PROVINCIAL PARKS 
     
    
   
   
    
     The snow is upon us so now is the time to get those cross- 
     
     country skis out of summer storage and "tuned up" for the skiing 
     
     season. Cross-country skiing has always been popular but recent 
     
     years have seen a boom in the sport unprecedented in its history. 
     
     It seems like every household on P.E.I. has at least one pair of 
     
     cross-country skis hanging around. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Unlike its Alpine cousin, Nordic skiing is a relatively inexpen— 
     
     sive sport. For less than $100, a person can be outfitted with all 
     
     the equipment necessary to begin. Some people prefer to try out a 
     
     sport before they invest money into it and Provincial Parks can help 
     
     them. Brookvale, Brudenell River and Mill River Provincial Parks have' 
     
     rental skis and they all provide free groomed and tracked trails. 
     
     Trail brochures are available for each park by calling 368-5540. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Both Brudenell River and Mill River Provincial Parks are planning 
     
     ski clinics throughout the winter to introduce people to cross-country 
     
     skiing. These clinics put the emphasis on the recreational aspects 
     
     of the sport and are a very popular way of learning the basics. The 
     
     clinics are also of benefit to intermediate and advanced skiers and a 
     
    
   
   
    
     lunch and bar service will be available so come out and spend the day. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Our other 28 Parks do not have tracked trails but they are all open 
     
     for skiing and snowshoeing. While in our Parks, try to pick out some 
     
     of the different animal tracks in the snow. Look for: the snowshoe 
     
     hare's big feet; the squirrel's small tracks that look like a baby 
     
     snowshoe hare's; the ruffed grouse, with small projections caused 
     
     by small hairs that grow out of the side of the bird's foot; or the 
     
     distinctive owl's, whose feet have feathers coming down over the toes. 
     
     A chart of the common animal tracks has been developed and is available 
     
    
   
   
    
     from Provincial Parks. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Remember Provincial Parks never close, only certain facilities 
     
     do. Why not visit several of our Parks this winter and discover why 
     
     they are beautiful year-round. They are open for your quiet pleasure 
     
    
   
   
    
     so come out and enjoy!