Dakota Ridge

Dakota Ridge is a winter paradise waiting to be explored.

Dakota Ridge on BC’s Sunshine Coast is a 1,532 acre plateau featuring 20 kilometres of world-class groomed and track-set cross-country ski trails (classic and skate) and 7 kilometres of snowshoe trails plus acres of backcountry terrain. The trails wind through old-growth forests and open areas in a beautiful subalpine setting. Topping out at 1,200 metres, amazing views of the Coast Mountains, Vancouver Island, and Georgia Straight capture the magic of the Sunshine Coast.
 

Know Before You Go

Dakota Ridge is on a user pay system with onsite facilities that include a warming hut with fireplace and an outhouse with ecologically sound holding tank. A trail map is located at the trailhead kiosk. The area is patrolled weekends during the winter season by volunteer trail hosts who are available to answer questions, monitor trails, and help ensure skier safety.

Dakota Ridge is a wilderness area with varying weather conditions, so visitors should be prepared for winter weather. Garbage facilities are not available on site, so please pack your garbage out with you. Due to safety reasons, there is only one cross-country ski trail where dogs are allowed, though dogs are allowed on snowshoe trails (and must be kept under control at all times). Snowshoeing and walking on the cross-country ski trails is not permitted.

The area is accessible only by vehicles with 4WD and chains. For more information including how to get to Dakota Ridge, trail pass information, a trail map, and more, please visit the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s website. Check the SCRD's Dakota Ridge Facebook page for trail conditions and updates.

For shuttle transportation, snowshoe & cross country ski rentals, tours, and lessons, please visit Alpha Adventures.
 

Current Conditions

Dakota Ridge opened for the season on December 24, 2025. Visit the Dakota Ridge Facebook page for updates on trail openings and closures and other news throughout the winter season.

Thanks to a sponsorship by the Sunshine Coast Community Forest, trail groomers are now using Nordic Pulse, a grooming report system with a GPS Live Grooming App. Dakota Ridge visitors can now see current trail information, including which trails are open and when they were last groomed. Click here to view the latest information on Nordic Pulse.