Choosing an Ontario Snowmobiling Destination

"Before picking a destination, decide how much time you have for your ride (including trailering hours). Ontario has many long weekend getaway rides or multi-day saddlebag tours for your snowmobiling pleasure, but knowing your available time will help you determine where to start."

Use or to choose.

Looking for Ontario's Outstanding Young Farmers for 2011 | Greenbeltfresh.ca

"Here's your chance to recognize someone with the title of the 2011 Ontario Outstanding Young Farmer. This award will be presented at the Regional Conference to be held next march 10-12 in Ajax, Ontario.

We are seeking people who contribute to the community, who seek new opportunities, and who generally are assets to Ontario's agri-food industry."

Many farmers support trails - without their support many trails you use would not be there. OTC sends its thanks to these supporters!

Home - Treks in the Wild

"Treks in the Wild is an outdoor adventure company located on the Grand River near Brantford and Paris in Southern Ontario.

From canoe, kayak and mountain bike rentals on or around the Grand River to full on guided backcountry canoeing, backpacking and snowshoeing trips in northern Ontario.  Our goal is to teach our clients how to get the most out of their self-propelled adventures in a safe, sustainable way."

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE | OPP & OFSC Caution Snowmobilers Not To Ride This Weekend!

"With the onset of winter throughout much of the province, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are advising snowmobilers that early snow conditions are very risky and dangerous for riding: the smart choice is not to ride a snowmobile anywhere this weekend.

According to the OFSC, while some locales have received considerable snowfall, the ground underneath is not yet frozen properly. The snow itself has little base or substance, thereby providing insufficient protection from crevices, ruts, rocks, stumps or other hidden obstacles. At least another full week of sub-zero temperatures and more snow is needed before a few trails may be available for early season riding."

Batawa Ski Hill opens early! - Trenton Trentonian - Ontario, CA

"It's unprecedented. Global warming has wreaked havoc on Ontario ski areas in recent years, but this year, Batawa Ski Hill will be open early, sending the first skiers and snowboarders up the lift on Saturday morning.

The deep freeze that has gripped Ontario and dumped record-breaking amounts of snow on some areas has given Batawa optimal snow-making temperatures, allowing staff to make what Mother Nature didn't — several feet of snow."

This is also a great place to geocache.

Community Press - Ontario, CA | UR

"Ontario Trillium Foundation and Friends of the Trail Inc. will make an important announcement on
Friday, December 10, 2010. The announcement will take place at 12:30 p.m. at the site of the future Station Park at Mill and Wellington Streets in Frankford.
An Ontario Trillium Foundation local volunteer and Friends of the Trail Inc. Chair, Bill Gray will
make the announcement and give remarks.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario."

BBC News - Rare Native American birch bark canoe found in Cornwall

"Capt George Hogg, archivist and museum trustee, said initially when the call came in from the estate, the museum had no idea of the importance of the find.

'We knew we had something special, but having worked with the British Museum on the artefacts and the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario, we now believe that this is one of the world's oldest birch bark canoes."

Centretown News Online - Proposals target 'windowless walls'

"Urban Strategies, Inc., the group behind the Mid-Centretown Community Design Plan, displayed its current concept to the community, focusing on how to improve new building projects, zoning and greening. New cycling routes and the conversion of major roads, such as Metcalfe Street, to two-way streets are also in the plan."

Tell us about your trail development -

Fun on the rise for local climbers | The Toronto Observer

"Westgate and Brown’s favourite outdoor Ontario climb is in Bancroft, at a granite crack by a highway called the Eagle’s Nest. It’s where Brown did one of his first climbs and he says he will never forget it.
“I had to climb up last and I had to (do) what’s called top-out, where I actually climb out to the very top of the cliff and gather up all the rope and carry it down,” he said. “When I started climbing the sun was already touching the horizon. I just barely made the sunset up the cliff. It was a very surreal experience.”"

For a fuller list of rock climbing places see:

District boasts first open snowmobile trail | Fort Frances Times Online

"It isn’t much, but Rainy River District is home to the province’s first stretch of open snowmobile trails for the 2010-11 season.
A five-mile stretch from Emo to the Highway 11/71 junction opened Monday.

“It’s finished and groomed and open right now,” said Borderland Snowmobile Club president Dave Goodman.
“It’s the first piece of trail open in Ontario.”"

SNAP Clarington - Volunteer Trail Build

"A volunteer trail building project took place at Enniskillin Conservation Area located on Holt Road just outside the little town of Enniskillen. The hiking group, Hiking Buddies joined Dan Hope and Jamie Davidson of Central Lake Ontario Conservation and with Sustainable Trails, constructed a new trail to go all the way around the pond. The day was gray and rainy but spirits where high, all the volunteers grabbed a rake, pick or axe and began to carve out a new adventurous hiking trail in the park for all to enjoy. Anyone can come out and hike with Hiking Buddies www.hikingbuddies.com. The group was honored to be given the chance to give back in this way and have committed to volunteering with the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authorities again in the spring."

Doing a trail project - send us your project information, we'd like to have a record of who is doing what out there! ontrails@gmail.com

Discover Edible Plants and Trees of Southern Ontario... One Hour West of Toronto

"Dec 07, 2010 – Many people hike the forests of Southern Ontario, but have no idea of what is there. In the Grand River Valley there is a beginner’s “hiking classroom” that teaches identification of trees and edible plants. These guided hikes are 2-4 hours, using the Carolinian Forests as the classroom.

During the hike, the guides teach as they come across different plants and trees. On each plant they talk about how to identify, edible or medicinal values and other uses. Learning from these guides is very hands-on, with tasting, smelling and feeling included."

Get Your Sleds Ready for Algoma Trails - Algoma Country, Northern Ontario

"With Algoma Country covered in a good blanket of snow, the season for snowmobiling is not far off. Algoma Trails has been working diligently to prepare for the upcoming season; District 13 is hard at work making sure that F Trail from Missanabie to Chapleau will open for the 2010 – 2011 season, as well as D 106 Trail between Echo Bay and Aubrey Falls. Another trail to reopen this season is the Blind River to Spragge Trail. A new core trail is in the works, we will have more information about this new trail when it opens!"

For a fuller list of snowmobile trails see: http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html?cat=17&icon=snowmobiling.png

Early, deep snow cover great news for skiers, snowmachiners

"Not everyone is glum about last week’s snow fall: Cross-country skiers are already hitting the trails, and snowmobilers and downhill skiers hope to, shortly. They’re hoping now for colder temperatures to create thick lake ice. Local cross-country trails are now open, and some snowmobile trails should be groomed in the next week or so, but the back-country trails and the downhill ski club will have to wait on good ice conditions.

Nearly half of the Beaten Path Nordic Trails ski club’s 45 km trail network (including around Kemuel Lake down to the Tourist Bureau and over to Nordic Lake) should be open and “people have been out; I’ve been out skiing a half a dozen times,” said the club’s Chris Stromberg."

For a listing that includes these and hundreds of other cross-country ski trails see: http://www.ontariotrailsmap.com/ontariotrails.html?cat=4&icon=xcountry.png

New Look Trail Locator: helps trail users

"Well, we're looking good - new web map platform allows for world class look that anybody should be happy to have their trails listed on. Check it out. Plan your outing. Get out - get active!

Importantly the OTC acts as a feeder to others websites. The map site represents points where folks can find trails, we let others talk about the experiences, and the work they do to promote the activity. Over 85% of all traffic to our sites goes elsewhere for more information.

Send us your trail today.

i bike burlington: Halton's one size fits all - short-sighted approach

"At home, cycling tourism has a tremendous positive impact in Niagara. ~ 5,000 jobs, $200 million in annual revenues.   While cycling our waterfront trail, I encountered a group of Penny Farthing cyclists from South Africa, Germany and New Zealand.  Cycling tourists spend more per day and stay longer in the area than other tourists.

Halton Region sometimes adds 1 metre paved shoulders to rural roads when they are resurfaced.  Numerous studies show the paved shoulder extends road life and provide other benefits making it worth the added cost.  It appears that Halton views the speeds vehicles travel on these roads as a secondary issue e.g. currently under resurfacing, Derry Road has a 1 metre shoulder (sometimes less) despite cars buzzing by at speeds well over 70kph.  Going forward after Derry Road, Halton is proposing 1.5m - if it can be easily done.  One size fits all is the Halton approach."

Essex kids sing for votes

"'I want a playground for Essex. Only a playground will do.'

Those are the opening lines of the song they're singing as an outpouring of community spirit has pushed Essex public school ahead of schools from big cities across Ontario in the frenzied chase for up to $1 million from the Aviva Community Fund.

'I'm so proud how everybody has come together for this project,' said retired teacher Pam Gibb. 'We are doing well against some major centres. This town is plastered with Aviva signs.'"

Ontario Vacations & Tours, Ontario Travel Guide & Vacation Packages - RealAdventures

"Canadian Canoe and Kayak Wilderness Adventure Trip
Algonquin Park, Ontario Canoeing & Kayaking
Exceptional, all inclusive Canadian wilderness experiences by Canoe, Kayak, White Water Raft or Dog Sled in Ontario, British Columbia, Yukon and Nunavut. Also Belize Coral Islands wilderness kayak adventures.
Rates From C$ 395 Per Person"

A North Woods adventure | StarTribune.com

"Come winter, things really start to heat up in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

This picturesque slice of the Canadian North Woods is a winter wonderland for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, offering almost countless opportunities for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding and more."

Wye Marsh Winter Workshops and Winter Activities Midland Ontario

"Midland, ON - Shopping for that special gift for the nature lover on your list? Thanks to the generosity of the Moun-tainview Mall the Wye Marsh’s Gift Shop will be conveniently located for your shopping ease. Choose from a wide selection of quality clothing , expert field guides and books to nature inspired jewellery, stained glass and treasured keepsakes. Or, give a gift certificate for a snowshoe ecotour or falconry workshop.

Location: Mountainview Mall Date: December 11—24
Contact: 705-526-7809 or email: info@wyemarsh.com"