Snowshoe Skmana Nordic Trails
The Lady Alliance spent a great day out snowshoeing!
Skmana in All Seasons!
Skmana Lake is truly a four-season playground in the heart of the North and South Shuswap area. In the warmer months, it is a great little family spot to cast a line, paddle around, hike the awesome trails, and enjoy nature.
There are two “twin” lakes, connected by a small but scenic canal with loads of beautiful wetlands to paddle amongst.
The lakes are well stocked with Rainbows and the fishing can be really good!
There is a small rec site with a small boat launch and a dock to enjoy.
Skmana Lake(s) by late summer!
We caught a nice size rainbow just off the dock
Paddling the two lakes!
Snowshoe Skmana
In the wintertime, we love to snowshoe here!
There is approximately 18 km of winter Nordic trails for snowshoeing and skiing around the forest and lake, plus a cute little warming hut to cozy up in and take a break!
The snowshoe and cross country ski trails are well marked, groomed, user and family-friendly.
There is a really good map to take at the cash box. (The user fee is $10 and is cash only).
Download Map Here
The Snowshoe Trails
There are several designated snowshoe trails that lead you through the forest, up along a ridge, along the lake, to a creek, and to the cabin.
The trails are often packed down from other users but if you are lucky you will break a little trail!
The trails offer a lot of ups and downs, giving you a great winter workout!
We covered almost all of the snowshoe trails and it took us about 3.5 hours including driving time from Blind Bay!
Skamana Lake History
“In early logging days, Adams River Lumber Co. diverted the creek, damming the lake to hold logs for a flume that transported logs down to the Adams River. Later, the area was used as a Japanese work camp during WW11 (the old buildings have been bulldozed) and a biathlon training area was set up (although there is no evidence of its actual use) in the 1970’s.”
(Club History, 2022-01-18, https://ski-skmana.com/history/)
Know Before You Go
The road up is a Forest-Service Road (FSR). It is typically in pretty good condition. It is a little winding and can be icy, although every time I have been up there it is sanded and plowed well.
There is a large open parking lot.
Some directions I have found say that the parking lot is at the 8km marker although it is just after the 10km marker on your right when coming from the Holding Road along the Adams River.
Before you go, check their website, they give updated snow reports here: Ski Skmana
Bring $10 cash for the donation box per person as a daily user fee. There is a box a little ways into the main trail from the parking lot. You can’t miss it.
You can light a fire at the warming hut in the designated firepit. They ask that you re-split any kindling you use with the ax and wood provided.
Bring the sleds! There is a great toboggan hill just off the main parking lot for the kids to play on.
A popular ice-fishing destination too! (Don’t forget that you’ll need a BC Fishing Licence.)
Always play safely on the ice. Read all about Ice Safety and the Right Gear here:
Adventure Smart | Ice SafetySkmana Lakes are in a snow belt and often there is more snow than you might expect!
How To Get There:
For directions see here: https://ski-skmana.com
Need Gear: Find that Here
Don’t have snowshoes, don’t worry! You can rent snowshoes for the whole family at John’s Ski Shack or at Skookum Cycle & Ski in Salmon Arm.
Need Gear? Find that Here! To buy or to rent, we have you covered.
Shuswap Gear Guide: Where to Find Locally
The BEST Snowshoeing spots in the Shuswap found here: Snowshoeing Trails in the Shuswap
