Page 9 - Trending Magazine 2017 Winter

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A recreational playground in the visitors province-wide. Their
summer, Westman residents slopes don’t only accommodate
should know the breadth of the skiiers and snowboarders, but
activities doesn’t diminish when lanes specifically for tubing, while
the temperatures plunge. snow bikes and snowshoes are
Whether you’re strapping on the available for rent, too.
skates, a set of skis or sliding
onto a sled, there are plenty of
ways to play in the snow.
Here is just a sampling of the There are other ways to hurtle
options available this winter — yourself to the ground, should you
weather permitting, of course: choose.
A hill and a toboggan are among
the great marriages of winter.
In Brandon, Wheat City Golf
The grassroots of Canada’s game Course and Hanbury Hill, just off
are on the frozen pond. In Braecrest Drive in Sir Winston
Westman, there are ample rinks to Churchill Park, are two such spots.
find the twine, or enjoy a casual For a getaway, head to Adam Lake
skate. at Turtle Mountain Provincial Park
Head to Riding Mountain National — a popular outing for school field
Park where visitors can glide trip — to try their toboggan slide.
down a sidewalk of ice, from the Make a day of it, by also skating or
log cabin-style warming shack to cross-country skiing.
the rink on Clear Lake. Visit Feb. 9-
11 for Winter Adventure
Weekend, to skate under the
twinkle of lights. Find a ditch outside Brandon, and
Should you crave pond hockey, you might spot a snowmobile.
don’t miss the 4-on-4 Skate the Should you require a destination
Lake tournament held on Lake for your ride, Spruce Woods
Minnedosa from Feb. 17-18. No Provincial Park and Turtle
‘tendies’ are between the pipes as Mountain Provincial Park have
customized low-to-the-ground room to ride.
nets ensure netminders are out Trails run for hundreds of
and offensive creativity is in. kilometres in Westman. Visit
A smattering of places have snoman.mb.ca for a peek at the
outdoor rinks in Brandon, vast network of trails. There is one
including East End (405 Park near you.
Street), Green Acres (411 Queens
Avenue East) and the North End
(1313 Stickney Avenue).
If you want to add some levitation
to a run down the slopes, try snow
kiting. Harnessing the power of
Trails aren’t just for hikers in the the wind, kiteboarders hang onto
summertime. A fresh coat of snow a kite as they’re dragged along
transforms those same routes into snow or ice.
all-season thoroughfares. Launch your skiing and
Take Brandon Hills, south of the snowboarding skills with an
city, for cross-country routes introductory 1.5-hour group
lasting for kilometres. training session with the team at
Riding Mountain National Park Asessippi Kiteboarding, in the area
boasts 260 kilometres of cross- surrounding Asessippi. You’ll
country trails. An extensive spring $140 for it.
network of routes for skiiers and Or, try the Snowkiting Stage 1
snowmobilers are found at Spruce class, which includes the
Woods Provincial Park and Turtle introductory lesson, as well as
Mountain Provincial Park. From equipment review, safe riding
the Birtle Riverside Park, 15 practices, kite control and
kilometres of groomed cross- extended time learning. The class
country ski trails begin, with comes with a learn-to-ride
shorter segments of 2.5, 4, 5 and guarantee, promising you’ll be
7 km loops, sheltered by a riding on day one or can come
forested canopy, available. back for free.
For the downhill enthusiasts, Ski
Valley quenches your need for
speed, seven kilometres north of By Ian Froese
Photo: Tim Smith Minnedosa. Asessippi Ski Area and with files from Tourism Westman
Resort, west of Inglis, attracts