Muskoka is quickly becoming the destination of choice for backcountry ski enthusiasts who get to see a side of the area that is hidden to most
For years Muskoka has been a haven for winter sports enthusiasts. Miles of pristine snowmobiling trails and some excellent ice fishing mean that when temperatures drop and the snow flies, outdoors is the place to be.
Muskoka also has some excellent cross-country ski trails but for a growing number of outdoor enthusiasts, following the beaten path is not for them. They want to get out and exploring the wilderness is the big thrill. Welcome to the world of backcountry skiing.
“As with most sports there are different levels to cross-country skiing,” said Pete deMos from Muskoka Outfitters in Bracebridge. “I like to think of it a bit like cycling. There are the skiers who are like road racers. High performance skis replacing expensive, streamlined bikes. They like to get their blood pumping and get a good aerobic workout while sticking to known routes.” Like road racers, their clothing is high tech and very light as it does not have to keep the wearers too warm. They will be generating lots of body heat while working hard.
“Backcountry skiers are the mountain bike crowd. They have the ability to get off the beaten track and love to do so.”
In recent years ski technology has meant more remote areas have become accessible. Where standard cross-country skis are long and narrow and built for speed, their backcountry cousins are built for a more rugged terrain and look more like downhill skis.
“February and March are the best times for skiing here,” said deMos. “You need a good base of snow to cover the rocks and roots, and the longer days make for more time outdoors.”
For those who don’t want to get too extreme but want to get off the well-travelled routes, there are also skis that are a cross between the two. Skate skiing employs a pushing off method that uses the sides of the skis. They are suitable for trails and are great for people who want to do a bit of exploring without getting too far off the trails.
Eric Batty has been a big fan of backcountry skiing for years. He has travelled across Canada to skiing hot spots in British Columbia and Alberta, but has a fondness for Muskoka.
“Skiing out west is totally different from here,” he said. “For one thing there is a lot more risk in the mountains. Avalanches and falling ice are something everyone really has to be aware of. That is not really a problem in Muskoka so I’m very surprised backcountry skiing is not more popular here. I’ve been out in the middle of nowhere in Alberta and I can still come across other skiers. Here, there is no one. It is great.”
Although Batty says the risks of skiing in Muskoka’s wilderness are low, he still recommends taking a wilderness first aid course and making sure that anyone venturing into the wild is properly kitted out.
“Having the essentials is so important,” he said. “You need to carry water, food and warm clothing. You don’t want to be caught out if you have to spend a night outdoors.”
The charms of Muskoka in the winter are not lost on Toronto’s Five Winds Ski Club.
For more than 30 years its members have been coming to the area from the city every Sunday for some great skiing on some 200 kilometres of trails looked after by the club.
Publicity director Fred Chau said members hit the trails in January and keep coming to Muskoka until the snow melts.
“We have around 100 members who have known about the great skiing in Muskoka for decades,” he said. “So much terrain cannot be reached during the summer months because of swamps and lakes. When everything freezes over, new worlds open up and we can ski to some really fantastic places.”
The club has a number of members at different skill levels, so Sunday outings see people sticking to trails or grabbing GPS technology for a real backcountry experience.
“The advent of GPS and better skis has really opened up places in recent years,” said Chau. “With all the snow that has fallen already, this winter it looks like it is going to be another great year.”
