SKATING THROUGH WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING By Sheila Ascroft Photos: Arrowhead Prov. Park
W
alking in a winter wonderland is an iconic if clichéd image, but how about a skate though snow-quiet woods on oh-so-smooth ice.
You can do it along the 1.3-kilometre groomed ice skating trail in Arrowhead Provincial Park, through evergreen forest in the heart of Muskoka. John Leadston, the park’s assistant superintendent, created the trail in 2011 after he got tired of the park’s tiny skating rink and wanted more people to enjoy the outdoors. Since then, thousands of skaters have found the groomed trail much to their liking. It’s a 350-kilometre drive to the Huntsville area, but certainly worth a visit if you’re travelling nearby. “It’s just so incredibly stunning, especially at night, to skate through the woods by firelight. It’s date night, it’s family night and it’s even a little romantic. We see moms and dads stroller skating, couples, grandparents, kids,” said Leadston, known locally as the “passionate park’s guy.”
The trail drew 20,000 people last year – most from Muskoka, the Barrie area or Toronto, but some came all the way from Scotland and New Zealand. It’s become one of the region’s most popular winter attractions, so the best time to skate is midweek when it’s less crowded and the Zambonismooth ice is in prime condition. It’s open Monday to Friday from noon to 6 p.m. with an 11 a.m. opening on weekends, except for those special Saturday nights (see below). The cost is $16 per vehicle for a day pass, which covers not just for skating, but snowshoeing, tubing and skiing as well. Skate rentals and skate sharpening are available too. Arrowhead hosts Fire and Ice Nights on Saturday usually starting the end of December and running to the end of
February if weather permits. Hundreds of Tiki torches illuminate the ice trail as it weaves through a snowy forest, which is not only scenic but serves as a windbreak, something Rideau Canal skaters would welcome. Warming cabins and picnic tables along the way make for rest and a snack. Leadston is a fund of ideas – including a snow sculpture contest – to attract more skaters. It’s called “Art Froid,” and the creations decorate his long, winding forest rink. For more info call 705-789-5105 or check out: www.ontarioparks.com/park/arrowhead, or www.discovermuskoka.ca/ice-skating-trailarrowhead.html Ottawa’s own skating pleasures If Arrowhead seems like a long drive even for a long skate, there’s no shortage of rinks for newbies and seasoned skaters in Ottawa’s own backyard. Checking out all of them reveals a range of experience on ice. Rideau Canal Skateway Ottawa’s most famous rink is designated by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest. You can skate from downtown to Dows Lake and see the central city from a different perspective. If the weather’s nasty, heated cabins along the way are cozy, warm and washroom-equipped. They make it easy to rest and change from boots to skates. The Skateway is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from about late January to late February, depending on ice conditions. Skate rentals are available in front of the National Arts Centre and at the Fifth Avenue rest stop. Sled rentals are available for non-skaters. >>>>see page 8
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