People often associate winter with misery. The snow and the cold can make some Canadians head for the hills but what if they ran for the ski hills instead?
Ontario is one of Canada’s largest winter playgrounds with a seemingly endless amount of activities to do. Within two hours of the Toronto area people can experience some of the best winter has to offer. From skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing or ice fishing, Ontario winters have activities for everyone.
Getting active in the winter can make the colder months go by faster. Snow shoeing is relatively inexpensive and is a great way to enjoy the outdoors. A pair of snowshoes can cost anywhere from $60 to $150. Snowshoes are a one time purchase and you can use them with your normal winter boots. If you want to rent snowshoes why not go to a conservation area? That costs 15 dollars for the day and you can walk around in a beautiful natural surrounding.
Ice fishing is another great way to spend a cold winter’s day. If you want to go ice fishing you’ll need to purchase some equipment first. The rods cost anywhere from $10 dollars to $100. However, the drill costs a little bit more with a hand powered drill running around $50 and a gas powered drill costing a whopping $350. Used rods and drills are also available. Just make sure the ice is thick enough before you go drilling holes.
“The bottom line is that our seasonal country provides us with such positive healthy activity choices.”
Some people love the winter and part of their passion is getting others involved in a sport that they love. Jim Morris is just such a person. Morris has been skiing his whole life and is the ski school director at Mount St. Louis Moonstone. To Morris, getting out and enjoying winter is not only important but necessary:
“The bottom line is that our seasonal country provides us with such positive healthy activity choices. Skiing and snowboarding are activities which can be enjoyed at any level for a lifetime. They are outdoor activities that promote a healthy lifestyle and contribute positively to the well being of personal health, growth and development, which translate into positive, healthy individuals.”
Learning to ski or snowboard can be some of the most fun you’ll have all year. Although skiing and snowboarding can be expensive there are ways to make it more affordable.
One thing you can do is carpool. Getting friends to go skiing with you can be both fun and cheaper. Another trick is to bring your own lunch as chalet food is often very expensive. Rentals can cost up to 80 dollars. However this is still a cheaper alternative to purchasing your own equipment. Lastly, you can look online for lift ticket deals as an average Ontario lift ticket ranges from $50 to $100.
Be it snow shoeing, skiing, or ice fishing there’s aways something to do in the great white north. The map below shows you where you can go this winter to stay active and have fun.