Snowmobile safety officers resigning in droves

"Earlier this week, with considerable fanfare, the OPP and OFSC unveiled a new STOP logo in Orillia.

But as Snowmobile Safety Week got underway in Ontario, there were a lot fewer STOP officers on the trails than there were at this time last year, says MacLeod.

MacLeod says 58 STOP officers have quit in recent months, leaving 75 STOP officers currently volunteering province-wide.

Sault Ste Marie has lost eight officers, with a combined 97 years of volunteer snowmobile enforcement, says MacLeod.

These officers used their own snowmobiles and they paid for their gas, maintenance, and trail pass purchases themselves, he said."

Learning Facilitator Course- February 12-13 | Ontario Cycling Association

"The CCA, in collaboration with the OCA, is coordinating a learning facilitator course for the community initiation program scheduled to take place in Hamilton, ON, on February 12-13, 2011. The course will be presented in English by Paul Jurbala at the National Cycling Centre Hamilton.

Learning Facilitators are key individuals who help organize and lead the coach education program and deliver the workshops in their provinces."

Ontario Off-Road Cycling Trails
Ontario On-Road Cycling Trails

Free WorkShop on Cycling Tourism Feb. 8th

"Cycle tourism in Ontario is growing. Interested in attracting more cycle tourists to your location??

The Welcome Cyclists Network would like to invite you to attend an upcoming Workshop in Brockville to find out about this growing market and how you can access it.

Date: Tuesday, February 8 ‐ 9:30am to 11:30am
The Mill, 123 Water Street West, Brockville"

Ontario On-Road Cycling Trails

Cross-country Ski or Snowshoe Ontario Parks » Parks Blog

"The Muskoka Loppet takes place on January 23, at Arrowhead Provincial Park. It’s a Muskoka tradition, hosted by the Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club every year. Fifteen and 30 km classic ski events are planned along with a five km classic race for kids and social skiers. The three and nine km snowshoe races added to the Muskoka Loppet last year were so successful, they’ll be offered again this year."

Ontario's Central Region Trails

Active Transportation Planning Videos

A great primer for those who wondered what active transportation is, how it fits in the urban landscape, why it beautifies and activates AND how it links to trails!!

Ontario Urban Hikes

Owen Sound Sun Times - Ontario, CA | UR

"Cross Country Ski Hike
Where:
Sydenham Bruce Trail Club
Owen Sound
When:
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Web:
www.sydenhambrucetrail.ca

Cross-country skiing on the Ski Trails at the Massie Forest Area. Bring snacks and water. Trail fee applies. All welcome. Meet Westside Bowl Parking Lot 9:30am. Moderate/normal. 2-2.5 hours. Contact Bettilyn Berglund 519-376-3729."

Sauble Beach Winterfest

Want something to do today? Winterfest is going on at Sauble Beach: http://www.explorethebruce.com/sauble_beach_winterfest.php

Frigid festival this February in Blind River - Elliot Lake Standard - Ontario, CA

"A late snowfall is just in time for Blind River's 41st annual Winter Carnival.

Every year snow gets piled up and every year visitors pile in to see the town's winter wonderland."

OPP promote safe riding - Bancroft This Week - Ontario, CA

"The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) advise snowmobilers to arrive home safely after every ride by making smart choices with their riding behaviour. Provincial Snowmobile Safety Week is a great opportunity for riders to tune up their sledding habits and riding styles with a greater focus on their own personal safety and the well being of others."

Ride Smart Program

durhamregion.com | Families can enjoy free snowshoeing in Clarington on Family Day

"Family Day fun can be spent in the snow at Enniskillen Conservation Area -- along with a funny pair of shoes.

In spirit of the family-oriented holiday, Monday, Feb. 21, conservation area staff will be hosting Free Family Snowshoeing Day, a come-and-go event allowing participants to borrow snowshoes and explore the trails. Conservation staff will be available during the event to provide pointers to snowshoeing beginners."

Ontario Snowshoe Trails

Try your foot at snowshoes - The Orillia Packet & Times - Ontario, CA

"Kids for Turtles and Orillia parks and recreation are offering a unique opportunity to explore Scout Valley on snowshoes this weekend.

'These are modern snowshoes that are easy for kids to use, but it's a good event for anyone that has never been snowshoeing before, so they can come out and try it,' said local naturalist Bob Bowles, who will be leading the adventure."

Ontario Snowshoe Trails

Family Day at Ontario Parks in February, 2011 | Travel Video News

An astronomical night of stargazing, cross-country skiing by moonlight, igloo-building and a candlelit skate path are a few of the Family Day weekend activities planned at Ontario Parks, February 19-21, 2011. Stargazing kicks off Winter Activity Day at Killarney Provincial Park. Hosted by the Friends of Killarney, the event begins indoors, the evening of February 19, near the park at the Killarney Bay Inn where astronomer Bruce Waters will project a star map on the inn ceiling and give tips on how to read the night sky."

Saluting the Games - Tbnewswatch.com

"Games manager Julie Tilbury said she and other organizers have been discussing the weather, but they’ll just have to wait and see what it brings. But she was optimistic the warm weather would be there when athletes compete.

'I’ve already ordered good weather so don’t worry about it,' laughed Tilsbury.

Admission is free for the public to watch, with competitions scheduled for most of the day on Friday and Saturday at the Tournament Centre, Kamview Nordic Centre, Mount Baldy Ski Area and the Fort William Curling Club."

NuCanoe - The Ideal Watercraft for Fishing, Hunting, Paddling, Rowing, & More

"There’s a new kayak bass fishing tournament being held this year in Kawartha Lakes region in Ontario. The First Annual Kawartha Lakes Kayak Bass Tournament will take place August 13, 2011 on the Pigeon River. To register or get more information, email tournament organizer Chris Noble at krisnobz@rogers.blackberry.net."

Ontario Canoe and Kayak Trails

Gord Miller delivers keynote address at ERCA meeting

"WINDSOR, Ont. -- Ontario's environmental commissioner was in Windsor Thursday night to give a shot in the arm to the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

Gord Miller attended ERCA's annual general meeting to deliver the keynote address to about 200 people.

Miller emphasized the importance of conservation authorities in the face of growing environmental problems including climate change, peak energy, water shortages and threats to biodiversity."

Ontario's Greenway Trails

ATV stolen from home - Peterborough Examiner - Ontario, CA

"DOURO–DUMMER TOWNSHIP - A green Polaris Sportsman ATV was stolen from a Second Line Douro home sometime between 9 p.m. Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Peterborough County OPP said.
The ATV is valued at $12,000.

Anyone with information can call police at 742-0401 or 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477."

Simcoe Article: Snowmobile club needs volunteers

"ALLISTON - With record-breaking snowfalls in December and a small volunteer base to draw from, the local snowmobile club found it difficult to open trails this season.

The Alliston and District Snowmobile Club (ADSC) volunteers maintain five sections of trails in the area. If there were more volunteers, local trails could have been opened a week earlier after December’s snowfall, according to the ADSC executive.

Whether the trails are open or not, the ADSC is always in need of volunteers."

YorkRegion Article: Vaughan’s 22nd annual Winterfest set to warm you up

"Vaughan’s 22nd annual Winterfest event is set for Sunday, Feb. 6 at the Vellore Village Community Centre, 1 Villa Royale Ave, in Woodbridge.
This family-themed event will feature free entertainment on the outdoor stage so dress warmly.
All activities are free and include a midway, face painting and horse-drawn wagon rides. Highlights include a Justin Bieber tribute and Doo Doo the international clown.
Bring your skates and enjoy some fun on the outdoor ice rink or bring your cooking skills and try out the pizza-making workshop.
For more information, call the city events hotline at 905-832-8585, ext. 8200, or visit www.vaughancelebrates.ca"

Sudbury Sports News - Sports calendar events

"CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING- Walden Cross-Country Fitness Club’s trails open for season. 3-km lighted trail track set. For updates, phone chalet at 705-692-2321. Memberships available online at waldenxc.com."

Ontario's Sudbury and Region Trails

BEST WESTERN PLUS Muskoka Inn, Huntsville Ontario

BEST WESTERN PLUS Muskoka Inn, Huntsville Ontario: "The surrounding Huntsville area offers many outdoor recreational activities including hiking, mountain biking, golfing, ice skating, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, swimming and snorkeling. Hutcheson Beach and Avery Beach are also nearby."

Ontario's Huntsville and Area Trails