Snowshoe Lending Program

Ten (10) locations of the Greater Sudbury Public Library now have snowshoes to lend out to the public. These snowshoes come in two sizes - kids / youth (generally for ages 6 and up) and adult. Anyone from the public is invited to check them out to try snowshoeing in Greater Sudbury this winter.

Where Can I Pick Them Up

The following GSPL locations have snowshoes:

• Capreol Public Library & Citizen Service Centre
• Coniston Library
• Dowling Public Library & Citizen Service Centre
• Garson Public Library & Citizen Service Centre
• Levack / Onaping Public Library
• Lively Public Library & Citizen Service Centre
• Main Public Library 
• New Sudbury Library
• South End Public Library
• Valley East Public Library & Citizen Service Centre

Snowshoes are checked out on a first-come, first-served basis.

How Long Do I Have Them?

You can check out snowshoes for one week. 

What Do I Need?

You will need to visit one of the nine (9) locations that have snowshoes and use a library card to sign them out. If you do not already have a library card, it is easy to get one.

You will also need to sign a waiver at the library at the time of pick up to borrow the snowshoes.

What If I Have Never Used Snowshoes Before?

This is a great time to try! We have resources to take home that include tips for getting started and there are also some links below to sites that offer snowshoeing tips and techniques.

Where to Snowshoe in Greater Sudbury

There are no hard rules about where you can snowshoe but something to consider is that it works better if the place you are using your snowshoes is not completely packed down like a road or a hard trail. There are many trails in Greater Sudbury that would be ideal to use for snowshoeing but you can also explore areas that are snow-covered (like parks and lakes).

Here is a list of resources if you are unsure where to go:

• Rainbow Routes Association offers a complete list of non-motorized trails in Greater Sudbury - many of which would be ideal to explore with snowshoes.
• Walden Cross Country Fitness Club has snowshoe trails (maps are provided in the patron package) and provides notes on "snowshoe etiquette."
• BioSki Cross Country and Snowshoe Club has snowshoe trails and provide membership and lessons for their trails around Lake Laurentian.

Learn to Snowshoe

There are many online resources to learn how to snowshoe. Here are few:

• Snowshoe Techniques (from MonkeySee)
• Snowshoeing (from MonkeySee)
• Snowshoeing - a few helpful tips!

Snowshoeing with Children

• 3 Tips on How to Snowshoe with Children
• 5 Pro-Tips for Snowshoeing with Kids

This program is offered in partnership with the Healthy Kids Community Challenge and with generous support from the Nickel District Conservation Authority and Rainbow Routes.