There are many trails in Ontario and a few around Waterloo. You can find some lists on http://www.canadatrails.ca/xc_ski/xc_on.html or http://wrnsc.org Here you will find first a list of trails renting skis (Most are open during Week-Ends, but you should check the availability for during the week.), followed by a list of other trails where you need to bring your own skis. In the future it would be nice to add a list of shops where you can rent skis for the day, if there are any.

• Laurel Creek Conservation Area (Westmount Road North, Waterloo, (519) 884-6620)
  • Admission: $4 for adults, $2.25 for children 6-14; free for children under 5 Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Ski equipment rentals: $10 for a complete set(http://www.grandriver.ca/index/document.cfm?Sec=27&Sub1=135&Sub2=0)

• Shade's Mills Conservation Area (Avenue Road, Cambridge. (519) 621-3697)
  • Admission: $4 for adults, $2.25 for children 6-14; free for children under 5
  • Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Ski equipment rentals: $10 for a complete set

• Conservation Halton Parks (2596 Britannia Road West, Milton, Ontario, 50mns from Waterloo according to MapQuest):
  • Crawford Lake (crawlake@hrca.on.ca, 905.854.0234)
  • Mountsberg (mtsberg@hrca.on.ca, 905.878.5011)
  • Rattlesnake Point (rattlesnake@hrca.on.ca, 905.878.1147)
  • Hilton Falls (hilton@hrca.on.ca, 905.854.0262)

If you are looking to come often, you might consider buying a pair of cross country skis: you can find a starter package for $300, or even cheaper in sales. Not only will you save the price of equipment renting, but it then allows you to go to a larger selection of trails:

• Schneider's Woods, Wilmot Township (10 mns from Downtown Waterloo, see http://dmcope.freeshell.org/schneider1.htm for a description and the trail map), a lot of ups and downs, a bit tiring but superb.