Pedal - Canada's Cycling Magazine

"On May 22, 2011, Canada will get its first 100-mile (160 km) mountain bike race: Victoria's 100. Starting at 7 am, riders will complete two laps of a challenging and fun course through some of Southern Ontario's best trails.

Mansfield Outdoor Centre has hosted 24-hour, 8-hour, Marathon and Ontario Cup XC racing over the years and is hosting the start/finish line for this epic 100-mile journey. The course winds through single track and double track, covering four properties in two counties, all with less than 1 km of gravel road. The design focuses on keeping things fast and fun, while highlighting the great trails in the region. Victoria's 100 will attract some of the top endurance racers, while also offering everyone an attainable challenge with just the right amount of adversity and effort. Come test yourself."

Ontario Mountain Bike Trails

Mountain Bike Trail Information

Skiers get their first taste of Canada Winter Games - Kenora Daily Miner and News - Ontario, CA

"Kenora Nordic's women's cross-country ski contingent was on course at the Canada Winter Games for the first time Monday, competing in the 7.5-kkm free race.

Amie Mathews led the four local athletes who make up four of five spots on Manitoba's women's Nordic ski team at the Canada Winter Games this week. The Lakehead University student was 27th in a field of 55 skiers in a time of 22:42.4, 3:04.8 behind gold medalist Emily Nishikawa of the Yukon."

Ontario Cross-Country Ski Trails

Cross-Country Ski Trail Information

North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"The North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) is one of 36 conservation authorities in Ontario, Canada consisting of 16 Conservation Areas[1]. It is responsible for conservation areas within North Bay, but also extending into the surrounding municipalities. In addition to Conservation Areas, the NBMCA has local jurisdiction in 4 program areas"

North Bay Area Trails

Blue Mountains Bruce Trail Club Announces Annual End to End Hike May 28-29, 2011

"The annual End to End Blue Mountains hike scheduled for May 28 and 29, 2011 covers 66 km over the two days where participants hike at their own pace. A reasonable registration fee of $25 includes transportation from the Highlands Nordic Centre west of Duntroon, refreshments and badges for those successfully completely the two legs of the trail. There is even a social gathering at the completion of the first leg on May 28th at the Nordic Centre."

Ontario Hiking and Walking Trails

Hiking Trails Information

Close remote trails, says family of snowmobiler killed Saturday near Ottawa

"For the second time in a month, emergency crews got to a curve in the Swisha trail Saturday evening too late to save a snowmobiler’s life.

“That trail he was on is just treacherous,” said Victoria Riccardo, who was made a widow when her husband, Tony Riccardo, struck a tree. “Something should have been done in that spot.”

Tony Riccardo, a 53-year-old bricklayer from Stittsville, was snowmobiling with a group of family members and coworkers on a trail west of Deep River, on the Quebec side of the border. He lost control, went over a drop-off and struck a tree. His son performed CPR while other members of the group made the 23-kilometre trip back into town for help, but he was dead by the time police and paramedics got there about half an hour later."

OTC - we regret the tragic death for the family. We have had discussions at Trailhead Ontario in 2010 and in April 18-19, in Niagara at Trailhead Ontario. We again planning discussions with EMS and the Ministry of Health to improve trail infrastructure to reduce evac times. Hopefully we can work with the family to improve trail conditions to reduce accidents and death on trails.

Trailhead Ontario

Sled Smart

kawarthaNOW.com ® | Events On Now in the Kawarthas & Peterborough Ontario | Kawartha Events | Family Day Events

"Gamiing Nature Centre hosts a Family Day Winterlude from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Gamiing Nature Centre (1884 Pigeon Lake Rd., Lindsay, K9V 4R). A day of exciting winter activities and a chance to explore the nature centre in all of its winter beauty. Come out and try snowshoeing, cross country skiing and enjoy all of our trails. Don’t forget to bring your skates! There will be warm refreshments like hot chocolate and chili available and fires to keep warm between games and activities. Admission is by donation. For more information call (705) 799-7083 ."

Kawartha Area Trails

POV: Holiday is perfect opportunity to spend time with your families - Timmins Daily Press - Ontario, CA

"In the City with a Heart of Gold, the Porcupine Ski Runners are leading the way in terms of Family Day Fun. They are graciously providing free snowshoe rentals on holiday Monday, so families can get outside and try a new winter activity together. (It also gives the curious a reason to go check out the Ski Runners' new facilities.)

Also, at various times Monday, there are free Family Day public skating sessions offered at arenas throughout the city."

Timmins Area Trails

Discover Ontario’s Outdoors On Family Day Weekend

"“Family Day weekend is a great opportunity to try ice fishing for the first time, learn about safety on the ice and take part in a wide range of events being organized in communities across the province. I am looking forward to attending this family day weekend the Bridgenorth Winter Panfish Festival – the largest fishing derby and I hope to see many families out enjoying this great outdoor event.”
– Linda Jeffrey, Minister of Natural Resources"

Ontario Trail Events

Burlington Family Day Fun for the Whole Family!

"Wild Music offers families the chance to discover the joy of music through the calls of nature at The Royal Botanical Gardens. Open from 10am until 5pm, the exhibits offers children a chance to make their own music and explore through activities and crafts. A special Wild about Rhythm Drum Circle will take place on Family Day from Noon until 2pm. Many of the trails are open for hikes on Family Day, depending on their condition. More information about Wild Music and trail conditions is available at www.rbg.ca."

Dog Sledding - North of Superior Tourism Association - Northern Ontario, Canada

"If you have ever wondered how fast sled dogs can go and why they love to do what they do, you owe it to yourself to experience a sled dog excursion in North of Superior.
 
Dog sledding offers the unique combination of comfort and excitement.  You can relax and enjoy scenery of a winter wonderland or learn to drive your own team.  All age and ability levels are welcome!"

Ontario Dog-Sled Trails

Ontario Dog-Sledding Information

Northwestern Ontario Winter Carnival

Council commits to finishing hiking trail - The Sudbury Star - Ontario, CA

"City council has committed to completing the largest continuous hiking trail in Greater Sudbury by 2015.

When finished, the Junction Creek Waterway Trail will stretch 18 kilometres from Maley Drive to Kelly Lake. So far, 11 kilometres are finished, with seven kilometres incomplete, says Franco Mariotti of the Connect the Creek partnership."

Sudbury Area Trails

Stittsville man second snowmobiler to die on trail - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA

"'He was just a wonderful father, an amazing husband and a great guy,' she said, adding her husband was a 'cautious' and experienced snowmobiler.

The family's grief turned to anger when they learned of an earlier fatal crash, mere metres away on the same sharp curve on the Swisha trail, that claimed the life of a 35-year-old Bryson, Que., man on Jan. 21.

'This is a trail that people pay money to go on. Something has to be done,' said Vickie.

Anger boiled over when they learned that despite the prior fatality, it took rescue crews more than 30 minutes to reach the crash site, about 23 km from the trail entrance at Chemin Dumoine, the nearest road."

Our condolences to the family. We have been asking for trail certification and maintenance money for all trails since 2003.

St. Catharines’ to spruce up downtown with performing arts school, theatre - The Globe and Mail

"In addition to the new arts centre and school, these ventures include the new $111-million Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, which is expected to incubate fledgling bio-tech and pharma-tech businesses, as well as a plan to move the school’s Human Performance Centre to the Welland International Flatwater Centre. Being built for the 2015 Pan-American Games, it will host canoe, kayak and open-water swimming events."

Rainbow Valley Riding Center

"Riding lessons in hunter, dressage, western and public trail riding. Horse for lease, indoor arena, large out door ring, miles of beautiful trails."

Hike for Dog Rescue

Paws On the Shore We will meet at the South East corner of Kipling Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard West. (In front of the Assembly Hall at Humber College) All proceeds from this hike will go toward the Humane Society of Durham Region. http://www.humanedurham.com/ We will meet and begin selling raffle tickets at 12:30 PM Raffle will be drawn at 1:00 PM and the hike will begin after that! Lots of great prizes to be won! (a complete prize listing will be posted soon!) Dress warm! Come out to support a great cause, win some prizes and meet other responsible dog owners!

Family Day Events

Enjoy Family Day at Hiawatha Highlands
Where:
Hiawatha Highlands
780 Landslide Road
Sault Ste Marie
When:
Monday, February 21, 2011
Web:
hiawathahighlands.com

Free cross-country ski and snowshoe equipment, free ski lessons and free trail passes. 9-12 or 1-4

Conservation Area and Trails News

Point Edward, February 17, 2011: The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority held their 2011 annual meeting in Point Edward on Thursday. Andy Bruziewicz representing the City of Sarnia was elected Chair and Larry McKenzie representing the Village of Point Edward was elected Vice-Chair. Steve Arnold was appointed as the Conservation Authority representative on Conservation Ontario.

Hike Spencer Gorge

Event conditional on weather Let's start off with a hike to Spencer Gorge. It has 2 beautiful waterfalls, Webster's Falls with its magnificent curtain and Tew Falls which is 41 metres in height. In the winter this is a magical place because the waterfalls become frozen. What is great about Webster's Falls is that it can be reached by a staircase that allows visitors to get close to the base of the falls. There are many great lookouts along the Spencer Gorge and Dundas Peak

Switchback snowshoe race this weekend - Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin - Ontario, CA

"there's a switchback on tap for the Family Day weekend at the Craigleith Ski Club and it might not be for the faint of heart -- or breath.

The Switchback Challenge snowshoe race will see the resort over-run with a squall of snowshoers eager to tackle unforgiving slopes of the forbidding Blue Mountains. It's one of the area's best-kept secrets, although it's also one of the more popular snowshoe races in the province and in Canada.

Organizer Hugh Fallon said the race started from somewhat inauspicious beginnings."

Ontario Snowshoe Trails

Snowshoeing Information

Snowshoe videos

First city-wide Family Day celebration set to begin - thestar.com

"It’s been four years since Premier Dalton McGuinty gave Ontarians the gift of a day off in February. And while it’s taken a while for us to embrace it, Family Day has finally caught on.

While many families have taken the opportunity to go away, if you’re staying home there’s still plenty to do."

Ontario Trail Events