PROVINCIAL PARKS THIS WINTER 
     
    
   
   
    
     The snow is already 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 inexpensive 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 in 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 892-7431, ext. 267. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Both Brudenell River and Mill River Provincial Parks are planning ski clinics 
     
     to introduce people to cross-country skiing. These clinics (January 10 and 
     
     February 28 at Brudenell River and January 31 at Mill River) 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 
     
     growths on the sides of its toes, making the whole foot act like a large snowshoe;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 Provin- 
     
     cial 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 and enjoy! 
     
    
   
   
    
          
     
    
   
   
    
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