* * *
Try the Haliburton Highlands.
Offered is a "sampler" of fun and active experiences such as dog sledding, ice fishing, ice climbing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing, skating, tobogganing and sleigh rides.
These are fully guided, one-or multi-day packages through March 15, with or without accommodations.
"Throw in some wonderful meals, exceptional accommodations, even live entertainment and you have the winter adventure of a lifetime,'' Adams said. www.yoursoutdoors.ca; (705) 754-3436.
* * *
Mush you huskies!
Learn to dogsled and "discover the thrill'' of driving a team of purebred Siberian huskies while exploring Haliburton's winter wonderland.
Participants will be treated to hot chocolate and fresh pastry snacks on the trail and get memorable photos with the huskies.
Offered by Winterdance, it has a variety of options including a 2.5-hour, half-day, full-day, multi-day, moonlight and solo trips. www.winterdance.com; (705) 457-5281.
* * *
Bigfoot lives at the Grand River Conservation Authority's Laurel Creek Nature Centre in Waterloo, at least if there's enough snow.
A snowshoeing outing is planned Jan. 31 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to learn about this "ancient art."
There will also be some trail-side botany and identifying trees and plants, winding up with a round of hot chocolate.
If conditions are not adequate for snowshoes, which will be provided, the adventure will take place on foot.
Reserve at (519) 885-1368. Fees: $10; $5, children; $25/family of four or more.
Weather permitting, there will be cross-country skiing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and an interpretive snowshoe hike, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (pre-register), at Shade's Mills Conservation Area in Cambridge, free admission.
There's ice fishing at Shade's Mills, Belwood Lake in Fergus and Pinehurst Lake in Paris, where there is also snowshoeing. www.grandriver.ca; 1-866-900-4722.
* * *
Terra Cotta Conservation Area, Halton Hills, offers Snowshoeing 101 Jan. 30 and Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
This is to learn the basics of snowshoeing "while enjoying the beautiful winter scenery'' of the Niagara Escarpment, part of the Credit Valley Conservation Authority.
Snowshoes are provided. www.creditvalleyca.ca; (905) 670-1615, Ext. 429.
* * *
Ski for Life teaches outdoors enthusiasts how to cross-country ski.
"Lessons focus on the development of fundamental skiing skills while teaching not only the importance of physical fitness, but also demonstrating cross-country skiing as an active winter lifestyle.''
Depending on conditions, lessons are offered at locations including Albion Hills, Bolton; Laurel Creek, Waterloo; Arrowhead Park, Huntsville; Holiday House B&B near Belleville; Borden Crescent Walking Trail, Tillsonburg; and Wildwood Conservation Area . www.skiforlife.net; (519) 842-4652.
* * *
Dog sled races will take place Jan. 30 and 31, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Woodbridge, north of Toronto.
"Come and enjoy a variety of race lengths and formats all run by animals who truly love their work,'' Adams said.
Admission is $8; $6, seniors and children; free to age four; $4 for parking. www.kortright.org; (905) 832-2289.
* * *
Nature in the City, presented by Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, is a series of illustrated talks about nature in London.
The free series on Tuesdays from Jan. 19 through Feb. 23 runs from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Central Library (Wolf Performance Hall) at 251 Dundas St.
Soaring with Raptors on Jan. 19 features Steve Bucciarelli of Predator Bird Services showing one of the birds while "On the Trail of the Wild Mammals: Tracks and Scats of Elusive Creatures'' is Jan. 26 with Alistair MacKenzie of Pinery Provincial Park.
On Feb. 2, Monarch Migration has University of Western Ontario biologist Jeremy McNeil tracing the amazing life story of the butterflies that spend their winters in Mexico.
Wetland Wildflowers is the Feb. 9 topic with UWO botanist Jane Bowles. London's Amazing Tree Quest is Feb. 16 with urban forester Ivan Listar discussing the ReForest London contest to discover the most distinctive trees.
On Feb. 23, learn about the Coves, the oxbow ponds and wetland remnants of an ancient meander of the Thames River with Jaclyn Goodwillie of Friends of the Coves Subwatershed. www.thamesriver.on.ca; (519) 451-2800.
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com-- -- --
IF YOU GO
To learn more about great Ontario outdoor adventures, go to www.ontariotravel.net/outdoor or call 1-800-ONTARIO (668-2746).
Head outdoors for winter funHonda announced a donation to the Red Cross of more than $300,000
