As anyone who has experienced Ontario snowmobiling in OFSC District 15’s Northern Corridor already knows, this area of Northeastern Ontario delivers some of this province’s best and most reliable snowmobiling, plus a long season. The Town of Cochrane is the eastern staging point for your Northern Corridor ride and my favourite lodging is the Thriftlodge Cochrane South. Besides great grooming by the Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club, here are my top ten reasons for choosing the Thriftlodge Cochrane as my staging hotel…
10. Communications: The Thriftlodge offers free and reliable Wi-Fi, phones in rooms and new TV’s with service that includes The Weather Network.
9. Hot Tub: The Thriftlodge may have the best hot tub in town – large and hot!
8. Restaurant: Terry’s Steakhouse is the on site restaurant at the Thriftlodge.
7. Renovated Rooms: The Thriftlodge is currently undergoing a major renovation to its rooms. All rooms have fridges and microwaves.
6. Truck & Trailer Parking: The Thriftlodge offers plenty of secure truck and trailer parking close to your room.
5. Snowmobile Parking: The Thriftlodge provides a fenced and gated, secure sled lock up for those who choose not to park in front of their own room
4. Fuel Nearby: There’s an Esso station right across the road and for after hours, a 24-hr truck stop 1,000 metres south.
3. Location by Trailer: Driving northbound on Highway 11, the Thriftlodge is easy to find – it’s the first hotel you’ll come to before arriving in town.
2. Location by Snowmobile: The Thriftlodge is positioned at the intersection of TOP A and Highway 11, so if you’re arriving by sled from the south, it’s the first hotel you’ll come to before arriving in town.
1. Great Rides from The Door: From the Thriftlodge, you can do days rides in every direction. Eastern return ride east to La Reine, Quebec for lunch & fuel via A105Q (330 km total).
Northern loop to Fraserdale (Abitibi Canyon) for lunch & fuel via TOP A103, continuing on A103 to Smooth Rock Falls (fuel) and back to Cochrane on TOP A (300 km total).
Western loop via TOP A, L103, TOP A106C and TOP C to Smooth Rock Falls (lunch & fuel), then back to Cochrane via TOP A, TOP A103, L101, A105Q & A (250 km total). Southern Loop to Iroquois Falls and Timmins (lunch and fuel) via TOP A, A111C, TOP C, A106C and TOP A (270 km total).
Of course, you can also stage from the Thriftlodge Cochrane for the Gateway to the North Tour – and that’s why, whenever I’m in Cochrane, I stay at the Thriftlodge. Make your reservation today!
Contributing partners for this Ontario snowmobiling site about great Ontario snowmobile trails and snowmobile conditions include: Intrepid Snowmobiler, Murphy Insurance, Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs, Ontario Tourism, Snow Goer Media, Supertrax Media.
