“The reaction has been very positive. The numbers are similar to the first year. Everything has been really good there.”
The huts are available year round, although so far winter has been the biggest time. This is likely because there is more to do in the area during those months. Visitors can ski, snowshoe, hike, ride fat bikes, and skate at the provincial park. In the other months, there is still hiking and biking and people can visit the lakes for fishing, but some of the activities are a little farther from the huts.
“They are not ‘off the deck’,” said Guenther. “Things are not right at the huts like they are in winter. Plus there is the novelty of camping in the winter. A lot of people like to do that, and people can use their tents at the campgrounds in the summer.”
He added it does not hurt that fat biking and snowshoeing are a growing activities, adding a new group to the park usage.
Weekends are full at the cabins in the winter, with weekdays a little slower. Usage in other months is more sporadic. Guenther said everyone comes for something different.
“Some people are super active, go out on the trails a lot. Some just want to watch the birds. There is not consistent cell service out here, which is a selling point. People want to get off the grid.”
He added they have been fortunate with the coming of the snow recently. Turtle Mountain Provincial Park tends to get and keep snow better than other local areas, and the trails are kept in top shape, which is really helpful for outdoor adventurers.
The Guenthers’ are entering the third year of their three-year trial permit, and will have to meet with the Parks to discuss the future. Although fairly new to Turtle Mountain, private operators are common in provincial parks, and often work on a year-to-year permit. Their agreement would allow for a third hut in the vicinity. Guenther said they are considering it, adding it takes a lot of work to keep everything running, but with all of their kids entering school soon, it might be possible. Overall, he stated working with Parks, both locally and provincially, has been a great pleasure and they look forward to continuing.
“I think this has been what we envisioned. It is not crazy busy, but we are okay with where we are at. We have had a huge amount of return visitors, people making their second, third or even fourth visit. That’s great because they know what they are getting into.”
“We are a ways out from a major centre,” he added, “but people making the journey out are impressed with the park, and we want to be part of bringing people out.”
A major event in the Lake Adam area will be having its fourth run on Saturday, February 24. The Feisty Rooster ski loppet and fat bike race has become an annual event hosted by the Turtle Mountain Nordic Ski Club based in Boissevain. Guenther, one of the organizers, says it is essentially the only combination of cross-country ski and fat bike race in the province.
“We try to bring the two communities together and showcase the trail system at the park.”
Using the different trails in the area, Feisty Rooster sets races of different distances for both skiers and bikers, to accommodate different interests and skill levels. The club is currently working out those details now. Guenther said they would like to see the races run concurrently this year in order to have everything finish at the same time. Over the years, there have been a few changes, including a costume class for the youngest ages. He said they have been attracting around 80 competitors each year, which is good for a ski event far from an urban area. They draw from as far away as Winnipeg, which is a big trip for them.
As well as participants, they also need help from the weather.
“We want the snow, but we don’t want it too cold,” Guenther explained. “Last year, it was pretty cold, but we ran it and it was okay. We have a good base of snow, so it should be fine.”
Turtle Mountain Nordic has a busy winter. In conjunction with Boissevain School, they run a weekly – depending on conditions – program taking students out to ski. Guenther said it is pretty unique, as he does not know of any other clubs that do this. They are also planning a learn-to-ski day, to introduce new people to the sport. They last held it a couple of years ago, and had a good response. This year, they want to add snowshoeing. The club likes to highlight the equipment for rent at the Boissevain Parks and Recreation office. Hopes are there are around two more months of the ski season.
Like their Adventure Huts, Guenther feels Feisty Rooster helps bring people to the community, which has a spin off effect on the local economy. As well, both introduce people to outdoor sports and the Turtle Mountain Provincial Park.
“We like bringing together the different communities and not just the ski and fat bike communities. If we can bring people out to the park, and give them a taste, maybe we can bring them out for other ski events.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff