Winter in Northern Ontario isn’t something I’ve just learned to endure – it’s a season I’ve come to love. When the snow blankets the ground and the lakes freeze over, life here doesn’t slow down. Instead, it becomes more vibrant, peaceful, and purposeful.
Winter has shaped my childhood, family experiences, and how I stay connected to nature throughout the year. It’s a time filled with activity, traditions, and moments that linger long after spring arrives.
Snowmobiling: Exploring and Creating Memories
To me, snowmobiling feels like pure freedom. There’s something magical about gliding across frozen lakes and winding through forest trails, discovering parts of Northern Ontario that only winter makes accessible. It’s fast-paced and social – deeply rooted in our northern culture – bringing communities together, supporting local businesses, and encouraging outdoor fun even on the coldest days.
Snowshoeing: A Calm Connection With Nature
Snowshoeing is one of the easiest ways to enjoy winter while often being very meaningful. There’s no noise or hurry – just the crunch of snow beneath your feet and your breath in the chilly air. It’s grounding. It’s simple. And it reminds us that winter doesn’t have to be extreme to be impactful.
Cross-Country Skiing: Special Times With My Mom
Cross-country skiing was a favorite pastime for both my mom and me. It’s one of those activities that feels like part of who you are. The steady rhythm, the smooth movement across snow-covered trails, gentle conversations – or sometimes just enjoying silence together. It wasn’t about speed or distance; it was about spending time outdoors as a pair. Those are the winter memories that last forever.
Backyard Rinks: Our Winter Oasis
Some of my best winter memories were made right in our backyard. When my boys were young, I’d flood our yard so they could skate whenever they felt like it. No schedules or pressure – just lights on at night, skates laced up tight, and laughter filling the chilly air. Winter felt enchanting then; those backyard rinks transformed cold evenings into cherished moments.
Ice Fishing: Taking Time to Reflect
I find ice fishing encourages you to slow down and enjoy life a bit more leisurely. It involves early mornings with frostbitten fingers sharing meals while chatting inside a hut as winds howl outside. In Northern Ontario, it’s not just about catching fish; it’s about tradition, connection with others, and finding peace during this long season.
Winter Hiking: A New Look at Our North
Trekking through winter trails gives you an entirely fresh view of nature around us. The paths feel quieter; forests seem untouched; every sound is amplified by stillness. With proper gear on hand, hiking during this season becomes an empowering way to stay fit mentally and physically while admiring how stunning our North looks under a blanket of snow.
The Importance of Winter Here
In Northern Ontario, winter isn’t brief – it shapes who we are as people. Staying active during these chilly months keeps us moving physically while also promoting mental wellness along with community bonds that hold us together tightly during these times when we need each other most.
Winter teaches resilience alongside creativity while helping us appreciate all aspects of nature year-round. This season isn’t something we should rush past either.
It asks for patience from us all-bundling up warmly before stepping outside-and embracing everything cold weather brings our way! A Comfort Food Classic from Northern Ontario: Camp Bannock After spending an entire day outdoors in wintertime’s embrace comfort food shouldn’t be complicated-it simply needs warmth filling tummies accompanied by good company! Bannock has always been essential within northern communities because it’s straightforward yet versatile enough whether returning home from adventures out on trails or skating rink! This easy bannock recipe is perfect anytime-best enjoyed hot topped off with butter jam alongside hearty meals post-outdoor activities:Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar (optional)
2 tbsp oil or melted butter
3/4 cup water or milk
Instructions:
In bowl mix flour baking powder salt & sugar.
Stir together adding oil/melted butter slowly until soft dough forms.
Shape dough into flat round roughly 1 inch thick.
Cook in greased pan over medium heat OR bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes flipping once if frying pan-cooked option chosen!
Serve warm!
This food embodies what living here means-a practical comforting choice best savored after experiencing outdoor joys firsthand!
The essence behind “winter” resonates deeply with showing up fully-dressing appropriately against chilly conditions stepping outside regardless making full use opportunities presented each moment spent out there regardless!
At Just Hunt we strive towards honoring traditions encouraging participation celebrating lifestyles bonding folks whether through seasonal activities performed collaboratively fostering community spirit found among all those engaged positively within realms nature provides generously year-round togetherness shared amongst everyone involved alike everywhere across local areas too!
Amanda Lynn Mayhew is a passionate outdoor enthusiast advocate for conservation talented filmmaker known for inspiring others through her adventures environmental efforts native Manitouwadge combines love nature storytelling promote recreation wildlife preservation.View all posts
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Cross-Country Skiing: Special Times With My Mom
Cross-country skiing was a favorite pastime for both my mom and me. It’s one of those activities that feels like part of who you are. The steady rhythm, the smooth movement across snow-covered trails, gentle conversations – or sometimes just enjoying silence together. It wasn’t about speed or distance; it was about spending time outdoors as a pair. Those are the winter memories that last forever.
Backyard Rinks: Our Winter Oasis
Some of my best winter memories were made right in our backyard. When my boys were young, I’d flood our yard so they could skate whenever they felt like it. No schedules or pressure – just lights on at night, skates laced up tight, and laughter filling the chilly air. Winter felt enchanting then; those backyard rinks transformed cold evenings into cherished moments.
Ice Fishing: Taking Time to Reflect
I find ice fishing encourages you to slow down and enjoy life a bit more leisurely. It involves early mornings with frostbitten fingers sharing meals while chatting inside a hut as winds howl outside. In Northern Ontario, it’s not just about catching fish; it’s about tradition, connection with others, and finding peace during this long season.
Winter Hiking: A New Look at Our North
Trekking through winter trails gives you an entirely fresh view of nature around us. The paths feel quieter; forests seem untouched; every sound is amplified by stillness. With proper gear on hand, hiking during this season becomes an empowering way to stay fit mentally and physically while admiring how stunning our North looks under a blanket of snow.
The Importance of Winter Here
In Northern Ontario, winter isn’t brief – it shapes who we are as people. Staying active during these chilly months keeps us moving physically while also promoting mental wellness along with community bonds that hold us together tightly during these times when we need each other most.Winter teaches resilience alongside creativity while helping us appreciate all aspects of nature year-round. This season isn’t something we should rush past either.
It asks for patience from us all-bundling up warmly before stepping outside-and embracing everything cold weather brings our way! A Comfort Food Classic from Northern Ontario: Camp Bannock After spending an entire day outdoors in wintertime’s embrace comfort food shouldn’t be complicated-it simply needs warmth filling tummies accompanied by good company! Bannock has always been essential within northern communities because it’s straightforward yet versatile enough whether returning home from adventures out on trails or skating rink! This easy bannock recipe is perfect anytime-best enjoyed hot topped off with butter jam alongside hearty meals post-outdoor activities:Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp sugar (optional)
2 tbsp oil or melted butter
3/4 cup water or milk
Instructions:
In bowl mix flour baking powder salt & sugar.
Stir together adding oil/melted butter slowly until soft dough forms.
Shape dough into flat round roughly 1 inch thick.
Cook in greased pan over medium heat OR bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes flipping once if frying pan-cooked option chosen!
Serve warm!
This food embodies what living here means-a practical comforting choice best savored after experiencing outdoor joys firsthand!
The essence behind “winter” resonates deeply with showing up fully-dressing appropriately against chilly conditions stepping outside regardless making full use opportunities presented each moment spent out there regardless!
At Just Hunt we strive towards honoring traditions encouraging participation celebrating lifestyles bonding folks whether through seasonal activities performed collaboratively fostering community spirit found among all those engaged positively within realms nature provides generously year-round togetherness shared amongst everyone involved alike everywhere across local areas too!
Amanda Lynn Mayhew is a passionate outdoor enthusiast advocate for conservation talented filmmaker known for inspiring others through her adventures environmental efforts native Manitouwadge combines love nature storytelling promote recreation wildlife preservation.View all postsSource link
