February 2012
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Go Snow-cial!
The 1st Ontario Snow-cial Ride took place Tuesday, Feb. 21 and Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Muskoka’s premier JW Marriott Rosseau Resort – and I guess Mother Nature was afraid to get bad press, because it snowed most of the time! Or maybe she rented it from Muskoka Sports & Recreation. We rode local MSR trails on Tuesday and then sampled Almaguin trails Wednesday. It snowed all day!
The...
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My Hot Tub Interview! →
During my recent tour of Eastern Ontario, I was interviewed in the hot tub by local press!
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Riding Shotgun
I remember the day I almost hit a groomer. I‘d come around a blind corner and there it was, looming over me, filling the trail. Wide-eyed, we both hit the binders, and my sled came to an abrupt stop as the skis kissed the groomer’s blade. I looked up into the cab, feeling small and vulnerable before that machine’s great bulk.
Now here I was again, being dwarfed by a piece of grooming equipment....
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My Magic Tool
If I had to choose only one magic tool to carry while snowmobiling, it would be duct tape. Duct tape can get you through many emergencies and doesn’t require any other tools. You can be all thumbs, and still be an expert duct taper. It’s tough to inadvertently injure yourself using duct tape. And using today’s vibrantly coloured duct tape, I don’t need to be dreary and can match my sled too. If...
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Ride Renfrew in the Ottawa Valley
If you’re looking for a great Ontario ride, where snow conditions are good and trails are A-1, head for the Ottawa Valley and stay at the Best Western Renfrew! The hotel is totally trail accessible from TOP A and has plenty of parking for trucks and trailers. Only 4 hours from the GTA!
January 2012
11 posts
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3,000 Kilometres and Counting!
Did you know that the same folks who forecast the economy also predict the weather? No wonder we can’t count on anything…
To date, Old Man Winter hasn’t cooperated in the Great Lakes region of North America. Regardless, I’ve managed to find some great trail riding and have racked up just over 3,000 kilometres in place like Saguenay–Lac-St-Jean, The Northern Corridor,...
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Tours At A Glance!
To date, I’ve posted these tour articles on my site (list starts with most recent posts), so enjoy!
Ontario (Ride Around Superior)
Labrador (East & West) - 2 articles
Quebec (Monts Valins Snapshot)
Ontario (Sudbury area)
Manitoba (East, West and Winnipeg) - 3 articles
Ontario (RAP Tour) - 3 articles
Quebec (Gaspèsie) - 3 articles
British Columbia (Valemount) - 2 articles
Quebec...
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High Tech Sledding
Check out my new article on High Tech Sledding in Ontario!
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WatchCheck out my svelte bod and cool moves in this 1996 clip from Snowmobiler Television. What a lark!
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Pathfinding
by Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler
While there can be no doubt that trail riding has increased the popularity of snowmobiling, one potential downside is that it lulls us into a false sense of security in the wilderness. Yes, all trails lead somewhere eventually, but you could still be miles away from anywhere or even headed the wrong...
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Go To The Snow!
Hey snowmobilers, so maybe this winter hasn’t started so great close to home. But that doesn’t mean there’s no snow or great trail riding to be had – all you have to do is travel a bit!
So far, I’ve snowmobiled over 1,750 klicks in both Ontario and Quebec, and know for a fact that there are primo conditions in Northeastern Ontario (especially the Northern Corridor!), and...
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2012 Monts Valin Tour Snapshot: Where We Stayed
Just completed a 1,200 km Ski-Doo tour of the Monts Valin area of Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec on primo trails with lots of snow. This is a destination you definitely want to visit soon! Watch for the full tour article in a fall 2012 issue of Snow Goer Canada Magazine. Pictured above, Auberge Carcajou, located right on trail 328 near Saint-David-de-Falardeau, where we stayed for 3 nights...
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December 2011
7 posts
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Fractured French
by Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler
Many snowmobilers ask me what language challenges to anticipate while touring Canada’s numerous Francophone regions. Suddenly being immersed in an unfamiliar tongue may be a little uncomfortable at first. But the hospitality, charm and desire to help that characterize the Québecois, Acadian and other Francophone communities soon put one at ease....
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Where’s the Medivac?
by Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler
After recent first aid training, I told my wife we were screwed. The only confidence I gained for handling snowmobiling injuries was the certainty that I’d do more harm than good…
Every first aid procedure at the course started with the words, “Call 911 and then…” Even if I had cell service, how am I supposed to give directions? As if the emergency...
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Apples and Oranges
By Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler
Mountain sledders and trail riders have much in common: love of snowmobiles, snow, adventure, scenery, camaraderie and fun. Almost everything else is different. Mountain sleds have high handlebars with grab straps for easier manoeuvring while standing. They are usually lighter weight, differently geared and boast wider skis, narrower stances, and...
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Clues for Knowing You’ve Arrived Where You’re At
by Craig Nicholson, The Intrepid Snowmobiler
When you enter a town by road, a welcoming sign usually says something like: “Smith Town Population: 215”, so you know not to blink. Similar postings are rarely found on snowmobile trails. There could be signs for miles indicating what destination lies ahead, but how do I know for certain that I’ve actually arrived?
Many’s the time I’ve...
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Top 10 Great Gifts for Sledders
Check out my top ten picks for great XMAS gifts for your favourite snowmobiler:
10. TekVest - Comfortable and strong upper body protection, plus extra warmth for safer riding.
9. SPOT Connect - Connect your smart phone to a global satellite network to send messages, track progress and request help even with no cell service.
8. CYT Snow Gear Saddlebags - Roomy, durable, custom fit for OEM sleds...
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Over 100 radio stations in Ontario, Alberta,...
November 2011
7 posts
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Peterborough Show Kicks off Winter!
Anyone who fondly remembers the old Markham Snowmobile Show would have loved the 14th Annual Kawartha Sledarama Snowmobile Show today at the Peterborough, Ontario fairgrounds. Without any pretensions or pressure, this down-home style show showcases the grassroots of snowmobiling, from local clubs to a large, outdoor flea market with classic sleds, parts and accessories. This year’s one-day retail...
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Stud Facts: Woody's are Tops!
Last winter, a friend was riding a snow covered, tertiary road, when his sled suddenly flipped and rolled on ice. All of us believed that if his sled had been studded, the incident would not have occurred. So what about studs?
If you are doing a lot of trail riding or lake running, studs are a valuable safety addition to your sled. For my thousands of kilometres of trail riding each winter, I...
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October 2011
15 posts
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Contact Me
The best way to reach me is by email at: intrepid1@craign.ca
I’ll do my best to get back to you soon!
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Reviews: Lock Up Your Vehicle
Check out my Tested on Tour review of the best steering wheel lock, wheel lock, window etching system and door lock protectors to keep your tow vehicle from being stolen when you leave it parked while away snowmobiling. As seen in a 2010 issue of Snow Goer Canada magazine.
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Reviews: Dermal Therapy & Ski-Doo Cover
Check out my Tested on Tour reviews of Dermal Therapy hand lotion and travel covers for Ski-Doo sleds as it appeared in a 2010 issue of Snow Goer Canada magazine.
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Reviews: Triton Trailer & Ski-Doo Accessories
Check out my Tested on Tour reviews of a 2-bed Triton Trailer and various accessories for a Ski-Doo snowmobile as it appeared in a 2010 issue of Snow Goer Canada magazine.
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Ontario Sledding Season Kicks Off
Ontario’s snow may be a couple of months away yet, but winter was in the air for the thousands of snowmobilers who attended the Toronto International Snowmobile Show last weekend in Toronto, Canada. Judging from the crowded parking lots, all-day line ups to get in, enthusiasm on the show floor, and the huge number of people carting their purchases out the door, snowmobiling is alive and...
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Welcome to My New Site!
If you are visiting my new site for the 1st time, please understand that it just went live this week and is not fully populated yet.
Over this fall, I will be adding many of my Snow Goer Canada touring articles, reviews and columns, so please bookmark me and come back to visit often.
I will also be blogging frequently with news and updates about snowmobiling and my touring plans for the upcoming...
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Meet Craig Nicholson
Craig’s take on being intrepid: having the determination and flexibility to continue despite unexpected challenges.
Craig Nicholson is a freelance journalist, writer and communications consultant who specializes in motorized recreational activities, including snowmobiling. As an avid snowmobiler, he logs up to 15,000 kilometres (10,000 miles) on the snow each winter and has snowmobiled in...
September 2011
6 posts
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Planning Your Ontario, Canada Tour →
Riders looking to visit Ontario, Canada for a snowmobile tour should read this article I wrote for snowmobile.com.
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Snowmobile to Moosonee, Ontario →
Looking for a real wilderness adventure? This article I wrote for snowmobile.com tells about the remote back country ride from Cochrane, Ontario, Canada, to Moosonee on James Bay.