Winter Activities
Winter Activities
Summer's waters and fish hide beneath thick ice; boats are put away to make room for snowmobiles and dogsleds; snowshoes and winter boots replace hiking boots. The Sportsman's Inn and Killarney area offer a wide range of activities in this winter wonderland.
Snowmobiling
Killarney winters are made for snowmobiling. Killarney is located on the north shore of Georgian Bay, just one hour southwest of Sudbury. Once a fur trading post, then a logging town and commercial fishing centre, Killarney remains a quaint outpost reminiscent of a maritime outport. The hills of the LaCloche Mountain range and the rugged unspoiled natural wilderness create a dramatic backdrop for the winter visitor.
The Pack - The Killarney Snowmobile Club located on Northern Georgian Bay, grooms C107D out to the Main "C" trail from Parry Sound to Sudbury. We also maintian trail C113 to Lake Penage and the Stake Line to Manitoulin Island, Spanish and Whitefish Falls. The club grooms 24/7 with a BR 180 groomer with a 10' drag. Call us for free trail maps 1-800-282-1913. Look for our many winter snowmobiling events, kid days, fish frys, drag races, radar and poker runs.
Many snowmobilers use the Sportsman's Inn, a historic building in the centre of the village of Killarney, as their home base. From day tripping to endless destinations on our many round trip circle tours, the Sportsman's Inn offers returning snowmobile enthusiasts pleasant rooms, good food and great times. Premium gas is available here until midnight each night. We have a large parking area (no charge) for trucks and trailers for those who go saddle bagging from here. Killarney is a great place to begin a long trip west or to the North. Killarney has three main trails that intersect here, allowing a number of options the return to you truck easily from a long trip.
The Sportsman's Inn is located on Trail C107D. Trail maps, permit and additional information can be found through these related links:
Ice Fishing
Ice Fishing at the Sportsman's is hot! Summers turquoise waters are covered by winters 2' of blue ice. We fish Pike, Lake Trout, Perch and Splake. Canadian Sport Fishing Magazine refers to Killarney as the "Splake Capital of the World". Splake is a hybrid back cross of Lake Trout and Brook Trout. We jig in 50' of water in heated ice fish huts. A 6 to 12 lb trout hits your hand held line like a ton of bricks. We supply transportation to the huts, ice fishing rigs, bait, etc... Our off season fishing package prices apply as we substitute the 25 hp boat for an ice hut.
Dog Sledding
Experience dogsledding into the wilds of Killarney Ontario, you will witness, participate and share in a true example of teamwork between man and animal.
You will be so close to nature - it is such a physical and emotional thing. Mush your private dog sled team for the day in Ontario's unique Eco - System. Encompassed by pink granite shorelines, the village of Killarney sits astride a quiet, historic channel of Northern Georgian Bay.
Beyond are the white Quartzite La Cloche Mountains and a myriad of indigo blue, crystal clear lakes. This unique region is so special the Ontario government has set Killarney aside as a protected area for recreation. Visit the Great Lakes Heritage Coast today - Discover our True Nature.
Imagine the awesome power of a sled dog team pulling you swiftly and quietly through this Spectacular Canadian Wilderness, it will be the journey of your life.
The driver holds no whip or rein. You command the dogs verbally, using tone and inflection of your voice to control speed and direction. The commands are "down" for lie down, "alright" for go, "gee" for right turn, and "haw" for left turn.
Each driver has to establish their own rapport, mutual bond of love, respect and discipline with their team of Alaskan and Siberian Huskies, all of which must be earned. Driving a dogsled team is a physical, mental and emotional experience, that few have the opportunity to cherish.
Our sled dogs have a tremendous desire to please. On the other hand they can also be independent, strong willed, stubborn, preponderant and feisty. Teams of 6 dogs pull hand-crafted sleds made of ash, carrying the driver and provisions on daily tours into the wilderness.
The sled dogs are bred and raised in Ontario until their approximately 18 months old, then play turns to training when they are placed into small teams with our old veterans to gain the experience of team work and the trail savvy they will need. The dogs are good workers, intelligent, even tempered and very affectionate. The chill of late fall brings an overwhelming desire to hit the trail for the dogs, they are bred to pull, it's in their psyche.
Each driver is introduced to their dog team by our Wilderness First Aid and CPR trained professional sled dog guides, you are then responsible for the team of 6 sled dogs for a typical 5 - 6 hour day of a guided touring in Killarney Country. You are taught to harness, drive, command, care for and how to become one with the team. A mutual bond and rapport will develop between you and your sled dog team.
A full day dogsledding excursion comprises of a 35 to 45 km round trip tour into Ontario's most spectacular winter scenery, the Killarney ( La Cloche ) Mountains and then along Ontario's Great Lakes Heritage Coast. A stop at midday for a camp fire luncheon is always a high light. 1/2 day outings can also be arranged.
Package Rates to be determined soon.
Cross Country Skiing
Killarney Provincial Park has 33 km of groomed cross country ski trails designated for day use. What better way to see the park in winter! Click here for the park's Ski Report. A ski trail map is available from the Friends of Killarney Park.
Snowshoe/Hiking
The hiking trails get buried deep in snow during the winter. Strap on some snowshoes on and enjoy a wintery landscape on those same trails. Click here to find the trail information.
Hunting
Our hunting seasons extends from early fall through to early winter. Click here to link to our hunting section.