When the evergreen branches are heavy with freshly fallen snow and the trails are blanketed with a layer of white, cross-country skiing in our local forests can make you feel like you have entered your own private fairy tale.
“Independence, freedom and a healthy life are the gifts my skis have brought me,” said Herman “Jackrabbit” Smith-Johannsen (the Quebec skier who popularized cross-country skiing in Canada) at one of his last skiing marathons at the age of 106.
The Norwegian-born Johannsen began his skiing career with a pair of the heavy four-metre-long wooden skis that a local farmer used to traverse snow-covered fields; later he fashioned shorter and skinnier skis for himself.
Always an adventurer and an outdoorsman, he developed techniques to negotiate the hilly terrain of the Laurentians. He quickly saw the potential of skiing as a sport, eventually cutting and maintaining hundreds of kilometres of trails that served as a source of recreation for thousands of skiers. His major accomplishment was The Maple Leaf Trail, which wound its way 128 kilometres through the Laurentians. The Maple Leaf Trail is still open to skiers but the days of Jackrabbit’s wooden skis and bamboo poles are long gone. Today, skiers glide across the snow on skis made of lightweight materials – fibreglass, carbon and compressed foam – with bases made of P-Tex, a high-density plastic. The bases are “fishscaled” so that waxing according to the temperature and the snow conditions is no longer necessary.
Our region has distinguished itself as a crosscountry skiing destination with dozens of trails and different terrains to choose from.
The Millennium Trail offers a variety of natural landscapes in Prince Edward County including The Dunes Trail that skirts Sandbanks Beach and its famous sand dunes, while the Hastings Hub trail crosses over a historic bridge in town before connecting to the Trans-Canada Trail. The H.R. Frink Cross Country Trail just north of Belleville offers a 1.8 kilometre easy loop that takes only 25 minutes to ski for a quick workout, while the seven Beagle Club Trails in the Northumberland Forest range in distance and difficulty, from the 1.6 kilometre Kiddie Loop to a 13.3 kilometre Green A loop. The Ganaraska Forest has over 35 kilometres of groomed and track-set trails that meander through the forest. Many of the Lower Trent Conservation properties also offer great cross-country opportunities.
Local ski trails are usually open from the beginning of December until the end of March. Staff and volunteers maintain the trails and make sure that any storm debris is cleared, and that the trails are safe.
One last takeaway: By mid-March there isn’t much snow left, especially if you live in a town close to Lake Ontario. But in the forest, the dense conifers protect the snow from the sun and trails hold on to their snow well into April. There may not be snow in town, but there is a wonderful trail waiting for you close by in “the green dark forest, too silent to be real.”
A Selection of Cross-Country Ski Trails
Depending on your skill, there are trails of every length and level of difficulty in the Watershed region. Here is a list to get you started. Snow conditions are usually listed online.
Hastings County
H. R. Frink Trail: 381 Thrasher Road, Plainfield.
quinteconservation.ca
hastingscounty.com
Northumberland County
Beagle Club Trails: 180 Beagle Club Road, Harwood. facebook.com/northumberlandforest
Ganaraska Forest Trails: grca.on.ca
Hastings Hub Trail: Trailhead at Hastings Field House, 97 Elgin St., Hastings. visittrenthills.ca
Prince Edward County
Millennium Trail: The Dunes Trailhead, County Road 12, south of the Dunes Beach day use area and the West Lake Campground entrance.
pectrails.ca
visitthecounty.com
Quinte West
Lower Trent Conservation Trail: Many of the Lower Trent Conservation properties offer great cross-country opportunities
Magic Under the Stars
The picturesque community of Warkworth is tipping the holiday cheer meter with another iteration of Magic Under the Stars. For the whole month of December the village transforms itself into a holiday haven complete with decorated store windows, festive lights and traditional markets.
Beginning on December 6, Festival of Trees launches at the Red Barn in the fairgrounds. More than thirty themed trees will be auctioned off in support of the Percy Agricultural Society. On December 7, the Warkworth Town Hall hosts the annual Cookie Extravaganza with local bakeries offering holiday-inspired treats, and at the Trent Hills Public Library (lower level Town Hall), kids can enjoy activities and crafts from 4-9 p.m.
Every Friday in December (until the 20th), the village stores will also remain open until 9 p.m., and Main Street will feature campfire warming stations, festive food vendors, holiday artisan booths, and a variety of musical performances.
How to Avoid Frozen Pipes
It’s the one thing that every homeowner dreads – water pipes freezing and bursting in the winter! Here are some ways to help avoid costly repairs.
Don’t forget to disconnect, drain, and store hoses connected to outdoor faucets. Drain water from any sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer’s directions and consider using faucet covers.
Insulate any pipes located in unheated areas, such as in the attic, basement, crawl spaces, or garage. In extreme cold, pipes underneath kitchen and bathroom sinks are also vulnerable to freezing. Wrapping your pipes in heat tape or heated cables can also keep them warm enough to prevent freezing.
Inspect your home for any cracks or openings that could let in cold air. Seal any holes around the piping in interior or exterior walls, and keep your garage door closed.
Keep your thermostat set to at least 12 degrees Celsius (55°F) when you are away.
Holiday Lights
Belleville
Festival of Lights launches on November 15 with live music, food vendors, a drone light show and special guests – Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Nov. 15-Jan. 5 – Jane Forrester Park
belleville.ca
Campbellford
The third annual Tree Lighting Ceremony happens in the town square on November 23, followed by carolling and hot cocoa.
Nov. 23-Jan. 5
visittrenthills.ca
Cobourg
Christmas Magic begins on November 22 when thousands of lights and illuminated decorations are turned on.
Nov. 22-Jan. 5 – Victoria & Rotary Parks
experiencecobourg.ca
Quinte West
The Fantasy of Lights go on in Trenton and Frankford after the Santa Claus parade on November 24.
Nov. 24-Jan. 1 – Frankford Tourist Park
Nov. 24-Jan. 1 – Fraser Park
bayofquinte.ca
Port Hope
The Port Hope Candlelight Festival kicks off on Friday November 29 with a walk/ singing procession, wagon rides, tree lighting, displays and a holiday market.
Nov. 29-Jan. 2
porthope.ca
Story by:
Micol Marotti
