Ontario Parks offers spectacular skiing and top-notch winter activities for families all across the province.
More than 20 Ontario parks offer cross-country ski trails with more than 450 kilometres of trails with half groomed or track-set. Many have warm-up shelters and/or cabins with wood fires and even hot chocolate to warm you up!
• Cross-country ski rentals in three provincial parks: Arrowhead, The Pinery, and Wasaga Beach.
• Snowshoe rentals in four parks: Arrowhead, Killarney: George Lake/Killarney Interior (the Friends of Killarney), The Pinery, Wasaga Beach (note: snowshoe sales at MacGregor Point Provincial Park).
• Skating at Bronte Creek large outdoor rink; unique skating loops along campground roads at MacGregor Point and Arrowhead Provincial Parks.
• Ontario Parks’ Ski Report (www.parkreports.com/skireport) will keep you updated on trail conditions. The report includes trail distances and amenities in each park and also links to local weather reports.
• Heated, roofed accommodation available in the winter months at: Algonquin – Mew Lake, Killarney, MacGregor Point, The Pinery, Quetico Dawson Trail, Silent Lake, Sandbanks, and Windy Lake.
Highlights of Special Events and Family Day Long Weekend Activities (For updated winter listings, visit the Ontario Parks website www.parkreports.com/events/events.php):
• Killarney Christmas Bird Count (Killarney Provincial Park) – Dec. 18, 2013
• Muskoka Loppet (Arrowhead Provincial Park – Jan. 26, 2014)
• Wasaga Beach Loppet (Wasaga Beach Provincial Park – January 2014 TBD)
• Dion Frontenac Snowshoe Race (Frontenac Prov. Park – Jan. 19, 2014)
• Tay Valley Loppet (Murphys Point Provincial Park – Feb. 9, 2014)
• Anniversary Sleeping Giant Loppet (March 1, 2014)
• Annual Cross Quetico Lakes Ski Tour (March 15, 2014)
2014 Family Day Long Weekend Activities – February 15, 16, and 17, 2014
• Family Ski Day; Arrowhead Provincial Park
• Family Day Weekend Owl Prowl; Pinery Provincial Park
• Winter Soup Hike, Presqu’ile Provincial Park
• Winter in the Wild Festival; Algonquin Provincial Park
• Winter Activity Weekend; Friends of Killarney Provincial Park
• Family Day Weekend; MacGregor Point Provincial Park
• Family Day Weekend; Rondeau Provincial Park
Wilderness Skills Training Program Schedule
• Hot Winter Camping – Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014
• Winter Camping Skills Training (Winter Camping Trip Planning and two instructional weekends)
• Winter Camping Trip Planning Workshop (introductory “learn to”) – Saturday, Jan. 18, 2014
• Winter Camping Instructional Weekend No. 1 – Saturday/Sunday, Feb. 1-2, 2014
• Winter Camping Instructional Weekend No. 2 – Saturday/Sunday, Feb. 8-9, 2014
The Frontenac Provincial Park All Season Camping Challenge
The Challenge: to camp at least one night in each of the months of the year in Frontenac Provincial Park.
Register at the park office and retain your copy of the camping permits as proof of your stay during each of the 12 months. Once done, submit your record sheet with the copies of your permits and you will be acknowledged at the next Challenge BBQ with a certificate, crest and your name on the Camping Challenge plaque!
Frontenac Provincial Park offers ski trails, snowshoeing and other popular activities within the park.
The park office has a fireplace and hot chocolate, and is a great place to warm up! During January and February, special events organized through the Friends of Frontenac Provincial Park are easily accessible and popular. Visit www.frontenacpark.ca.
Source: Ontario Parks
www.ontarioparks.com
Photo: depositphotos.com © Svetlana Khvorostova