$15,000 OTF Grant to Ensure Access for Skiers - Local - News - Seaway News

"The Friends of The Summerstown Trails, Inc. (FOTST) is a community-based, non-profit organization with its main purpose being to maintain and develop green, recreational trails for healthy outdoor activities in the Summerstown Public Forest.  FOTST is run by a small group of volunteers and depends on public donations to manage the non-profit organization and maintain and groom the trails.  FOTST invites anyone interested in green activities such as snowshoeing, hiking, birding, biking, and cross-country skiing to contact them and join FOTST."

Trails in Eastern Ontario

Cross Country Canada - Haywood RACE Report: NorAms, Thunder Bay, Ontario

"Domestic race attention shifts to Lappe Nordic ski centre near Thunder Bay this week with the continuation of the Haywood NorAm series.

Over 200 competitors will start in Thursday's Haywood NorAms as the 'Everything Trials' take place with three races, over four days, at the Lappe Nordic Ski Centre near Thunder Bay. http://www.skinoram2011.com/index.html"

Trillium grant welcomed - The Cornwall Standard Freeholder - Ontario, CA

"The Friends of the Summerstown Trails' property will be groomed and maintained with the help of a new snowmobile purchased with a $15,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) grant.

Cross-country skiers and snow shoers will now enjoy freshly groomed trails.

The purchase was celebrated on Thursday at the Summerstown trails with MPP Jim Brownell and OTF representative Paulette Hebert."

Ontario Trails Council wins Economic Development Awards

Many Thanks to Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO): Awards Category: Tourism 1st Place: Ontario Trails Maps website: Innovative Technology Website, Interactive Databases Honourable Mention: Trailhead Ontario; Business Development, Branding Honourable Mention: Ontario Trails Website: Innovative Technology Website Our websites promote Ontario, physical activity, and the trails economy. We sincerely appreciate the recognition and awareness of EDCO regarding Ontario trails efforts to promote an Ontario trails Tourism economy.

Ontario Trails

Know the law, sledders advised | The Chronicle-Journal

"It’s not cited as often as the Criminal Code or the Highway Traffic Act.
But police say if sledders familiarized themselves with the rules under Ontario’s lesser-known Motorized Snow Vehicles Act (MSVA), they could be better prepared for a safe snowmobiling season.
“These aren’t tips or guidelines, these are the rules,” the OPP’s off-road safety co-ordinator, Sgt. Michael Price, said Wednesday from the force’s Orillia headquarters."

Trail Smart Ontario

Snowshoeing burns calories as you have fun | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register

"Dr. A. Neil Patrick, a Canadian chiropractor, sums up positives of snowshoeing on his website: There are four types of exercise that, when combined, will give improved results: endurance, raising heart rate; strength, building muscle; balance, reducing risk for falls; and flexibility, keeping a limber body through proper warm-up and stretching. A good snowshoeing excursion covers all four of those exercise types, making it an excellent full-body workout in winter."

Ontario Snowshoe Trails

Riders say winter cycling takes special preparation - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA

"'If the metre from the edge of the pavement is full of ice and snow, that's not safe to ride,' Cain said, 'so I'm going to take my metre that I normally ride from the edge of the road, I'll take another metre from where the ice and snow is.'

Neal Scott is a year-round cyclist, commuting from his home in the city's west end to Queen's University, where he teaches geography.

'I usually ride up right until Christmas and then it just kind of depends on snowfall,' he said. 'As long as the streets are clear, I keep riding.' Temperature's not an issue. It's mostly just snowfall and ice.'"

Ontario Cycling Trails

Trans Canada Trail Ontario Blog » Dryden Meeting For Canoe Routes Steering Committee

"Trans Canada Trail Ontario is hosting a Steering Committee meeting to discuss the Connection Northwest Canoe Routes Project on January 10th, 2011 at 1PM CST. The purpose of the meeting is to bring together the steering committee and meet with Hap Wilson, project consultant. This meeting is the kickoff of the project.

If you have any information you would like to share with us about possible routes, partners or opportunities, please send us an email. Kirsten Spence - kspence@tctrail.ca or Hap Wilson - ecotrailbuilders@gmail.com"

Ontario Canoe Trails

Cross country ski trails a hidden treasure in Fitzroy Provincial Park - Lifestyle - By Tiffany Williams-Lepack West Carleton Local Community News

"EMC Lifestyle - It may be cold outside but the trails are blazing in Fitzroy Provincial Park.

The West Carleton Nordic Ski Club's (WCNSC) trails at the park are a hidden gem just waiting to be discovered.

It's the perfect winter escape - 10 km of skate groomed trails and 15 km of classic groomed trails. New this year, there is approximately 5 km of added trails to enjoy on the perimeter trail. Near the start of the trail one is directed to an optional detour to extend the experience."

Ontario Cross Country Trails

TRCA: index

"Determine, coordinate and report appropriate corporate interests related to applications under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act as well as applications made pursuant to the TRCA Fill, Construction and Alteration to Waterways Regulation and related program activities; provide effective project management, staff supervision and service delivery.  Provide and maintain excellent customer service."

Sunset Trails almost ready for groomers - Kenora Daily Miner and News - Ontario, CA

"Sled heads are asked to be patient just a bit longer, as the Sunset Trail Riders are waiting for the ice to thicken before sending groomers onto the trails over frozen lakes and swamps.

The spokesman for the Sunset Trail Riders, Shaun Clifford, said there was only six inches in some spots.

'We don't officially open until that's all done,' he said Wednesday. 'We want to make sure it's safe for riders.'"

CottageCountryNow Article: Snowmobile trail progress delayed in Muskoka Lakes

"MUSKOKA LAKES — A request to open a snowmobile trail hit a snag at a recent Muskoka Lakes committee meeting.

The 2.6 kilometre trail, known as the Oka Colonization Road, located west of Bala off of Tower Road, could provide a more convenient connection to the Muskoka Lakes Snow Trails Association’s 144 kilometre trail system, said association president Rene Leenaars.

Currently, riders must wait for Long Lake to freeze to connect across the trails, he said.

According to Leenaars, the Oka Colonization Road was used as a snowmobile trail from the 1960s until the 1990s, when there was a disagreement over landownership."

Saturday Nights at the Forest City Velodrome

"Local Tim Horton’s retail locations in London have stepped to the plate for the second year and will be sponsoring the Tim Horton’s “Always Fresh” Winter Nationals on Saturday January 29th.  The competition will be a timed 4 event Omnium format.  Racing will begin at Noon (tech guide will be soon available).  The FCV Youth racers with youth riders from Detroit coming to London to test their winter legs.  Cadet, Junior, Masters and Elite racers will be racing through out the afternoon and evening."

Thief drives off on stolen ATV - The Beacon Herald - Ontario, CA

"PERTH SOUTH — An ATV was stolen from a drive shed overnight New Year's Eve. The owner of the ATV, who lives on Perth Road 112 about 2 km southeast of Stratford, reported his dark green 2007 Arctic Cat ATV 650 stolen New Year's Day. It was likely taken between 10 p.m. New Year's Eve and 5 a.m. New Year's Day. The suspect used the ATV to leave the property, eastbound on Line 29. The ATV licence plate is 12SH6 and the VIN number is 4UF07ATV47T205167. Police are reminding ATV owners to park their machines in locked sheds or garages and to store the keys away from the machine."

Sledders fueled with enthusiasm - Midland Free Press - Ontario, CA

"For every Barrie resident wishing the snow would disappear there's an eager snowmobiler wishing it would stay.

After last year's extremely mild winter, avid snowmobilers hope the white stuff sticks around so they can hit the trails.

'If you think back to last year, we got a ton of snow at first, and then nothing after Christmas,' said Josh Grills, marketing manager for the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs' (OFSC) Barrie area district. 'This year, we've had cold weather and snow before Dec. 1 and it's got people excited and ready to get out there.'"

Ontario Snowmobile Trails

TheRecord - Snowshoers ready to compete at Special Olympics

"In Waterloo Region, we share athletics, sports activities and competitions with a group of youth and young-adult athletes who participate under the banner Special Olympics Ontario Kitchener-Waterloo. Like other minor sports groups, the local chapter of Sports Olympics is a volunteer-driven organization. Since it was established in 1990, it has been dedicated to training and competition for athletes with intellectual disabilities."

Ontario Snowshoe Trails

Looking back at the last six months of 2010 - Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin - Ontario, CA

"Long-time parks and recreation director for the Town of Collingwood, Peter Dunbar, retires after 27 years. Dunbar tells the E-B he jumped at the opportunity to work for the town: 'It was the potential to have an impact,' said Dunbar. 'I have lots of friends in Toronto in the rec business, but going to Toronto would have meant being buried in a pile of bureaucracy. Here I had the opportunity to push the edge and try new ideas.' Under his direction, the recreation department evolved into the Department of Leisure Services, responsible for more than 20 parks -- including ball diamonds and soccer pitches --the arena, curling club, an outdoor pool, a fitness centre, and more than 70 kilometres of walking and cycling trails."

Trials have snow, skis, spuds | The Chronicle-Journal

"There will be lots of action during the three-day Haywood Noram cross country ski trials and it will be fairly easy on the environment.
The use of cutlery, cups, bowls and plates made from potato makes Thunder Bay the site of only the second green ski event ever held in Canada.
Organizing committee representative Jean Pendziwol said the compostable material is better for the environment although it costs more."

Ontario Cross-Country Trails

Select committee proposed to look into the safety of snowmobiles, ATVs, bicycles | www.kingsentinel.com | King Township Sentinel

"Oak Ridges — Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek has introduced a private member’s resolution to establish a select committee to investigate methods of reducing injuries and fatalities on non-automobile vehicles.

That would include bicycles, all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The select committee would be composed of members from all parties and regions, and would look into matters such as helmet legislation, age restrictions and safety training."

The OTC encourages all trail users to Trail Smart!

Select committee proposed to look into the safety of snowmobiles, ATVs, bicycles | www.kingsentinel.com | King Township Sentinel

"Oak Ridges — Markham MPP Dr. Helena Jaczek has introduced a private member’s resolution to establish a select committee to investigate methods of reducing injuries and fatalities on non-automobile vehicles.

That would include bicycles, all terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. The select committee would be composed of members from all parties and regions, and would look into matters such as helmet legislation, age restrictions and safety training."

The OTC encourages all trail users to Trail Smart!