Ski Kiwissa

What with flight delays and the rising costs of, well, everything and oh, those lost bags, isn’t it time to consider a winter family vacation closer to home? There are lots of great destinations to enjoy in Northern Ontario year-round, even when the temperatures drop and there is snow on the ground. It’s time to enjoy a weekend skiing Kiwissa in Manitouwadge, Ontario!

Manitouwadge’s Kiwissa Ski Hill offers lots of skiing and snowboarding options for all ages and skill levels. In the fall of 1956, at one of their first meetings, 12 ski hill members voted to dub themselves the Kiwissa Ski Club, honouring a local Ojibway trapping family. Close to seven decades later, the hill is going strong and is, in fact, a focal point and source of great pride for the community. 

Manitouwadge residents say that the ski hill is the reason that they thrive in the winter. You and your family can too! Kiwissa invites you to enjoy its 94-metre vertical drop with 12 challenging runs and a spectacular view of the town. The more difficult runs range from the 375-metre Pine to the 420-metre Girl’s Run, while the easiest include the 800-metre Bunny and the 1000-metre 614. Kiwissa also has a practice hill that’s great for beginners, giving skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels plenty of variety on a single day out. There’s a separate sliding hill that’s free for non-skiers to bring a toboggan and enjoy classic winter fun, and fires are lit every operating day with music to help everyone warm up and socialize. The Kiwissa Ski Club, hardworking and dedicated volunteers, are always onsite for equipment rentals of skis, snowboards, helmets and goggles, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Manitouwadge also celebrates winter off the slopes. Other winter activities in Manitouwadge include cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing/hiking, and snowmobiling, so you’ll want to plan to stay more than a day or two. If you are around Manitouwadge during the holidays, be sure to partake in Christmas events such as the Parade of Lights or the Community Christmas Party.

Frosty Days is an annual 4-day event held over Family Day weekend. Events throughout the weekend include opening ceremonies at the Kiwissa Ski Hill, cardboard box races, live music, community breakfasts and games, skating, and cross-country skiing just to name a few. For updates and complete event details, check the Manitouwadge Community Services Facebook page. The newest event for Frosty Days, kicked off in 2024, is the annual Kiwissa Snowmobile Hill Climb Drag Race, where riders launch straight up the ski hill in a thrilling test of speed, skill, and winter grit.

Winter activities in Manitouwadge will work up an appetite. Lenny Lou’s Bakery offers a truly remarkable selection of delicious sweet and savory snacks and more. Patrons say that they especially enjoy the cheese buns, bacon buns, cinnamon rolls, and date squares. There’s also Village Pizza and Subs and a local haunt (Ambrosia Restaurant) known for its Canadian food menu and friendly staff and a bar/lounge. Brand new to the restaurant scene in Manitouwadge is Grandma’s Place, serving an all-day breakfast along with some tasty lunch and dinner choices. 

Other winter activities in Manitouwadge include cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing/hiking, and snowmobiling so you’ll want to plan to stay more than a day or two. 

Accommodation options include bed and breakfasts, Airbnb properties, and motels, such as the Select Inn Motel and Turner’s Northwoods Lodge in Manitouwadge.