Countryside Adventures north of Cornwall, Ont. offers family outdoor fun this winter
With the cold weather here to stick around, there's a new spot north of Cornwall, Ont. to enjoy multiple winter sports, offering outdoor activities for all ages.
At Countryside Adventures near Moose Creek, a three-kilometre long skating trail through the woods awaits.
"I love how kind of secluded it is," said Melissa Cleroux. "It's a nice trail and the ice is really nice today."
Cleroux and Ryan Topping made the trip from Ottawa on a cold winter's day with the wind chill making it feel like in the minus 20s.
"It's literally perfect today," Topping said. "The sun shines through and when you're moving around it's not even cold anymore. When you get going you heat up a little bit it's really nice."
Nicolas Seguin opened the trail in 2018 on his property, and it has been growing in popularity since.
"People love it." Seguin said. "When they go to leave they just tell us how they loved it and how the experience was amazing."
While he says it's sometimes tough to keep the ice in good condition, the cold temperatures have really helped.
"Ice, it stays nice for a long time when it's cold like this," Seguin said. "It doesn't get rutted out and even if we get quite a bit of people it stays in great condition."
For those not into skating, a tubing park is also available with three runs.
The three run tubing part at Countryside Adventures in Moose Creek, Ont. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)
"People from all ages just love it," Seguin said. "Little kids, big kids, adults. They can go at the same time and we allow two tubes to be attached at the same time going down the hill."
Snowshoeing is also available, and thanks to the storm on Monday, those trails will open on Saturday.
A bonfire and food truck are on site as well, offering poutine and a little something else.
"A pastry that we call it a Moose Ear. It's kind of like a Beavertail," Seguin smiled.
The weekdays are not as busy, which is perfect for Lucy Shaver and Scott Anderson, taking the trip from the Cornwall area.
"The sun is shining today so we're just anxious to get going," Anderson said. "They maintain the ice very well here and you're sheltered out of the wind. Like it's a cold day here but we're not really that cold."
Scott Anderson heads onto the three-kilometre skating trail at Countryside Adventures in Moose Creek, Ont. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)
With them was Conner Hines, visiting from Vancouver. His first time on skates in 10 years.
"I've never skated through the woods like this before," Hines said. "It didn't even occur to me you could do that. Definitely can't have anything like this in Vancouver, it never stays cold long enough."
The trail is also lit up at night, something Seguin says is worth the trip.
"A lot of people come after school during the week because it's not as busy and you can experience the daylight experience and the nighttime skating as well," Seguin said.
"It's not too bright, it's a warm white and it makes it really romantic," he added.
Skates and snowshoes are also available to rent on site.
"We have quite a bit of rentals. We've quadrupled our inventory since COVID because a lot of people wanted to do stuff outside," added Seguin.
"During the holidays, we get a lot of international visitors from all over the world. They don't have their skates with them," he said. "This holiday we had a lady from New Zealand, she came I think four times during the holidays with her daughters."
The three-kilometre skating trail at Countryside Adventures in Moose Creek, Ont. (Nate Vandermeer/CTV News Ottawa)
COVID restrictions are in place, with masks worn inside. The change rooms are also closed to the public, with people only allowed to lace up outside on benches.
According to Seguin, Countryside Adventures is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, and a 30-minute drive north from Cornwall.
Tickets can be purchased online or in person, with rates and package information available on their website.
"With COVID, it's an outdoor activity everyone can enjoy," added Anderson, heading out for another loop. "As long as you're dressed up properly, you are good to go!"
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
What a U.S. farmworker’s case of bird flu tells us about tracking the infection
A U.S. farmworker who caught bird flu after working with dairy cattle in Texas appears to be the first known case of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus, a new study shows.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.