That sums up the thrust of an Ontario Tourism promotion encouraging people to embrace the coming winter season by taking part in outdoor adventures.
To provide some visual incentive to make the trek outdoors, there's the free 2010 Ontario Tourism Outdoor Adventure calendar, highlighting activities throughout the winter and coming year.
"The calendar's stunning photography, featuring the parks of the province, will take you on a journey to both well-known and far-flung regions of Ontario," said tourism publicist Scott Adams.
"Ontario has so many outdoor experiences to offer that it's sometimes hard to grasp them all," he added.
The calendar also provides key outdoor event listings, highlights the birds of the province and features Ontario and national parks, and conservation areas.
Adams provides the following examples of winter experiences that await (and are highlighted on the website www.ontariotravel.net/outdoor):
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Ice climbing in Ancaster
If you can imagine climbing the Khumba Icefall on Mount Everest, here's an alternative to travelling to Nepal for some excellent ice.
Tiffany Falls, near Hamilton, has "some of the most astounding ice in southern Ontario" for climbing.
Participants will hack their way up an icefall with axes and dig their crampons into the blue ice. On this course, they will learn to tie into the rope, belaying, uses of crampons and ice axes, and ice climbing techniques. No experience is necessary for this beginner program.
Depending on the weather, the course might also be available in Elora, near Guelph, and in Rosseau, near Huntsville.
Offered by One Axe Pursuits, the fee is $160 a person and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Algonquin Log Cabin -- Winter Adventures
Participate in an authentic winter adventure at the Algonquin Log Cabin at Surprise Lake in Algonquin Park.
From Voyageur Quest, participants will ski across frozen lakes and snowshoe through waist deep snow. They'll learn how to backcountry ski and mush a team of huskies through the wilderness of the Almaquin trail.
Then, they can rejuvenate in the wood-fired sauna and sleep in lodge accommodations.
The three-day, two-night package is from $595 a person, meals included, with Christmas holiday and New Year's dates available.
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Winter camping -- Yurts, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking
Enjoy Killarney Provincial Park with its 33 kilometres of groomed cross-country trails for skiing and snowshoeing, with endless backcountry opportunities while staying warm in a yurt.
These are aluminum-framed, eight-sided insulated tents 5.86 metres in diameter constructed on a large wooden deck and are furnished and equipped with lights, electric heat and outlets. Outside, there is a barbecue, picnic table, fire pit and metal food storage box.
There is a two-day minimum with camping and day-use fees applying (for details, go to: www.ontarioparks.ca/english/fees.html).
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Daily Stay, Ski and Dine at Blue Mountain
"If you are looking for value and efficiency, Blue Mountain Inn, near Collingwood, has everything you need under one roof," Adams said.
Most inn packages include breakfast and dinner, and provide guests with convenient access to an indoor pool, sauna, games room, fitness room and hot tubs.
Offered is a "winter sampler," downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing.
The inn also has Jozo's Bar, Blue's Lounge, the Pottery Restaurant and the Blue Mountain Inn Conference Centre.
Overnight packages from now through March, midweek Sunday to Thursday, are from $145, double occupancy.
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There are also several events this winter at these conservation areas:
- Cross-Country Family Ski Day at Ganaraska Forest in the Kawarthas, an hour east of Toronto, on Jan. 16 with sessions at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. There are hundreds of kilometres of trails in "southern Ontario's largest forest."
Pre-registration is required, with a fee of $8 a person that includes skis for those without equipment. www.grca.on.ca; (905) 797-2721
- Feed the Chickadees at Terra Cotta Conservation Area in Halton Hills on Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Participants can make bird feeders to encourage winter birds to visit and then "go outside and try to feed the birds from your hand."
Terra Cotta also has Snowshoeing 101 on Jan. 30 and Feb. 13 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to learn the basics of the sport, with equipment provided. Both events are free with park admission of $5 a vehicle. Details: www.creditvalleycons.com; (905) 670-1615, ext. 429.
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If you go:
The Great Ontario Outdoor Adventure calendar is available at no charge from Ontario Tourism centres, Mountain Equipment Co-op stores or on the web at www.ontariotravel.net/outdoor; 1-800-ONTARIO.
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