“Everybody needs a little bit of ‘bush therapy,’ and you’re certainly going to get that out here.”
That from Tina Bowen, Hiawatha Highlands operations manager.
“We have good news that our trails will remain open through the (provincial COVID-19) lockdown (which begins Dec. 26 and is scheduled to last for 14 days in northern Ontario, 28 days in the south).”
“Mental health (as well as the physical health of people during the lockdown) needs to be addressed. We spoke with the public health unit (Algoma Public Health) and they advised us we can continue to groom our trails,” Bowen told SooToday Wednesday.
“Whether you’re skiing, snowshoeing or fat biking, you’re one with yourself out there on the trails. It’s a good place to clear your mind (a relief from being cooped up during the looming COVID lockdown).”
“We have our main system up and running. Of course more snow is always better, but our Pinder system is completely open and packed ready for skiing and our two kilometre trail is also ready to go. More snow would open up more trails at this time,” Bowen said.
Hiawatha Highlands and the Soo Finnish Nordic Ski Club typically offer more than 50 kilometres of winter beauty on their Crystal, Pinder and Red Pine systems of trails for cross country skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking.
“We were very relieved (to be informed by APH the Highlands could remain open during the upcoming lockdown, because back in March we had to close two to three weeks earlier than usual, but we had a really great COVID operational plan submitted to Algoma Public Health and they were very impressed with our back to work report. They know that we’re on our ‘A game’ for being COVID-accountable,” Bowen said.
In addition, new fat bike trails are coming to Hiawatha.
Hiawatha Highlands staff members will be on hand as usual, but buildings (including food and beverage service) will be closed to the public, curbside service in place for people who wish to purchase day passes.
“We won’t be doing any rentals other than snowshoes. It’s very hard to fit for cross country skis and shoes out in a parking lot, so for the 14 days of the lockdown we’re just going to offer up snowshoe rentals, but if you’ve got your own cross country skis and have purchased your day pass you’re good to go,” Bowen said.
Hiawatha Highlands will still be operating at its usual hours throughout the lockdown, seven days a week.
North of the Sault, at Whispering Pines Road in Batchawana Bay, ice climbing is available for extra adventurous types at Superior Exploration Climbing & Adventure rock faces.
“We’ve been climbing since November 25th,” said Shaun Parent, Superior Exploration Climbing & Adventure head guide.
“We have a beginners area where we take the students. The wall’s 30 metres high and 100 metres wide,” Parent said.
Business has been good, though Parent said groups from southern Ontario have had to recently cancel their plans to visit the climbing area due to COVID restrictions.
In contrast, Searchmont Resort made the decision earlier to not begin its regular snowmaking process this season, hoping instead for heavy, natural snowfall (likely not to happen until January).
“Due to the current COVID-19 lockdown, any decision in regards to opening will be reviewed once the restrictions have been lifted,” a more recent Searchmont Resort statement reads.
Other winter recreation sites are struggling to open during these mild days, such as City of Sault Ste. Marie-operated outdoor rinks.
“It was our intention to have the rinks up and running during the holidays. Unfortunately nature is not cooperating at this time. We will have staff on to try and make them available once the temperatures lower and the conditions are more favorable,” wrote Larry Girardi, the City’s Deputy CAO, Public Works and Engineering Services in an email.
Girardi said City Hall will notify the public when the rinks are ready to open.
“Keep in mind we will follow all provincial orders and Algoma Public Health directions as to how the public can attend the outdoor facilities,” Girardi wrote.
Snowmobiling in the Sault and area?
Not likely.
“(There is) nowhere enough snow to work with anywhere on our system. Only place that has anything at this time is Kapuskasing and Cochrane,” replied John Breckinridge, Sault Trailblazers Snowmobile Club president, via Facebook.
All of which means if the weather doesn't change, Sault families choosing not to visit the Hiawatha Highlands will have to keep on binge watching their favourite TV shows or playing board games throughout the lockdown.
