20°c A few clouds
18°c Cloudy periods
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Loss of cross-country ski trails sends message -- be sedentary
Manitoba's winter is a great season and it's always a treat to spend a few days in Riding Mountain National Park. It's so peaceful and magical to be outdoors cross-country skiing on bright and sunny arctic days, and it's so pleasant to relax tired muscles in the warm water of the Solstice Spa at Elkhorn Resort.
Unfortunately, this year our national park created for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people of Canada has lost its raison d'etre by cutting services and stopping the grooming of cross-country ski trails.
This is a cost saving measure, but at the same time, cars are welcome in the ghost town of Wasagaming where streets are cleared of snow at great expense.
Why was such a decision made?
Winter is part of our Canadian culture and cross-country skiers are people of Canada. Cutting access to the park is like closing movie theaters to save cleaning costs; it does not make any sense. Of course, it will save a few dollars in the park budget, but the global cost to the country is far reaching.
Canada, through its national parks, is promoting a sedentary winter. Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public health concern and is responsible for huge health care expenses, but the message from our government is loud and clear: we love cars and don't mind the expense of clearing streets that go nowhere, but outdoor exercise is not good. Winter should be enjoyed from the comfort of a couch in front of a TV or somewhere else like Florida, but certainly not in our national parks.
This decision will encourage cross-country skiers to go to our neighbours in the United States with their many groomed trails, great accommodations and, of course, shopping malls on the way. The loss to the Canadian economy is much more than a few dimes saved by not grooming trails -- it is also threatening the survival of local hotels by deterring visits by precious winter customers.
The federal government had no problem encouraging snowmobile associations in Quebec by giving them a grant of $940,000 in 2012, supposedly to boost the province as a prime winter destination.
Snowmobiling is not the only winter activity to promote and Manitoba is also a winter destination with great potential. It has the longest skating path in the world, a restaurant on the river, multiple unique winter festivals and diverse and challenging cross-country ski trails in our provincial and national parks. Tourists, especially Europeans, attracted by our wilderness and exotic winters, are ready to come, but not if we stop services.
Whoever made the decision to cut services in our national parks should stand by their beliefs by doing two things: Cut the cost of the yearly pass in half. Why pay for a full year when services are only available half the year? And change the sign at the entrance of the park to the following: Welcome to our Part-Time' National Park.
We Don't Like Winter and Cross-Country Skiers.
Winnipegger Philippe Erhard, originally from France, is a physician, author and avid cross-country skier.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 30, 2013 A11
More Analysis
- Back to Top
- Return to Analysis
More Analysis
(1 of 34 articles for this week)
Electronic footprints in a Google age
06/18/2013 2:30 PM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Analysis
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Electronic footprints in a Google age
- Pimachiowin Aki is exceptional heritage
- Iran’s president-elect a glimmer of hope
- Beauty and the (mortgage) Beast
- Firm sues governments over intellectual property
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Elijah Harper changed my world
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- That will be $90,000 down, please
- Too rural, too white, too male
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Beauty and the (mortgage) Beast
- Was east side misled by NDP government?
- Expense scandal dogs Nova Scotia's fading NDP government
- Appalling rates of public-sector absenteeism must be addressed
- UNESCO's concerns unrelated to Bipole III
- The view of Bipole III from Hart Mountain
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Key of Bart: Video Killed The Mayor Who Hates The Toronto Star
- Too rural, too white, too male
- A sorry fact -- Katz finds it hard to apologize
- Ford puts Toronto on the map at last
- Manitoba Hydro's halcyon days are gone
- The key of Bart
- Ford can't resign as mayor soon enough
- Obama gets ‘revenge’ with Rice appointment
- Shed more light on JTF2 secrets
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- The view of Bipole III from Hart Mountain
- UNESCO's concerns unrelated to Bipole III
- Shed more light on JTF2 secrets
- Hydro must serve citizens, not government
- The view of Bipole III from Hart Mountain
- Erdogan — a Chavez-style strongman who gets results
- Aging makes women proud — and loud
- Was east side misled by NDP government?
- Quebec's nationalism run amok
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- No bailouts required for Pollock's
- Teachers should fast-track inclusive plan
- Smart people SLEEP LATE
- Manitoba Hydro's halcyon days are gone
- Hydro must serve citizens, not government
- Shocking exclusion
- Canadian to expose alien collaboration with U.S.
- Gadgets in classrooms are gimmicks
- ‘Stand your ground’ case not what it seemed
- Hydro plans will be scrutinized in public
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is be a Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscriber to join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
Have Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press print or e-edition subscribers only. why?
Login SubscribeHave Your Say
Comments are open to Winnipeg Free Press Subscribers only. why?
SubscribeThe Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.