On the Trails
Where do you ski?
Five Winds has maintained approximately 200 kilometers of marked, ungroomed wilderness trails on Crown Land in the Gibson River are between Georgian Bay and Gravenhurst since 197x.
Do you always go to the same place?
Each week the ski organizers decide which parts of our trail system we will use that Sunday. They consider the weather forecast and snow and ice conditions and try to provide variety, week to week. The bus drops groups off in one or more locations and the groups leave from there in one or more directions. We hope each group travels more or less on their own – then it’s a thrill later in the day to encounter a group of friends on the trail!
How many kilometers do you ski in a day?
We don’t really focus on distance – we just ski steadily for about six hours with breaks for snacks and lunch. Faster skiers may try to cover as much trail as they can while slower groups cover less distance and may stop more often for snacks or to enjoy the scenery. We organize skiers of similar abilities and inclinations into groups who want to ski at the same pace so everyone gets what they want out of the day.
As well, the distance we can cover depends on the snow conditions. One week we may be breaking a sweat while breaking trail through fresh snow and the next we may be gliding over marshes and lakes.
How many people ski in a group?
We ski in groups of six to eight skiers of similar abilities and inclinations. The size of the group is a tradeoff between safety and manageability, small enough so the group moves along at a reasonable pace and everyone experiences the beautiful sense of solitude you find in the backcountry but large enough so that if we have an incident we can manage it.
Where do you eat lunch?
Around lunch time we start to look for a nice place to eat, somewhere in the sun and out of the wind where we can take off our skies and our packs and relax for a while. We don’t have cabins or shelters; we do have sunny forest glades to rest in and frozen waterfalls to gaze on.
Do you have a cabin or lodge to warm up in at lunchtime?
No, Five Winds doesn’t maintain any facilities but those who want can use the bus as a club house. If you want to take a break in the middle of the day or simply ski for a shorter day state that when you sign up for the weekly bus. Most weeks our slower group will be able to return to the bus for a rest and then those who wish may head out again.
Are there washroom facilities?
No, but there is lots of privacy in the great outdoors. There is a washroom on our luxury coach.
Can I ski a half day?
If you want that option, the organizers will arrange for the bus to be waiting for a ski group that will plan for an early return to the bus. If this would suit you, state that information when you make your bus reservation so the ski organizer can put you in the appropriate group.
What is a moon night?
On nights with a full moon we meet up for an evening of skiing. Check the schedule for these important dates.
What is a "cross-over"?
The “cross-over” is the much-anticipated day when we ski from the start of our trails in the west to the end of our trails in the east. If the organizers think the snow and weather conditions are right you will hear this option when you call to reserve on the bus. This is a long trip which is suitable only for fit and qualified skiers. You may choose this option (subject to the ski organizer's approval) or you can choose to ski a regular day.