Park Activities
Grooming of the Three Pond Barrens and Pippy Park trail systems benefits many different activities. In the winter especially, you might pass by people skiing, snowshoeing, trail running, and fat biking - all on the same trail!
Winter Biking
The sport that started us on this crazy journey. Fat biking has exploded in popularity over the past decade, and the Three Pond Barrens / Pippy Park trail system is where most of the action happens.
Fat bikes allow you to get out in wide range of conditions. But, when the trails are hard and sinking isn't an issue, you'll see many mountain bikes with smaller width tires throughout the park as more people are able to get out and enjoy nature on two wheels.
Skiing
There is a long history of skiing in Three Pond Barrens; while exploring the trail system you'll notice many ski trail markers throughout. There are some well established loops around the ponds which are very well used when conditions are right.
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Or head on in with a pair of OAC skis and make your own trails!
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Don't have your own skis? North Bank Lodge in Pippy Park rents skis at a reasonable price. Click here for details.
Snowshoeing, Walking and Hiking
There are so many options for this who wish to experience the park on foot. Snowshoers can enjoy the well packed trails, but also go off trail after a fresh snow fall for a little more of a strenuous effort. Year round you'll see walkers and hikers exploring the nooks and crannies of the trail system - just be sure to watch when the snow is soft as sinking while walking on the trails can harm the trails for all trail users - and does not make for an enjoyable walk.
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Don't have your own snowshoes? North Bank Lodge in Pippy Park rents snowshoes at a reasonable price. Click here for details.
Trail Running
The trail running and running communities have embraced the well groomed trails of Three Pond Barrens recently. In the winter when the trails are hard, TPB is a great way to get a run in nature, in conditions similar to road running.
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(In the video here, Peter Thompson runs through the first section of Chainsaw Trail)
Night Time Fun
There is truly something magical about experiencing the groomed trails at night. Wearing a headlamp and biking through the park at night is an unforgettable experience.
