Winter Trail Etiquette

Welcome to the Winter Trail Etiquette Guide! Navigating snowy landscapes can be a joy, but it's crucial to follow guidelines for a positive experience. 

In this guide, we'll cover key principles such as respecting wildlife, maintaining trail integrity, responsible waste disposal, and prioritizing safety. By embracing these practices, you contribute to a harmonious winter trail experience. Let's make winter trails welcoming, sustainable, and enjoyable for everyone!

Cross-country skiing signs on a snow-covered forest trail.

1. Obey Signage

Always stay on the official and marked trails. In winter, some trails are designated for only one type of activity, while others are shared.

To find out which trails are authorized for your activity, consult the map or pictograms posted at the trailhead.

Map of the Larocque Woods.

Deer standing on snowy path, person walking in the distance.

2. Be courteous and considerate

The Larocque Woods welcomes people of all skill and fitness levels on its trails. Being kind and courteous is an easy way to make the experience fun for everyone.

  • Keep to the right-hand side of the trail at all times.
  • If you want to pass, clearly and politely communicate your plans to other users so that they have time to react.
  • Let faster users pass.
Yellow sign on tree in snowy forest, sunset in background.

3. Don't walk on ski trails

Walking on the ski trails is never allowed. Our team works hard at setting and maintaining the tracks for cross-country skiing. Walking makes the surface uneven and hardens the trail base, creating conditions that can be dangerous for skiers.

Sometimes a cross-country ski trail crosses a snowshoe, snow bike or walking trail. It is then necessary to give way to people on skis and avoid walking on the marked trail.

All fat bike trails are also snowshoeing and hiking trails, but the reverse is not true. If your snowshoeing or winter biking trail follows a cross-country ski trail, keep to the side to avoid damaging the trail.

Hand in a glove putting something into a snow-covered blue trash can in a snowy forest.

4. Leave no trace

There are waste receptables at key locations along the trails. We also offer bags for which to pick up your dog's excrements. Dispose of your waste properly, to preserve the beauty and serenity of the Larocque Woods.

Trail signs in snowy forest at sunset.

5. Dogs on leash: Allowed on walking trails only

Dogs on leash are allowed only on the winter walking trails. Pets are not allowed on cross-country ski, snowshoe and snow biking trails.

Remember to pick up after your dog, and to take the bag with you - even if no one is looking!