Wintrywilderness

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The arrival of winter transforms Algonquin Park into a whole new, spectacular world. Drifts of pristine snow, frozen plains of ice where just months before people paddled, evergreen trees draped in white ... and a hush so complete it’s the definition of serenity.

Algonquin operates at a far-reduced capacity in the winter, of course, with few services and amenities available besides the Visitor Centre, which remains open yearround. The only heated accommodations are the yurts at Mew Lake campground (reserved as much as six months in advance).

But there are plenty of winter activities to get excited about – snowshoeing, cross-county skiing, backwoods camping, wildlife watching, even dogsledding are on the menu. Only ice fishing and snowmobiling is prohibiting.

Winter camping is popular for those who don’t temperatures that can dip to as much as minus-30 C. Stake a campsite anywhere you want in the backcountry, save for within sight of groomed trails, 30 metres of any lake, or within any of the designated summer sites.

The promise of fabulous cross-country skiing through spectacular scenery draped with snow attracts the most winter visitors. Algonquin boasts several trail networks designed specifically for cross-country skis. Fen Lake Trail at the West Gate has four loops (the longest 13 kms) and a heated comfort station. The Leaf Lake Ski Trail, near the East Gate, boasts loops of varying distance (five to 50 kms) and difficulty –meaning there is something for everyone. If backcountry skiing is more your jam, opt for the Minnesing Wilderness Ski area. The trails are not groomed and traverse much wilder terrain for greater adventure.

Snowshoers traverse the snow-shrouded wilderness at a slower pace. You can travel anywhere you wish, ski trails excluded. Many visitors opt to trek along the short interpretive trails along the Parkway Corridor. Snowshoeing is a great means of wildlife watching; even if you don’t spot animals, you’re sure to see signs of their activity, in the form of tracks.

If you want daytime exertions but still prefer some nighttime comforts, Algonquin Eco-Lodge (www.algonquinecolodge. com) has you covered. Located on a secluded lake just outside the park’s southern boundaries, Algonquin EcoLodge maintains 60 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails in Algonquin Park, as well as shorter snowshoe trails and dogsledding expeditions.

Consider timing you visit to coincide with Algonquin’s “Winter in the Wild Festival,” a celebration of winter in Algonquin on Family Day Weekend in February. Events vary from year to year but might include guided bird walks, guest speakers, guided snowshoe excursions, skating, skiing, and winter camping demonstrations (www. algonquinpark.on.ca/news/winter_in_ the_wild.php).

Algonquin Park is famed for summer vacations and autumn leaf-peeping, but Algonquin also offers epic wintry wilderness like no place else in Ontario. When snow cloaks the park, special things happen. Strap on a set of skis or snowshoes and see for yourself.

For more information: www.algonquinpark. on.ca/visit/general_park_info/winter-inalgonquin-park.php