fishing at Norris Lake

Norris Lake, in the north end of the RM, is a local favourite for ice fishing for yellow perch and northern pike. Anglers need a valid Manitoba fishing licence. Always check ice thickness before heading out. Conditions change from year to year, and no ice is ever guaranteed safe.

Chase the northern lights

Rockwood’s dark rural skies, a short drive from the city glow, make it a great place to watch the aurora. Top spots:

• Grosse Isle: the Grosse Isle Heritage Site
  
  
• Stony Mountain: the escarpment gives you a raised view
  
  
• Norris Lake: the open lake gives a clear northern horizon
  
  
• Argyle: along the Prime Meridian Trail or in the community’s green spaces
  
  

Aurora tips: face north, away from yard and town lights, and give your eyes 15–20 minutes to adjust. Check an aurora forecast (Space Weather Canada or NOAA) before you go. Clear, moonless nights are best. Park safely off the road, dress for the cold, and let someone know where you’re headed.

Winter events

• Willow Grove Orchard Christmas Market, Argyle (November and December): shop local gifts and enjoy a festive outing on the orchard.
  
  
• Malanka, Komarno (January): the Ukrainian New Year’s celebration at the Komarno Community Hall. While you’re there, take a photo with Komarno’s famous giant mosquito.
  
  
• Manitoba Winter Trails Day (second Saturday in February): a perfect day to get out on Rockwood’s trails.

Warm up and refuel

• Stony Mountain: the brand-new Tim Hortons and gas bar is the place to grab a hot coffee and fill up before the trails, the rink or a night of aurora watching.
  
  
• Oak Hammock Marsh: the café looks out over the frozen wetland.
  
  
• Balmoral Recreation Centre: a restaurant that’s open all year.
  
  
• Argyle: the general stores and the curling club’s coffee shop.
  
  
• Komarno: the Komarno Quality Store for groceries and supplies.

Before you go

Winter conditions change fast. Check the weather, trail and ice conditions before heading out, dress in layers, and carry a charged phone. Rink hours and event dates depend on the weather, so check with local community clubs and facilities for the latest. Enjoy winter in Rockwood!

Frequently asked questions

How far is the RM of Rockwood from Winnipeg? Not far at all. Stony Mountain is about 11 km north of the Perimeter Highway on Hwy 7, and most spots in this guide are under an hour’s drive from the city.

Do I need a pass or permit to use the trails? No. Rockwood’s trails are free to use and you don’t need a park pass. The one exception is snowmobiling: riders need a valid Snopass on designated trails, which you can buy year-round from any Autopac agent.

What can I do on the trails? The trails are mixed use, so hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, winter biking and snowmobiling all share the same routes. Snowmobiles should slow down and give room when passing. People on foot, skis or bikes should keep to one side and keep dogs close.

How long is the Prime Meridian Trail? About 116 km. It starts in Grosse Isle, runs north through Argyle and Inwood, and ends in Fisher River. Some sections are also called the Interlake Pioneer Trail, but it’s all one trail. You can do a short out-and-back or plan a full-day adventure.

Is Stony Mountain Ski Area still open? Downhill skiing at Stony Mountain has closed. Nearby Limestone Park has trails for walking, snowshoeing and skiing, and Stony Mountain’s bluffs make it the go-to spot for more challenging winter biking.

Is Rockwood good for winter biking? Yes. The rail-line trails are flat and straight, quiet, and free to ride, and they pass through forest, open fields and small communities. For more of a challenge, head to Stony Mountain’s bluffs.

Where can I go skating? There are outdoor community rinks in Grosse Isle, Stony Mountain, Argyle and Balmoral. Indoors, the Balmoral Recreation Centre has public skating Sundays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., then Sticks & Pucks from 12 to 1 p.m. It’s $2 for drop-in or $50 for a family season pass, paid at the café. Stony Mountain Recreation Centre offers ice rentals and skating programs. Outdoor rinks open when the weather allows.

Can I rent snowshoes? Oak Hammock Marsh provides snowshoes on its guided moonlight walks. Spots are limited and registration is required, so check oakhammockmarsh.ca for this season’s dates.

Where’s the best place to see aurora or the northern lights? Try the Grosse Isle Heritage Site, the Stony Mountain escarpment, Argyle’s trail and green spaces, or the shore of Norris Lake. Check an aurora forecast before you go, and pick a clear, moonless night. Face north, away from yard lights, and give your eyes 15 to 20 minutes to adjust.

Can I go ice fishing? Yes. Norris Lake is a local favourite for yellow perch and northern pike. You’ll need a valid Manitoba fishing licence. Always check ice thickness before heading out, because no ice is ever guaranteed safe.

Where can I warm up and grab something to eat? Options include the new Tim Hortons and gas bar in Stony Mountain, the café at the Balmoral Recreation Centre, the café at Oak Hammock Marsh, the coffee shop at the Argyle Curling Club, and the Komarno Quality Store for groceries and supplies.

What winter events are on? Highlights include the Willow Grove Orchard Christmas Market in Argyle in November and December, and Malanka, the Ukrainian New Year’s celebration at the Komarno Community Hall in January. Manitoba Winter Trails Day falls on the second Saturday in February.

How do I check conditions before I go? Winter conditions change quickly. Check the weather forecast, plus trail and ice conditions, before heading out. Rink hours and event dates can shift with the weather, so contact local community clubs and facilities for the latest. Dress in layers and carry a charged phone.