Trailwise - November 2009

Get Ready for Winter on Ontario's Trails!

Well, what a wonderful fall it's been! Ontario has enjoyed some of the best November weather in recent memory. This has allowed for more adventure trips, use of rivers and lots of folks on trails. For the best list of Ontario fall trails anywhere visit the Ontario Trails Council website.

Now, we're getting ready for winter. We have the most extensive list of dog-sledding trails, cross-country skiing trails, snowshoeing trails and snowmobile trails on the web. Also check out our pages for ice climbing, geocaching, downhill skiing, ATVing (where allowed and applicable), equestrian, camping and backpacking and hiking.

We encourage you to get in touch with the folks at the Atikokan Sno-Ho Club or the Ontario Cross Country Ski Association or mush on the Haliburton dog trails.

Camping_Yurt

What Can You Do This Winter?
How About Camping in a Yurt?

We have an inventory of over 100 winter activity trails in Ontario. From camping in a yurt to viewing ice steam at Niagara Falls to trying frozen French sugar taffy in Espanola – get out and enjoy what Ontario has to offer!

Algonquin Highlands Proves it Pays to
Advertise on the OTC Website

Every month, the OTC site gets 40,000 - 50,000 unique visitors. An ad on our site gets seen and clicked on. This past year, Algonquin Highlands has been advertising on the site.

We just received a note from Trail Coordinator, Mark Coleman, to let us know that Algonquin Highlands has just completed their year-end report and were thrilled to show a 6.3% increase in users from the previous year.

This, during a tough year when some Ontario municipalities have seen declines of nearly 20% at their recreational and camping facilities.

While we certainly can't take all the credit for their success, we increased their site visitors, which resulted in more users. Their business is up in a very difficult year.

Start increasing your site traffic today.
Advertise on OTC.

We offer very competitive rates and have many options for ad placements and sizes. Get more information on advertising on the OTC site. View the OTC Media Kit here (PDF File).

Top 7 Tips for Enjoying Winter Trails

Dress in layers. Once you get hiking or skiing, you'll get warm and will be most comfortable if you can peel off a layer.
Leave a trip plan. If you're heading out into the woods, make sure someone outside of your group knows where you're going and when you plan to be back.
Take a cell phone with you, but know where cell service gaps are. Cell coverage isn't uniform out in the wilderness. The locals can tell you where to expect the best reception.
If possible, travel with a friend, especially if it's your first time on a trail or in a region. That way, if necessary, one of you can go for help.
Take water with you! You can get dehydrated in winter just as quickly as in summer. Your body needs water when you're exercising.
Watch out for ice. Ice can move unexpectedly under you so always check ice conditions before you go!
Carry out what you bring in. Don't leave garbage in the snow. It will be visible in the spring, so please be considerate of others.

Why Not Book a Winter Trail Holiday Package?

It's exciting the number of places you can go and get active this winter. For information on packages or to book an all-in-one trip, check out Ontario Outdoors. Many hotels or motels have access to trails right outside their door. Take advantage of it!

RideauCanal_Skate

Plan to Go to One or More Ontario
Winter Festivals

From Waterloo to Hamilton, Ottawa and Thunder Bay, many Ontario cities and towns hold winter festivals.

Activities include cross-country ski races, heritage Christmas celebrations, winter bird sighting trips, culinary festivals and much more. Ottawa's Winterlude is a good example of a festival that can help you celebrate winter!

If you're looking for ideas or locations, why not check the OTC News & Events page. You'll find dozens of events to consider.

Resorts to Remember

Winter at Pine Vista means more than a pristine white landscape.

Fireside_Logo Get away from it all and book a Canadian Wilderness Experience at Fireside Lodge.

Deerhurst_Logo Deerhurst is an ideal base to explore nearby Algonquin Park, winter festivals as well as the shops and sites of charming downtown Huntsville.

Christmas at The Canoe Museum in Peterborough

Come and celebrate Christmas and the Holidays in a most Canadian way at the Canadian Canoe Museum Saturday December 5th, 2009, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Our early Christmas present to visitors is the world premiere performance of The Christmas Canoe by renowned folklorist Sheldon Posen. After enjoying the performance, the author will be on hand for book signing. For children and the young-at-heart, cookie decorating, and crafts will be led by museum staff and volunteers. For adults eager to find some unique gifts, the Gift Shop will be open and stocked with distinctly Canadian (and canoe-ish) items.

Cookie-decorating, crafts and the performance are included with regular museum admission: $7.50 for adults, $6.00 students and seniors, $20 families, kids under 5 free.

Cookie decorating runs from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Storytelling performances at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. and book signing to follow each reading.

For more information, call 705.748.9153. The Canadian Canoe Museum is at 910 Monaghan Road, Peterborough, Ontario.

MEC_OTC_together

Not a member yet? Today is the day to join!

It's easy to take trails for granted, but it is organizations like the OTC that continue to advocate for safe and accessible trails throughout the province.

The OTC is unique among trail organizations bringing together trail user groups with landowners, health units, active living programs, conservation authorities, municipalities and provincial parks.

We count on the support of our members
The OTC derives its core financial support from its membership. We encourage you to join to support the promotion and advocacy of trails in Ontario.

Types of members
Our members include municipalities, conservation authorities, parks, trail management groups, trail clubs, trail user groups, health units, other trail-related supporting organizations and individuals.

Benefits of joining

One year digital subscription to the Canoeroots magazine
Access to Trail Insurance package
OTC web page representation
Access to Professional Development sessions, i.e., Trails Tourism Practices, Trails Tort Reform, Trail Design Build Workshops
User conflict resolution
Representation on OTC trails maps
Knowledge exchange
Office services and networking support
Advocacy benefits - provincially and nationally
Savings on conference/seminar registration

Incredibly affordable
Annual membership rates make it easy to join.
All prices include GST.
Less than 200 people $105.00
Between 200 and 5,000 people $262.50
Greater than 5,000 people $787.50
For individuals, it's $26.25 and for students it's $21.00

The fastest way to join is to call us by phone toll-free. Call us toll-free, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 1.877.668.7245.

Need to read a bit more before calling us?
Get more membership information here.

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Trail Heroes

Jerry Belan
Program Officer,
City of Toronto

Jerry was front and centre in developing Toronto's very successful Discovery Walks. Recently, Jerry lead the way in developing a new Toronto parks and trails map highlighting the city's 800 kilometres of hard-surface recreational trails.

As well, in 2009, Jerry organized Toronto's first "Walking Information Fair" which brought together 33 local walking clubs. He has been invited to speak on trail walking at various conferences in North America, Asia and Europe. In his spare time, Jerry conducts "soft walking adventures" in Eastern Europe.

For his dedication and enthusiasm, we recognize Jerry Belan as a true trail hero. Thank you Jerry for all your work and the pleasure you've given to so many trail enthusiasts!

Do you know anyone who is passionate and has gone above and beyond in supporting trail development in Ontario?
Please send us your
"Trail Heroes" nominations.

Fall images from
trail users

Some of the images sent to us by trail users capturing Autumn in Ontario:

Cheltenham_Fall

Cheltenham Badlands
Sent by Juan Zhao

HumberTrail_Fall

Humber Trail, Vaughn
Sent by Bill and Kathy Patterson

NiagaraGlen_Fall

Niagara Glen
Sent by Charles Gervais

Parlez-vous français?
If so, could you help
the OTC?

We are looking for volunteers to help the OTC make key sections of our website bilingual. If you have the time and French language skills, we'd appreciate your help. Please email Patrick Connor.

Connect trails to your heritage site or resort

If you represent a site, resort or attraction, why not let people know about the trails near it?

It's no secret that having a trail at your resort helps fill beds, and provides your visitors with quick access to outdoor activities. If you have a video about your resort, adding information about the trails will help it get found.

Have your say:
complete our survey

We're interested in hearing your opinions on our website. Is your web experience enjoyable? Did you find the trail or the information on a trail activity you were looking for? What could we do better to improve your knowledge and use of trails? Is there an event you'd like to us to post? Do you have better trailhead or GPS information we could post? We are interested in hearing from you and we'll improve our site based on your feedback.

Please take our survey here. It takes just a few minutes.

Planning an Event?
Add it to Our Calendar!

If your group or Trail Association is planning an event, we'd love to add it to our Event Calendar. Send us the details and we'll help you spread the word to trail enthusiasts across the province.

Join us on Facebook!
Show your support for the Ontario Trails Council by becoming a fan.

See the Future
of Trail Tourism

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25th Anniversary Recipient for Exceptional Performance

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