There is no hiding the fact that Saskatchewan winters are long, cold and often quite windy. But, this is no excuse to stay inside all winter and make the permanent indent on the couch just a little deeper.
Winter brings many great outdoor activities to Saskatchewan, such as snowmobiling, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, providing people with endless opportunities to get outside and enjoy the winter season.
For people in the Carlyle area, Moose Mountain Provincial Park (MMPP) offers all these activities and more. With more than 50 km of groomed cross-country ski trails, more than 10 km of snowshoe trails, more than 120 km of snowmobile trails, a toboggan hill and an outdoor skating rink, MMPP is a winter wonderland.
Whether people are living near MMPP or just visiting for a few days, the abundance of activities available make it hard to stay inside on the couch - especially on those mild winter days.
I decided to take advantage of one of those milder winter days this past week and went to the park to check out a few of the many kilometres of cross-country ski trails.
The day started with a stop at the park office, where a nice woman spent about 20 minutes with me going over the cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, and then gave me her personal advice of where I should go. She uses the trails quite often and therefore had first-hand knowledge.
After hearing that the Peninsula Trail for snowshoeing leads a person to one of the most scenic views of Little Kenosee Lake, I wished I had remembered boots so I could have went snowshoeing instead. Then I was reminded the White Tail Trail for cross-country skiing passed the opposite end of the lake, providing the skier with a scenic view, as well.
On the woman's advice, I decided to take the three km White Tail Trail and then go from there, depending on my physical capabilities - which at the time, I thought were awesome. Not so much. Read on, and you'll understand why.
My next stop was Kenosee Inn, where I rented a set of skis and boots. I was impressed by the condition of the skis. They appeared almost brand new. And, the boots were extremely comfortable. I did not remember them 小蓝视频 that comfortable in grade school. Equipment sure has come a long way.
Actually, advances with equipment has spurred a sort of revitalization of cross-country (also called nordic or XC skiing) skiing. The number of people participating in the sport has grown exponentially over the past decade. Snowshoeing has experienced a huge growth, as well.
By the time I reached the head of the trail, I could feel the wind had picked up. The temperature was mild for winter -minus 15 - but the wind was leaving a chill in the air. At this point, I was debating whether I wanted to do the whole three km and back, or whether I would just go up to the scenic lookout and head back.
My mind was made up the moment I made my way onto the trail and the wind diminished. It could be heard rustling among the trees, but the chill was gone. The tall white birch and old aspen provided shelter from the cold.
As I ventured out on the trail, it took a few hundred meters to find my groove. I started out on the groomed corduroy part, but moved onto the ski tracks before long. The ski tracks were wonderful. I found it much easier to gain speed and to get into and stay in a groove.
Before long I was sweating and breathing rapidly. My dog, Keisha, who accompanied me on the trail would run ahead of me and wait, as if to tease, "What, you can't go any faster?"
I couldn't. I was out of breath.
This is why physicians and health care professionals advocate cross-country skiing as one of the best cardiovascular activities. It burns more calories per hour than most other aerobic activities, but is considered lower impact. This makes it a great sport for people of any age.
Once my breathing went back to normal, all I could hear was, well, nothing. Complete silence. As I skied a little further down the White Tail, I began to hear this odd little sound. It sounded rather foreign for the middle of a forest, but as I continued on the trail, I saw the source: a small black and orange pump jack.
Hidden behind many of the tall white birches that line the beautiful, winding trail, the pump jack reminded me that I was still in 小蓝视频east Saskatchewan. Its gentle creaking was soothing, in the most bizarre way possible - almost like the sound of a rocking chair.
The White Tail was quiet. If not for the freshly-groomed corduroy, and the tracks heading off in the distance, I would have thought I was completely alone.
Though, this day the trail was shared with an exuberant young dog who served as a leader along the trail. That is until she met up with another young pup and his elder companion.
We stopped for a quick chat and let the dogs play, before going our separate ways. When we met up again, I was almost back to the head of the trail - and boy, I was ready to go home.
By the time I had completed the first three km, I still felt good, and therefore decided to go the extra one kilometre or so to the warming shack. The weather had not dictated the need, but I just wanted to check it out.
Well, I didn't make it. A short way down the trial my legs began to burn a little from exertion and I had no choice but to begin my trek back. If I had continued, I'm not sure I would have made it back.
By the time I got to the car, I was done for. So much for 小蓝视频 in great shape. Cardiovascular-wise, I was fine. But those legs, oh those legs burned. Cross-country skiing is good for more than just the heart.
This sport is great for building strength in body, and it's also amazing for relieving stress. After working my body that hard, I felt like a new person - a new person with reduced stress.
Though, just 小蓝视频 outdoors and away from people provided a form of stress relief.
So, next time you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed in life, go to Moose Mountain Provincial Park and strap on a set of skis or snowshoes and take the trail less travelled.
You won't regret it.
