The Snowshoe Shuffle interest group headed out on a January 10 bus trip to Highland Nordic for a winter adventure. We traveled in comfort on a tour bus equipped with seatbelts, charging outlets, and an onboard washroom for the nearly two-hour drive.

The resort had been closed the day before due to poor weather, with unusually warm temperatures around 12°C and rain. Overnight, however, temperatures dropped enough for the grooming machines to lay some fresh snow over the icy base. Three of us joined the HOC snowshoe group, a friendly mix of about a dozen members with varying levels of experience.

The trail conditions proved challenging, especially for a few of us who were new to snowshoeing. Some snowshoes—including mine—were not ideal for the mixed terrain of snow, ice, and bare ground, making progress slow and demanding. Recognizing this, our leader thoughtfully separated the slower movers from the main group and guided us along a shorter, hillier route. The trail included narrow forest paths and several small wooden bridges with newly installed handrails, which were a welcome help under the conditions.

Our leader made sure we had time to rest and recover after each difficult section, and the group supported one another with encouragement along the way. Despite the challenges, we enjoyed the beautiful forest scenery and the sense of teamwork. After a couple of hours, we returned to the chalet feeling tired, proud, and accomplished.

Kudos to Amanda one of our newest CFUW/Snowshoe member who fully participated in activities like a pro, she stayed with the faster, experienced group.

Following lunch, we had a chance to take another walk outside and meet at the bus for the return trip home at 3:15pm.

It was a memorable day filled with perseverance, camaraderie, and winter adventure.

Coming Try your hand at snowshoeing with guided tours at Crawford Lake