You can always tell when Canadians start getting ready for winter. Their garages smell like gas & they start stockpiling birdseed like there’s going to be a shortage. Part of the preparation process involves getting ready for some winter hobbies. Here are the ten winter hobbies Canadians are already prepping for. What’s your favourite winter tradition?
Purchasing snowmobile permits
Most snowmobile trails don’t open until there’s enough snow to stick. But that doesn’t stop some eager beavers. Many Canadians get their Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) Trail Permits early, especially because the classic ones are usually cheaper when you buy them in the fall.
People doing big loop rides know that these trails will sell out rather quickly. Buying the permit is simply part of the pre-season routine.
Backcountry skiers booking avalanche skills training
People in the Rockies & Coast Mountains are already trying to get spots on the Avalanche Skills Training courses. It’s normal for these classes to fill up before the powder season begins.
The most serious skiers & boarders will get their places booked early so they can spend a weekend learning how to read snow layers and use beacons. They don’t want to be caught unprepared.
Winter camping and oTENTik reservations
Most Canadian campers simply can’t stand waiting during the summer. Some of them will purchase heated oTENTiks & cabins through Parks Canada as soon as they’re able to do so.
Spots at Banff & Riding Mountain disappear in days, even Fundy gets full. Many families plan their February weekends early. It’ll make sure they have their firewood list ready by the time it gets cold.
Birders enrolling in Project FeederWatch
The first clue that birders are getting excited for the winter is the giant bags of seed & fresh log feeders on their porches. Each fall, Birds Canada opens FeederWatch registration. Many people sign up for this program.
Doing it early means they’ll be able to count juncos & chickadees from their kitchen windows as soon as November arrives.
Ice fishers registering huts
Yes, even ice fishers have begun to get prepared. You’ll see them in their sheds, patching old holes in the huts & checking fishing zone maps. It’s quite important in places like Ontario and Manitoba.
The registration deadlines vary, so people need to get their paperwork completed before the ice thickens, and some will scout lakes using drones to see which will freeze first.
Polar Bear Dip spots secured
Only a certain kind of person would think that jumping into freezing water is fun. Those who do enjoy this will already have registered for Polar Bear Dips because spots for the event open early.
Some of the ones in Vancouver & Toronto fill up in hours. Many participants will plan their costumes and fundraisers weeks in advance, just to get ahead.
Backyard rink builders applying and buying kits
The end of summer signals the start of overnight temperatures dropping. Once they reach single digits, DIY rink builders will start getting ready. Toronto closes its natural-ice applications in October. Local volunteers need to receive approval before that date.
While this is happening, most hardware stores restock their rink kits because they know that the keen rink builders are already measuring their lawns.
Aurora chasers subscribing to alert services
People who chase the northern lights have to be in preparation mode all year. However, it’s during the fall when these preparations kick into high gear.
AuroraWatch & Space Weather Canada tell people when geomagnetic activity starts up, so aurora chasers begin to prepare their camera gear. Who wouldn’t want to spend a long, clear night outside?
Fat bikers lining up rentals and groomed trail access
Not all cyclists are willing to hibernate. In fact, some of them simply swap their skinny tires for fat ones once the snow falls, and they’ll book rentals at Fernie & Big White well in advance.
It’s not hard to see why they enjoy it. The resorts have special routes, and the wide tires practically float on the packed snow. It’s an experience truly like no other.
Curling league sign-ups
The majority of curling clubs have their rosters sorted already. Fall is the time for returning players to organize their sheets & time slots, or else they’ll be gone. A few clubs even have waiting lists for mixed or Friday-night leagues.
But there’s more to prepare than mere paperwork. People need to check their grippers & find their brooms, while also hoping they still fit last year’s team jacket.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
Like our content? Be sure to follow us on MSN.