Cross country (XC) skiing is a very healthful and enjoyable sport for both the young and the young at heart. Lake skiing is great exercise for all ages and an excellent introduction for beginners. For the more advanced person, several routes are available throughout the Temagami area including the trails of the White Bear Old Growth Forest (directly in front of the lodge) with its majestic pines and unparalleled scenery. Several access points are available to hikers, skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts for a variety of trails offering different levels of difficulty.
One of the more popular access points directly into the interior of the White Bear Forest can be found close to the lodge at the east end of Pecore Bay. A scenic 2 km trek along the shoreline with panoramic views of the giant pines will bring you to the beginning of one of the many authenticated Indian portage trails (the Nastawgan, na-STAW-gan) through this ancient and undisturbed forest ecosystem. Archeologists have documented these land trails to be approximately 6,000 years old, easily making them 2,000 years older than the great pyramids in Egypt. Some of the white pines, over 5 feet (1 1/2m) in diameter, were mere saplings when Columbus arrived in North America over 500 years ago.
Our knowledgeable staff are eager to assist you and help plan a guided or self-guided one-day excursion through some of Ontario’s finest old growth pine forests. Loops, or circle trails, can be snowshoed or skied without ever having to backtrack on the same routes. To preserve the natural beauty of the forest and to ensure the wilderness experience of these trails, none have been groomed with a track-set for XC skis. Snowshoe rentals are available at the lodge. There are not any local rentals for skis, poles and footwear so guests must bring their own equipment. Trail maps are available for guests at the lodge. Depending on snow conditions that vary from year to year, skiing and snowshoeing begins in early December and lasts through late March or early April.
After a day of hiking the trails or exploring on your own, relax in our sauna and then enjoy a game of billiards or shuffleboard before sitting down to another of Marg’s all you can eat buffet meals in our dining area.
I will post any good quality pics (with photo credits) on this page that are taken by our guests. Pictures for inclusion should be in a 300 X 225 pixel jpeg size with a quality rating of 75.
Winter Trail and Snow Conditions 2021/2022
Friday, December 31, 2021. We have plenty of good dry snow now with about a foot in the forest and at least 6 inches on area lakes that have 10 inches of clear hard ice without any slush on them. Both snowshoeing and XC skiing guests have marveled at the pristine wilderness on the White Bear Forest trail system ... and there's nobody else on them! Critter sightings have included ruffed grouse (bush chickens), snowshoe hares, red fox, pine marten and countless songbirds, some of which included chickadees, sparrows, blue jays, whiskey jacks and even a pair of bald eagles. Besides the above mentioned animals, other tracks in the snow have included lynx, timber wolves, otter, fisher, ermine, shrews and mice although only tracks have been seen of them. Remember to keep your cell phones or camers close as you never know what might be waiting just around the corner or over the hill and they are just as interested in seeing what is coming through "their turf" as you are in seeing them. And be ready; they won't wait forever for you to take their pics!
From time to time, some of our guests are looking to either buy or sell skis or snowshoes and related items. When this happens, I try to help them with this by posting a note and picture on this website on the Items For Sale page which can be accessed from the top of this page. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in buying these items, please look here first.
Check-in times for weekly packages are after 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays and check-out times are before 11:00 a.m. on the following Saturdays. For overnight packages, the same times apply for each day. Please inquire about any variations that can be made to these time schedules.
Responsible use of alcoholic beverages is allowed on lodge property. However, we are not a licensed outlet for the sale of these beverages.
Pets are always welcome.
Key Benefits
Breath taking winter scenery.
Modern clean accommodations.
Internationally famous home cooked meals.
Unimaginable flora and fauna photo opportunities.
Snowshoe rental equipment available at the lodge.
Prices
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Description |
Price |
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Snowshoe |
Daily |
$25.00 |
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Weekly |
$150.00 |
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Accommodations |
Overnight |
$94.95 p.p. |
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2 nights or more |
$89.95 p.p./day |
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Kids 16 & under are half price. |
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Guiding |
Half Day |
$100.00 |
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Whole Day |
$150.00 |
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Extra people - $25/half day, $50/whole day |
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Note: Damage deposit required on all rentals. |
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All reservations require a 50% deposit by e-tranfer or certified check at time of booking.
Cancellations with refunds are accepted up to 30 days before arrival. Service charges may apply.
The final 50% is due 30 days before arrival and there are no refunds after that.
No monetary refunds for early returns on rentals.
Send mail to paradise@onlink.net with questions or comments about this web site.Effective immediately, we are only accepting payment by cash, certified checks or e-transfers. |