Close
Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area
Dakota Ridge is a winter recreational area on a 1,532 acre plateau that features 20 kilometres of world class cross country ski trails (classic and skate), 4 kilometres of groomed snowshoe trails, 3 kilometres of wilderness snowshoe trails, and a sledding area.
The trails wind through old growth forests and open areas in a subalpine setting. Topping out at 1,200 metres, the facility offers amazing views of the Coast Mountains, Vancouver Island, and Salish Sea.
Updates
Dakota Ridge is officially opened for the 2024/2025 season. Check “Current Conditions” below for snowpack, road condition and available trails.
| Date: Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 | |
| Time: 10:00 AM | |
| Weather: High overcast and 1°C | |
| Snowpack: 50 cm at warming hut. 2cm new snow. | |
| Road: Clear to the top. | |
| Trails: Grooming in progress on Sechelt and Squamish Main, icy conditions. | |
| Please expect marginal early season conditions with exposed hazards and open running water in some areas. |
Click on Nordic Pulse for trail conditions.
| Age | Adults (19+) | Seniors (60+) | Youth (13-18) | Children (12 and under) | Family ** |
| Ski Day Rate | $15 | $10 | $6 | Free | $30 |
| Ski Season Pass | $140 | $90 | $60 | Free | $290 |
| Snowshoe Day Rate | $8 | $6 | $4 | Free | $16 |
| Snowshoe Season | $70 | $50 | $30 | Free | $150 |
| Sledding and other | $6 per vehicle * |
Slide the blue bar to the right at the bottom of the above table for more rates.
Purchase your day pass:
Weekends and some holidays: At Dakota Ridge either put cash in box at trailhead or give cash to a volunteer if available (exact amount required).
Weekends and Weekdays: From Alpha Adventures.
Purchase your season pass:
The Early bird rate runs until December 13. Get 10% discount on your season pass for unlimited skiing and snowshoeing all winter long!
- At the Gibsons and Area Community Centre, 700 Park Road, Gibsons and at the Sechelt Aquatic Centre, 5500 Shorncliffe Avenue, Sechelt.
- ONLINE – starting November 12. Visit Gibsons and Area Community Centre to sign the waiver and get your picture taken.
Notes:
*Flat fee per vehicle for all visitors who are not purchasing a snowshoe or skiing ticket/pass. This fee supports the cost of road snowplowing and sledding area maintenance.
**Up to six people. Maximum two adults. Family Passes must be purchased at Gibsons and Area Community Centre. Online payment is not available for Family Passes. Parents/guardians must sign an Informed Consent Form for each child under 19 years of age.
The access to Dakota Ridge is located at the end of Field Road in Wilson Creek on the Sunshine Coast. At the top of Field Road, turn right onto gravel forest service road then continue for 14 kilometres until you reach the main parking lot.
The access road is plowed on a regular basis, however, winter conditions should be expected on the road. Due to the nature of the road, access is restricted to four-wheel drive vehicles with chains or you can use the shuttle service offered by Alpha Adventures. All terrain vehicles are not permitted in Dakota Ridge.
Directions to Dakota Ridge FROM GIBSONS
Directions to Dakota Ridge FROM SECHELT
Dakota Ridge has an onsite warming hut with wood stove and an outhouse with an ecologically sound holding tank.
Volunteer trail hosts are available on weekends to sell day passes, answer questions, monitor trails, and help ensure user safety.
Garbage facilities are not available on site, so please pack your garbage out with you.
With the exception of the Sechelt Main cross-country ski trail, dogs are not allowed on any other cross-country ski trails. Dogs are permitted on snowshoe trails and must be under control at all times.
A number of businesses on the Sunshine Coast offer equipment rentals and lessons. Please check in the Sunshine Coast Yellow Pages or search the internet for business locations.
The Dakota Ridge Nordics Ski Program is a fun way for kids to learn basic cross-country ski skills.
Dakota Ridge would not be possible without the help of volunteers. If you wish to volunteer please complete the volunteer application form or contact us at 604-885-6802.
Commonly asked questions
The warming hut at Dakota Ridge is open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week for the winter season. No food services are provided so pack in and out what you need.
Dogs are not permitted on most of the ski trails for safety reasons. However, there is a 1.5 kilometer trail open to dogs for the winter season. Dogs must be under control at all times. Dogs are permitted on snowshoe trails and must be under control at all times.
Food facilities are not available at Dakota Ridge. You must bring all of your food, water and snacks with you. Please remember to pack out your garbage.
For safety reasons, and to avoid deep snowshoe imprints on the cross country ski track set, snowshoes are not allowed. There are designated and marked snowshoe trails.
Walking is not permitted on the ski trails as it can be hazardous to skiers and it has a serious impact on the trails.