The slopes and lifts are open to folks with their own equipment, but the Kiwissa Ski Club regrets to inform the community of Manitouwadge that downhill ski and snowboard rentals will be unavailable for the 2023 ski season.
Kiwissa, named after a local Ojibway trapping family, was first founded in 1956. It is the only ski hill between Sault Ste. Marie and Terrace Bay, and the most extensive. It has grown significantly from the original three runs to 10, serving all levels of experience, from easy (Green) to the much more challenging Black Diamond runs, coveted by the daredevils and thrill seekers of the sport. This year, the staff has created some new trails to explore and will be working on setting up a terrain park for extra fun.
The ski chalet, a fixture since the sixties, was closed a couple of years ago due to structural issues. In January of 2022, the Township proposed that a feasibility study be conducted to look into the construction of a new chalet, which would operate on a year-round basis. This study has not yet taken place. Instead, trailers will serve as a warm-up shelter, washrooms, and a ticket booth where skiers can purchase lift tickets and snacks but only cash will be accepted. Daily passes and memberships can also be purchased from the Township office. Daily passes start at $15.81 for juniors and $25.50 for adults, but a discounted rate is available for a six-ticket package or seasonal membership.
Brad Law (qualified ski lift operator), Brent Barrett, (ski lift mechanic-in-training [SLM-T]) and a staff of seven lift operators and ticket sellers will be working hard to create a safe, pleasurable experience for local skiers and visitors alike. The hill is open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. Also be on the lookout for special events, such as night runs and Frosty Days festival fun on the slopes. More information can be found in the monthly editions of the Township’s newsletter, ‘The Boreal.’
For those who prefer their winter sports on ice, a public skate, sponsored by GC Newton Wealth Management, takes place on Saturdays from 1:00-2:00 pm. Shinny games are played on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m., and Sundays from 1-2 p.m., at a cost of $2 per player. Helmets and gloves are mandatory, and shin pads are recommended. There is also cross country skiing and snowshoeing with the Manitouwadge Northern Trails ski club.
