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| 2005.Mar.09 |
Why Ontario is quickly becoming a world class
winter kiting destination |
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This talks about
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How long is the season?
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Not quite Europe
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Huge terrain!
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Access to the lake
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For about 3-4 months every winter, the fresh water
lakes around Ontario consistently freeze. This
usually happens in parallel with the ski resorts
being open. If it's cold enough to make snow then
it's cold enough for the lakes to freeze. The wind
riding season usually starts mid to late December,
sometimes even as early as late November and runs
until the beginning of April. |
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If you've every been to Europe, you've probably
found that the climate between parts of Canada are
very similar. True during summer months, but there
is a very fine line during the winter months. When
you think of going to Europe to ski in the winter,
remember that you're going up in altitude where it's
colder. But down away from the alpine regions in the
larger cities, the temperature is much warmer. The
lakes don't necessarily freeze like they do around
Ontario. A few degrees makes all the difference in
comparison to what Ontario has to offer during the
winter! |
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Lake Simcoe is just north of Toronto, about one hour
by car. With prevailing westerly winds, the east
shore of Cook's Bay, and the south shore of Lake
Simcoe provide some of the largest wind riding
terrain around. If you measure the sailable terrain
of Lake Simcoe, it's about 20 times larger than the
skiable terrain in Whistler, British Columbia. As
mother nature is constantly grooming the lake with
wind and precipitation, the surface varies from
black ice to powder snow. The beginning of the
season starts with black hard ice usually only
sailing with sharp ski edges or bladed crafts. The
latter half of the season is usually snow packed
excellent for kite snowboarding. A sharp and/or
properly waxed pair of skis can usually ride all the
terrain except when the snow gets two deep unless
you have a pair of powder or twin tip powder skis
that float easier. |
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The access to the lake is via parks and boat
launches (Walter
Drive,
Parkwoods Avenue) at the beginning of the
season. In mid to late January the ice usually
freezes so thick that you drive out to your launch
spot (Glenwoods
Avenue has become the most popular). Statistics
report that the lake is actually busier in the
winter than it is in the summer. The combination of
ice fishermen, sled riders (skidoo/snow mobile),
motor cyclists, cross-country skiers, ice skaters,
4x4s, kiters and even pedestrians sometimes walking
their pets really turn the lake into a winter
playground for all ages to enjoy. |
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The colder dense winter winds provide steady, okay
sometimes gusty, riding conditions almost every day
when compared to what is sailable during the summer.
This means you can literally go up to the lake when
ever you can to ride. |
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The short drive from the city, the easy access, the
reliable wind conditions, huge changing terrain, and
the proximity to Toronto are putting Lake Simcoe on
the map for one of the best winter wind riding
locations in the world. If you plan to vacation
here, you can enjoy the city highlights in Toronto
when you're not sailing. |
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Grant Fitz |
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