The people of Greater Sudbury are fortunate to have high quality-recreational opportunities all around them. This also holds true for outdoor activities from sailing to skiing. While many Canadians have to travel 300 kilometers, or further, to find quality places to enjoy their favourite outdoor activity, we, in Sudbury, rarely have to travel more than 100. Most of our quality locations are much closer than that.
For the cross-country skier, we have trail systems scattered throughout Greater Sudbury, all of which provide unique skiing experiences. From Capreol to Sudbury to Lively and Onaping, there are trails to match the preferences and ability levels of all skiers. The Laurentian Conservation Area and Capreol provide wonderful experiences for the classic skier, while the university, Walden and Windy Lake trail systems provide great skiing for both classic and skate skiing. Most of our trail systems have chalets and rental equipment available.
With our shorter, more unpredictable winters, it is important to have choices, since some of our ski areas gain snow faster and hold onto it longer than others. The Windy Lake trails, for example, are usually opened earlier, closed later and have better snow conditions than the others.
Cross-country skiing is a fun, relatively inexpensive and healthy activity for the whole family. Sudbury is fortunate to have so many choices for the cross-country skier. Most of our trail systems have websites containing useful information about location, trail conditions and events.
I have been an avid outdoor enthusiast and cross-country skier for 40 years. I have lived in southern Ontario and have skied the best trail systems there. I have also skied in Quebec and in British Columbia. I have lived in Sudbury for seven years and believe that our numerous and varied trail systems make cross-country skiing in Sudbury second to none.
John Gaul is a Greater Sudbury resident who has been a recreational cross-country skier for the past 40 years. This is the first in a series of columns about cross-country skiing.
Posted by Laurel Myers
