Wolf Den bloggers

News flash! Our friends Robin and Ben over at the Wolf Den Bunkhouse have joined the blogosphere. The Wolf Den is a unique and very affordable option for accommodation on the west side of Algonquin Park, withing walking distance of our Oxtongue Lake store.

March Break: what to do?

The answer is easy: visit Algonquin Park for some spring skiing and snowshoeing!

Even with the late start to winter, we've got excellent snow coverage and the big snow expected tonight should ensure that we'll be enjoying snowsports well into March and possibly even April.

Get out the snorkel!
An AO employee's spouse enjoys some deep powder skiing on the Fen Lake cross-country trail last weekend (name withheld to protect the innocent). Thankfully, no injuries ensued.
Look at the great snow conditions!

While you're up here, take a little time to think about spring paddling by joining Algonquin Outfitters at the Algonquin Theatre for the Reel Paddling Film Festival. Produced by our friends at Rapid Media, the "2nd annual Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour brings the world’s best paddling films to paddlers across North America and around the world. The festival has been created to inspire more people to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push physical and emotional extremes, embrace the lifestyle and appreciate the heritage of the places we travel." For a list of the films travelling with this year's tour (unfortunately we won't have time to show all of them), click here.

Need a place to stay? Our friends Robin and Ben at the Wolf Den Bunkhouse are offering a March Break special:

Stay at the Wolf Den on your March Break and receive a 10% Discount!

Things to do:

• Snowshoeing, cross country skiing, hiking and the world class Visitor Centre in Algonquin Park (7 min drive to park gate and ski trails)
• Soak up the grandeur of Ragged Falls (15 min walk)
• Hike through mixed forests and past spectacular lookouts on the Beetle Lake Trail (starts right across the road )
• Relax by the fire in our lounge or warm up in the Cedar Log Sauna
• Downhill skiing at Hidden Valley
• Outdoor skating in nearby Dwight

Contact Robin or Ben today at 1-866-271-9336 (1-705-635-9336) or via email

Offer Valid From the Night of Sunday March 11th to the Night of Thursday March 15th.

Please note that the Wolf Den is a "fume-free" place to stay.

Dogs of all sizes love winter! You should too...

Winter Assembly schedule

Celebrate winter with
Algonquin Outfitters!

The 13th Annual Winter Assembly will get you excited about winter! Join us for an activity-packed day with something for everyone. All events take place at Algonquin Outfitters in Oxtongue Lake, February 17, 2007. Rental and demo equipment is available at no charge if participating in the events and lessons. Please sign out equipment in the store before the lesson starts. Call 1-800-469-4948 (705-635-2243) for more information.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Ongoing Events: 10am—4pm

• Equipment demonstrations: test-drive high-tech snowshoes & cross-country skis - thanks to Tubbs Snowshoes, Atlas Snowshoes, Madshus Skis, Salomon Skis

• Winter campfire: warm up around the campfire!

• Cross Country Tips: meet Glenn Buckmaster at the ski oval for informal lessons. See specific lessons at 11, 1 and 2:30 pm. Please sign out rental equipment inside (no charge if you are taking a lesson). Please get ski equipment before the lesson starts.

• Ice climbing: join Summit College staff & students and learn about this popular winter sport. Ongoing activity - follow the signs on the lake and trail to the climbing site.

• Quinzee Building: take snowfort-building to the next level. By the lake (conditions permitting).

• Winter Campsite:Summit College staff and students will be setting up a winter campsite - drop by and chat about winter camping!. By the lake (conditions permitting).

• Winter Disc Golf: if you can toss a Frisbee®, you can play Disc Golf - try it out on the lake!

• Don’t forget to sign up for door prizes inside! Door prize draws at 12:15, 4:30 - you must be present to win!

Morning events

• 10 am til 12:30: Dogsledding - with Winterdance Dogsled Tours. Meet and pay at the dog truck - follow the sound of barking!

• 10 am til finished, Quinzee building: join Summit College students and build a traditional snow house.By paddle hut.

• 11–12, Cross-country ski lesson - novice classic: instructor: Glenn Buckmaster. Get skis inside ahead of time, meet at ski oval.

BBQ lunch: 12-2 - Opens at noon. Buy food tickets inside please! Thanks to Chef Chuck!

Afternoon events

• 12:15, Door prize draw: At the front counter - you must be there to win!

• 1-2, Waxing 101 for cross-country skiers: instructor, Glenn Buckmaster. Upstairs in the store. Waxing is easy - learn the basics!

• 2-3, Snowshoe 101: Meet at demo area on the lake. Learn about and try new-fangled snowshoes! Short hike included.

• 2:30 - 3:30, Cross-country ski tour: instructor: Glenn Buckmaster. Meet on the oval. A roving lesson on the groomed Blue Spruce trails.

• 3:45, Fun snowshoe race: Just one lap around the oval! Prizes for adults and kids! Meet at the snowshoe demo area.

• 4:30, Door prize draw, snowshoe race prizes: at the front counter - you must be there to win!

Special Sunday event: 9:30am - 12pm, Sunday, Feb. 18

• 13th Annual Snowshoe trek to Ragged Falls: trek leader, Gordon Baker. An adventurous annual tradition! Free snowshoes for use by participants, or bring your own. Meet at the AO store front counter by 9:30. Car pooling required. Dogs that play well with others are welcome if well-behaved and on a leash.

Summer jobs at Algonquin Outfitters

Algonquin Outfitters is now accepting resumes for the following seasonal positions:

• Retail sales associates
• Rental shop and outfitting staff
  
• Maintenance staff

Spring, summer and fall positions are available at our Huntsville, Oxtongue Lake, Opeongo and Bracebridge locations. We are seeking people who love the outdoors and enjoy sharing their knowledge of the outdoors with others.

Accomodation is available at our Oxtongue Lake and Opeongo locations.

Our staff enjoy working with a diverse range of people; spending time in Algonquin Park and other beautiful areas; paddling, hiking, biking, travelling, camping and other outdoor activities.

If you are interested in joining the Algonquin Outfitters team, please email your resume to Beth at our Oxtongue Lake store.

We thank all who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Some scenes of life at AO:

Rental staff at Oxtongue Lake getting ready for a canoe delivery

One of our outfitters packs a group trip

Opeongo water taxi driver and customers before boarding the boat

The Winter Assembly returns February 17

Winter fun in the great outdoors is the theme of the 13th Annual Winter Assembly, hosted by Algonquin Outfitters, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007. This free, family-oriented, event takes place at the Oxtongue Lake location, just west of Algonquin Park, on Hwy. 60, about 30 km east of Huntsville. The Winter Assembly is designed to introduce people to self-propelled (or at least non-motorized) winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skate skiing, kick-sledding, winter camping, ice-climbing and dog sledding, as well as provide a host of opportunities to have fun in the snow.

This year’s event will pack a host of activities into a single day. You could drive a dog team, learn how to build a snow shelter, try skate skiing, go on a snowshoe hike, learn about winter camping, make a snow house, enter a snowshoe race (and hopefully finish!), play snow games, watch ice climbers in action and more! Representatives from a variety of manufacturers will be on hand to talk about the latest in cross-country ski equipment, ski waxing techniques, snowshoes, winter camping gear and demonstrate new winter products. Lunch is always a highlight of any winter activity and barbeque fare, like hamburgers and sausages, will be available.

Equipment for all activities will be provided free of charge for Winter Assembly participants and a heap of door prizes will be given away throughout the event.

For more information, please call Algonquin Outfitters, 1-800-469-4948 (705-635-2243).

Please note that there is a charge for dog sled rides and a family rate is available.

The final schedule for the 13th annual Winter Assembly is not yet cast in stone, but in the meantime, here is a general overview of the day:

Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007:

9 am: Algonquin Outfitters opens

10 - 1 pm: dog sled rides. Please sign up to make sure you get a turn!

10 -12: morning program (x-c ski lesson, ski and snowshoes demos, snowshoe hike, quinzee building, dog sled rides, etc.)

12 - 2: lunch

1 - 5: afternoon program (skate ski lessons, ski and snowshoe demos, ice climbing demos, wax clinic, etc.)

Sunday, Feb. 19:

10 - noon: 13th annual Ragged Falls Snowshoe Adventure Hike

Advance registration is not required - simply show up! All events take place in the immediate area of our Oxtongue Lake store (except the Ragged Falls hike - car pooling req'd).

Dog sled rides are provided by Winterdance Dog Sled Tours.