MOUNTAIN LIFE - Blue Mountains | Winter 2018

WINTER 2018 ML BLUE 49 words :: C.G. Fuego Unless you’re going to lay on a beach or ski in some actual mountains, it seems a bit crazy to leave Collingwood in the winter; where could be better? You’ve got ski hills, snowshoeing trails and tons of snow (depending on the year). But sometimes you just need to get away, right? And for a simple staycation, Arrowhead Provincial Park ticks all the boxes: it’s a quick, easy way to forget the daily grind. Just outside Huntsville, Ontario, the real star of this park is the 1.3 kilometre man-made skating trail that winds through the woods. It’s tons of fun for any age and when the conditions are right, they light it up at night with tiki torches. Called Fire and Ice nights they’re usually held on Saturdays, but be sure to check their website on dates and conditions before heading out there. Combine the skating trails with one of their cabins and you’ve got the perfect combination of getaway and peace and quiet. The one-room cabins sleep up to five and are equipped with a kitchenette, a barbecue for outdoor grilling and a wood stove to keep everyone warm. When your feet get too sore from cramming them into ice skates, there is lots of other stuff to do in the park. There are 33 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, and a tubing hill. All with rental options in the case you don’t own the gear. The Canadian Shield prevails here with Arrowhead Lake providing incredible scenery in the always- beautiful Muskoka region. Arrowhead is just two hours away from Collingwood and it is worth every minute of driving to get to. The silence, the stars, the scenery and of course, the skating provide the perfect escape from everyday life. SHARPEN UP A FOREST SKATE TRAIL IS JUST THE START OF ARROWHEAD'S WINTER OFFERINGS BACK YARD Just outside Huntsville, Ontario, the real star of this park is the 1.3 kilometre man- made skating trail that winds through the woods. The real star of the winter offerings at Arrowhead Provincial Park: the skating loop. COLIN FIELD