Deerhurst Press Release

AT DEERHURST RESORT WINTER SPORTS STRETCH FAR BEYOND THE SLOPEs

Find fun and games sledding, on ice, even sliding down the golf course

HUNTSVILLE, ON, May, 2006 – Not so long ago a vacation in the snow generally meant one thing: you skied or perhaps boarded, all day, every day.  Time off the slopes meant a swim in the heated pool, a trip to the spa, maybe hot chocolate and a few spins around a small ice rink.  While Deerhurst Resort is only a stone’s throw from the 12 runs of Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Club, its own 800 acres are filled with a mini Olympics of other winter sports.

Here are three of the coolest favourites.  Now all you have to do is figure out when to squeeze in that massage.

GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNING
In recent years, Deerhurst’s location right on the Trans Ontario Provincial (TOP) trail system has made it something of a Mecca for snowmobiling enthusiasts, complete with overnight sled parking, maps, permits and premium grade fuel.  What’s the attraction behind one of North America’s fastest growing outdoor pastimes, a sport that boasts over 10 million regular participants, 140,000 groomed trails and hundreds of clubs?

Peter Jakobs, who operates Haliburton Sled Rentals at Deerhurst Resort, believes that snowmobiling is popular because it’s a great group or couple activity that brings riders closer to nature.  “Using this trail you could travel right from Deerhurst to Quebec or the Manitoba border, if you wanted,” he says. “Nothing else will give you that kind of freedom and access to the scenic outdoors in winter.”

"We get a lot of first-timers too," confirms Deerhurst’s Director of Sports & Leisure Mark O’Dell. "Some people are intimidated by snowmobiles because they’re pretty powerful.  A common question is, 'How do I steer it?' Actually, modern snowmobiles are very easy to control. It just takes a little warming up and you’re off."

That brings up another potential fear factor.  "Please don’t worry about the cold," Jakobs reassures. Riders are outfitted with special suits and a helmet with a face shield.  The sleek Yamaha sleds themselves come fully equipped with a large, deflector-lipped windshield and handwarmers built into the steering handles.  

READY TO RIDE
Deerhurst offers both 90-minute guided tours (rates run about $200 per machine for one or two riders plus $10 each for gear) and straightforward rentals so you can explore Muskoka’s 2,000 kilometres of groomed trails at your own speed.  (Operators must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license).  Enthusiasts can plan a snowmobiling break around the resort’s Fuel It Up package, which wraps up bed, breakfast and $20 of sled gas.  Those who prefer to take things a bit more slowly can opt for horse drawn sleigh and cutter rides, dog-sledding or ski-joring, all offered on resort grounds.

NEED FOR SPEED
Claims vary, but Quebec’s Joseph-Armand Bombardier, is widely credited with inventing the snowmobile. In 1922, when Bombardier was only 15, he took an old Ford engine, mounted it on four wooden sled runners and added a large propeller in the back. By 1970, more than 60 companies had produced well over 1 million varieties of snowmobiles. Today, Yamaha, Bombardier and just two other companies build all the snowmobiles in North America. 

ROUND AND ROUND WE GO
Come winter, the manicured hush of Deerhurst Lakeside, one of two resort golf courses, returns to its rugged roots.  The zany idea to ride large, custom inner tubes down one of its hills started 30 years ago, gaining momentum with every snowfall.

“We’ve all loved riding toboggans, snow saucers and magic carpets since we were kids,” recalls Director of Sports & Leisure Mark O’Dell.  “This is faster, smoother and definitely wins a tube run award for best landscaping.”  

There is no lift, but the walk up is anticipation for the rush of laughter going back down.  For those who can’t handle the hike or have kids who get hooked on the tubing thrill, the six, lift-equipped tube runs of Rock Ridge Recreation Park are only 10-minutes away, straight off Huntsville’s Main Street and open until well after dark.

WARM UPS
Deerhurst also has cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  To escape the cold there are two indoor pools, a sauna and an Aveda spa with a full menu of body wraps and other treatments.

ON FROZEN PONDS
In January 2007, Deerhurst Resort will again play host to the Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships, one of a growing string of traditional outdoor tournaments being played from New Brunswick to Wisconsin.

The 130 international teams who hit 24 rinks that Deerhurst Resort builds right out front on Sunset Bay are drawn by the throwback charm of low-tech, 4-on-4 hockey under a big blue sky. Play has few rules, no goalies and nets only 10-inches high.

Minus the hype of the professional leagues, pond hockey is not only a celebration of pure sport but also a chance for players to relive those childhood memories of playing with their friends on frozen backyard ponds after school.   After competitive teams like the Rink Rake Grey Beards and the Concordia Rinkles pack up their skates, Deerhurst will maintain at least six of the rinks throughout the rest of winter.

Future plans include promoting this clearly Canadian venue for men’s sporting weekends and regular pick-up games, perhaps even transforming one of the ponds into a curling rink.

Deerhurst Resort is home to one of Muskoka’s earliest historic lodges, superstar Shania Twain’s recording discovery and the region’s first modern, 36-hole golf course development.  Located on Peninsula Lake just east of the idyllic town of Huntsville, the resort is only 30-minutes from Algonquin Provincial Park and about two hours and two turns north of Toronto.  Discover more or book your next getaway at www.deerhurstresort.com or 1-800-461-4393.           

If you would like to obtain more information or reproduction quality photographs, please contact:

Anne White
Director Public Relations
T 416.566.9297
F 416.883.8975
awhite@deerhurstresort.com

 

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