Table of Contents
Notice
Location and Access
Opening Date 
Current Conditions 
Trail Map
Tickets
Volunteering
Special Events
Rentals and Lessons
FAQ
 

 

 

Dakota Ridge is a winter recreation area located on the Sunshine Coast, a short ferry trip from Vancouver. With 12 km of groomed cross country skiing trails and a network of snowshoe trails, Dakota Ridge offers excellent winter recreation for all ages.

 

Dakota Ridge is a user pay system with onsite facilities including a warming hut with fireplace, and an outhouse with eco holding tank. There is a kiosk with a trail map at the trailhead.   Dakota Ridge is patrolled on the weekends by volunteer trail hosts. They are available to answer questions, monitor trails, and help ensure skier safety.

 

Dakota Ridge is a wilderness area with varying weather conditions. Please come prepared for the weather. Also, there are no garbage facilities on site, so please pack your garbage out with you. 

 

Please note that ATV's are NOT ALLOWED in the Dakota Ridge Winter Recreation Area!  Suspicious activity can be reported to the RCMP by calling their non emergency number 604.885.2266 and giving them case number SC 08-9174. You can also call Crimestoppers to report anonymously 1.800.222.8477.

Location and Access
Dakota Ridge is located up Field Road in Wilson Creek on the Sunshine Coast.  The main parking lot is located at the trailhead, 14 km up the forest service road.  The access road is now being 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 4-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES WITH CHAINS.  

Updated road and weather conditions are available by calling 604.885.6802 (Press 5) Monday to Friday.  

• Directions to Dakota Ridge FROM GIBSONS, click here
• Directions to Dakota Ridge FROM SECHELT, click here

Opening Date
Dakota Ridge is now open for cross country skiiing and snowshoeing 7 days a week.

Current Conditions 
Revised April 1st
Please be reminded that operations have shut down for the season, singage has been taken down and the warming hut has been locked.

The road up to Dakota Ridge has snow beginning at parking lot A.  Pease drive with caution and always be prepared with chains.  Because operations have officially shut down, the road has been gated 400 metre below the trail heads.

There is fresh snow on the mountain, however. the last grooming took place Monday March 29th. 

To download the Dakota Ridge Ski and Snowshoe Trail Maps click here. 
 

Tickets
Fees for cross country skiing and snowshoeing are now being charged.  The fee for the ski and snowshoe trails helps to pay a portion of the cost towards maintaining the trails, road and facilities.  To encourage children and families to experience cross country skiing and snowshoeing there will be no fee for children 12 years and under for the 2009/2010 winter season. 

Season passes can be purchased at the following locations:

• In person at either Sechelt Aquatic Centre or Gibsons & Area Community Centre.  (Click on each facility to see hours of operation).
• Online (Seasons passes ONLY)

If you purchase a Seasons Pass online....

• Stop by the Sechelt Aquatic Centre OR Gibsons & Area Community Centre to have your Seasons Pass Card printed. 
• If you can not make it into one of the facilities that day, simply take your online receipt with you as proof of payment.  You can stop by the Sechelt Aquatic Centre or Gibsons & Area Community Centre another day to have your Seasons Pass card printed.

Day Passes can be purchased at all the above locations as well as:

• At the trailhead, once season begins.  Exact fee amount required (no change given).
• Alpha Adventures in Wilson Creek

 Dakota Ridge Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Fees for the 2009/2010 Season

If you are interested in volunteering please click here for a General Volunteer Application or contact the SCRD at 604.885.6802 ext. 0 and we will notify you of opportunities as they arise. 

Special Events
CANCELLED - Unfortunatley Snowfest that was to take place Feb. 21, 2010 has been cancelled. 

If you would like to plan an event at Dakota Ridge, please contact Rebecca Porte, Parks Planning Coordinator, at 604-885-6802.

Rentals & Lessons
Various businesses on the Sunshine Coast offer rentals and lessons. Please check in the yellow pages or search the internet for more information.

FAQ
When is the Warming Hut open?
The warming hut at Dakota Ridge is open from dawn until dusk, seven days a week for the 2009-2010 winter season. No food services are provided so pack in and out what you need.

Can I ski with my dog?
Dogs are not permitted on most of the ski trails for safety reasons. However, there is a 1.5 km trail open to dogs on a trial basis for the 2009/2010 winter season. Dogs must be under control at all times. Dogs are permitted on snowshoe trails and must be under control at all times. 

Where do I get lunch, water, or a snack?
There are no food facilities at Dakota Ridge. You must bring all of your food, water and snacks with you. Please remember to pack out your garbage.  

Can I snowshoe on the cross country ski trails?
No, for safety reasons and the deep snowshoe imprints ruin the cross country ski track set.  There are designated and marked snowshoe trails

Can I walk on the cross country ski trails?
Walking is not permitted on the ski trails as it can be hazardous to skiers and walkers and it has a serious impact on the trails.     

How can I find out daily conditions? 
Regular updates can be found by calling the SCRD Parks Dept at 604-885-6802 (Press 5) Monday to Friday call the SCRD Parks Department at 604.885.6802.  Information can also be found on the Suncoast Central web page.