Here is a summary of WWHSTA EVENTS for 2023. Scroll down for more details. All events are “conditions dependent,” so stay tuned to the snow chair report for current conditions. Please note that our events are for WWHSTA members only, so be sure to purchase a membership before heading out!
Limberlost Orientation Tour – Saturday, Jan 7
While there is decent coverage on a solid base, we cannot promise an epic Ontario Powder Day. If you are wanting to get familiar with the terrain at Limberlost and are happy to tour around in the woods (and if the conditions allow, maybe throw down a couple of turns through the trees), this is still a wonderful opportunity to get together.
Meet at the Buck Lake Landing parking spot at 10 am and don’t forget to fill out the Limberlost “Safety Responsibility Contract” online ahead of time. Bring snacks, lunch and an adventurous spirit. WWHSTA hats will be available at Limberlost on Saturday, so please bring $45 cash or prepay via e-transfer.
As always, this is a members-only event – if you haven’t gotten around to registering, you can do so here. To help with preparations, email Jeff Mann to RSVP.
Twigfest – February 4
Twigfest, the heart and soul of WWHSTA, is a backcountry ski/snowboard festival organized by WWHSTA board member Jeff LeChef. In short, we join up to ski an area of natural maple glades on a large 425 vertical foot hill on remote crown land northeast of Kearney, ON, known colloquially as Nickle Peak.
In advance, Jeff and his crew of volunteers set up a prospector tent with wood stove, Coleman stove and chairs for everyone to use. There will be pots and pans, and coffee and hot chocolate if you want to brew up a hot drink or cook something simple.
WWHSTA will make the call on whether or not conditions are good a week in advance. If we have a solid base and 6 inches of powder, then it will be a go.
The riding is fairly challenging, in wilderness conditions on a range of slopes from gentle to very steep. Twigginess varies. If you are comfortable at Limberlost you should have no problem here. We encourage everyone to ski within their comfort zone and we will look after less experienced folks. The hot tent will be situated at the bottom of a wide open, gentle bowl where folks can get warmed up and practice.
Bellevue Trip 2023, Bellevue Valley Lodge, Goulais River, ON – Feb 9-12, 2023
In February 2022, four WWHSTA members headed up to Bellevue Valley Lodge just outside of Sault Ste Marie. The success of tis trip meant that we had to repeat it in 20323. The lodge has access to 1000 acres of high Algoma ridges, which owners Robin and Enn have been carefully and expertly glading for over three decades. Throw in the fact that the 200m-high ridges can get 250-300cm of snow in a winter and all of the ingredients are there for phenomenal ski touring. The WWHSTA group will be guided by Enn and other noted locals, with the most intimate knowledge of the best powder stashes. Note that there are ski options for intermediate to expert on this experience.
The lodge features five beds, two bedrooms, bathroom, large, bright living area and a tidy kitchen. There is also a large drying room for all your wet gear. Save the date, pricing and more details coming soon.
Tasso Tour – Monday, February 27
Join a group of fellow WWHSTA members for a day of touring at Tasso Highlands! The event will take place on Monday, February 27 from 10am to 2pm. Participants will meet at the Tasso Lake dam near the north end of North Tasso Lake Road between 9 and 9:30am.
Tasso is one of the areas for which WWHSTA has submitted a plan to the MNRF for a system of ski touring routes. It is on the very edge of both Muskoka and Algonquin Park, The hills in the area are the highest in the district. The area has much to offer ski tourers, but it is also a remote place and challenging place to travel. Attendees will get to head out, with a board member who knows the area well, on the looping routes and experience the place for themselves.
Attendees should come prepared for backcountry travel over rough terrain with variable weather and snow conditions. Bring sufficient food and water, there are no washroom facilities available. Skis with skins and metal edges are a must. AT or telemark is great, but Altai Hoks (available for rent from Algonquin Outfitters) or OAC will also work.
If you’re interested in the tour please email Jeff Mann to RSVP.
Backcountry Ski Festival/World Telemark Day – Saturday, March 4
Celebrate spring skiing at World Telemark Day 2023, WWHSTA style at Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve, near Huntsville Ontario (https://limberlostforest.com/) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Park at at the Buck Lake Landing lot, near the ski hill (overflow parking at the main parking lot near the entrance and ski in, roughly 300m) The meet-up area will be at the base of the ski hill. We will try to gather, at lunch time (noon) for a BYO picnic with all attendees at the base of the ski hill
This is a drop-in event, open to WWHSTA members and the public. Bring a friend!
Folks are encouraged to dress up in their best ski duds. That might mean a tweed suit, a classic eighties ski ensemble or however else you choose. There will be opportunities to explore the Limberlost glades with experienced skiers on AT or telemark equipment with skins – there are also opportunities for Nordic skiing, and even tobogganing. Helmets are very strongly encouraged for all downhill activities.
Please come prepared to be self-sufficient. However there is drinking water available at the main Limberlost office and there is a port-a-potty in the Buck Lake Landing parking lot and the main parking lot near the entrance
Feel free to bring your own chairs and portable seating to the base of the ski hill. It is about 100m from the Buck Lake Landing parking lot.
Campsites and lovely cabins/cottages are available for rent at Limberlost, contact them for details .
All attendees MUST complete the Limberlost safety contract: https://limberlostforest.com/safety-responsibility-contract/
To help with preparations, email Jeff Mann to RSVP.
Tour de Vallée 2023 – RESCHEDULED to SUNDAY, APRIL 2!
(Please note this event has moved from Saturday, April 1 to the next day, because of the torrential rain in the forecast for Saturday. Hope everyone can make it out!)
Join us for a day glorious spring skiing at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area on Sunday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open only to WWHSTA members, this is a ski touring event – lifts will not be running and climbing skins are highly recommended.
What you need to know:
- Cost is $10 to be paid in CASH (a portion of the proceeds will go to Spirit North).
- You will need to complete a HVHSA waiver once you arrive on-site.
- BYO lunch and snacks.
- Beer will be available for sale (can be purchased with cash or card) – please consume responsibly and do not drink and ski/drive.
- Some terrain will be closed for safety – please respect closures.
- Tickets must be visible and worn at all times.
- Alpine touring, snowboards, splitboards, and telemark skis with full metal edges and stiff boots are appropriate.
- Helmets are strongly recommended.
Got a friend who wants to come but they are not a WWHSTA member? They can become members here. We will have some limited WWHSTA swag available (including some Twigfest t-shirts – $25 cash or e-transfer).
We are looking forward to skiing with you all in the spring sunshine!