COVID statement: Please note that all 2021 events are tentative due to potential COVID-related travel restrictions and snow conditions. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram channels for updates. Our events are open to WWHSTA members and guests only.
Twigfest – January 30, 2021 (postponed)
January 7, 2021: The WWHSTA board is sad to announce that Twigfest 2021, originally scheduled for January 30th, is postponed. Perhaps it can happen at a later date, but at this point provincial guidelines are restricting travel between regions and with the current lockdown regulations on group gatherings, we just can’t do it. This would have been the fifth annual gathering at Nickle Peak and we had high hopes that it was going to be the best so far. Twigfest would have been WWHSTA’s first on-snow event and it’s crushing for us to make this decision, but totally necessary. A big part of WWHSTA’s start up, which began last spring, was to create something to give people hope. We are very disappointed that we are unable to offer our enthusiastic new members much in the way of events this season and sincerely apologize for that. Stay tuned, we will post updates once we have a sense about whether it is safe to host the event later this season. Be safe, ski close to home if you can and keep it mellow.
Since 2017, Twigfest continues to be southern Ontario’s only wilderness skiing festival (we’ll give the north to our friends at the SnowFlea Festival). Twigfest takes place at Nickle Peak, one of WWHSTA’s main areas of exploration, and is a great opportunity to meet fellow powder hounds and get acquainted with this remote and special area deep in the Almaguin Highlands, near Algonquin Park.
Nickle Peak is a remote setting at the end of a forestry operations road, with no cell service (maybe one bar at the top of the ridge). You will need to be self-sufficient, with food, water, repair kit, first aid kit, compass and other essential equipment for a wintry day in the backcountry.
Weather permitting, there will be lots of powder to ride with natural glade skiing, a possibility of ice fishing for trout, and excellent terrain for touring and exploration on Crown Land, with no snowmobile trails. Twigfest participants will be able to warm up and dry out at Hodge Podge Lodge, a prospector tent with woodstove. Ski-in distance to the tent is 1 km, roughly 20 to 30 minutes.
Twigfest registration is limited, please watch for updates on our facebook page. If weather or snow conditions are a bust we will reschedule for the following weekend.
World Telemark Day – March 6, 2021 (WWHSTA Limberlost event cancelled)
March 1, 2021: The WWHSTA board is again sad to announce that WWHSTA’s celebration of World Telemark Day for 2021 will not take place due to COVID-related restrictions. If you can ski or snowboard on March 6, please post a photo to our Facebook pages in celebration. We will see you in 2022!
Celebrate spring skiing at World Telemark Day 2021, WWHSTA-style! Conditions permitting, we will be based at the Top of the World cabin at the Limberlost Forest Reserve, 11AM-3PM on Saturday March 6. Participants are encouraged to dress and ski “old-school” as a nod to our telemark forebearers. You pick your era: vintage wool and tweed, hippy bark-eater style or 80s neon – there will be prizes for best costumes.
Health restrictions permitting, we hope to offer BBQ treats and a big pot of chili. Funds raised will go toward new signage for the Limberlost glade system and cabin upgrades. A donation will be made to Protect Our Winters (POW) Canada. All attendees are encouraged to join the POW movement and encourage others to do so. Please join us and enjoy the hill on foot, snowshoes, toboggan, GT Sno-racer snowboard or skis: you don’t need to be a telemarker to join the fun, come one and all!
For people interested in making a weekend out of it, the Limberlost Forest offers cabin accommodation. Please visit the Limberlost site for details and booking information.
Annual Limberlost Glading Day and AGM – Oct. 16-17, 2021
For three years in a row, WWHSTA founders have organized a work day to open up some of the abandoned ski runs at the “Top of the World” ski hill at Limberlost. With the permission and encouragement of the Reserve’s owners and managers, we have created multiple glade runs on the hill, and continue to explore the area for new possibilities.
The glading day will involve work with hand tools only and participants will work in teams to maintain areas opened up in previous years, and potentially develop new lines.
New for 2021 will be the addition of the WWHSTA annual general meeting. Gathering restrictions permitting, we’re excited to host an in-person meeting of the WWHSTA membership to discuss future plans, new developments and WWHSTA business. Once again, stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram channels for updates.
For people interested in making a weekend out of it, the Limberlost Forest offers cabin accommodation. Please visit the Limberlost site for details and booking information.