Download Visitor Guide - Huntsville Adventures

Kelly Holinshead
On a winter morning, it is most uplifting to wake and see fresh snow
blanketing the ground outside. The splendor of bent snow-laden
conifer limbs is enough to entice one outdoors to experience this
beauty of nature.
The Huntsville/Lake of Bays
area is one of few places where one
can become involved in outdoor
wilderness adventure. It is for this
very reason that I was drawn back
to the area of my roots to practice
professionally and to participate
in the many available recreational
activities. Winter in Muskoka is a
time to embrace the outdoors.
Whether one heads out for a
winter run on a snow-covered road
or breaks fresh trail snowshoeing in
the forest, the tranquility and peace
that can be experienced, in and of
itself, can be revitalizing.
Some people may seek
pleasure in ice fishing on a small
back country lake in search of the
elusive speckled trout. Others find
satisfaction on a crisp winter day,
trekking through the bush, keeping
a watchful eye for signs of wildlife
native to the area.
Those looking for a little more
speed and excitement will perhaps
find it by skate-skiing on the local
Kelly Holinshead
Kim Goltz-Cross
[ By Lowell Greib MSc ND CISSN, The SportLab ]
trails. Huntsville is noted to have some of the best groomed
cross-country ski trails in the province. As an athlete, it is always
a remarkable feeling to find that state of bliss while moving across
the snow – finding flow… that state
of Zen – as you effortlessly move
through the forest.
From time to time, it is great to
get out with friends – four-legged
ones that is! Some area-groomed
trails can be used for skijoring. This
sport originated in Scandinavia and
is a mix between cross-country
skiing and dog sledding. The skier
is harnessed to one or more dogs
and the resulting team works as
one, zipping through the forest. It is
an exhilarating experience to sense
the energy of the dogs while they
work to help you move through the
boreal landscape!
In essence, any outdoor wilderness
adventure is one that can offer
enjoyment, peace and freedom. As
literature suggests, it is evident that
stress can be dramatically reduced
when even a small amount of time
is spent with Mother Nature… even
if Old Man Winter does try to
dampen your spirits.
WWW.HUNTSVILLEADVENTURES.COM • 2012/13 VISITORS GUIDE 23
Trish Kruusmagi