Last year, we established how easy it is for residents of Long Lake Village to stay active during the spring and summer, but does it get more difficult in the colder months? In short, the answer is no. Let’s have a look at why getting out of the house, exploring, and living an active lifestyle in Long Lake Village is just as easy in the winter.
The area surrounding Long Lake Village really is a winter wonderland. Let’s start by looking at Crystal Crescent Beach Provincial Park; a park that until now, this blog has not covered. That doesn’t mean that this place isn’t special. Crystal Crescent Beach is located in Sambro Creek on the Chebucto Peninsula, directly south of Halifax. Conveniently located between Halifax and Crystal Crescent is the community of Long Lake Village. This means that for residents of the neighborhood, the beach can be reached in less than 25 minutes via a drive through the Terrence Bay Provincial Wilderness area. For those who aren’t in a rush, a longer, even more picturesque route to the park follows the eastern shore of the Chebucto Peninsula. This road offers stunning views of the entrance to Halifax Harbour and the Atlantic Ocean.
The entrance to the park has three white sand beaches and serves as the trailhead to a 10km hike to Pennant Point. When you arrive at the trail head, boardwalks and paths line the dunes and meander away along the wild and windswept coastline (photo 1). In the summer, this beach has long been a hotspot for Haligonians. In the winter, it offers opportunities for hiking, trail running and spotting local wildlife.
Photo 1. “When you arrive at the trail head, boardwalks and paths line the dunes and meander away along the wild and windswept coastline.”
Closer to home, Long Lake Provincial Park is completely transformed in the winter months. When the lake freezes, easy access to the opposite shore becomes available. Provided the ice is thick enough, it can be easily crossed. This means that winter hiking or snowshoeing trails on the far side of the lake are able to be explored with ease. For those who enjoy wide open spaces, the frozen and snow covered lake surface is perfect for cross country skiing. The same can be said for the 5km Lakeview Trail. While there is a narrow footpath cleared for walkers when the snow falls, the trail is wide enough to allow for cross country ski tracks beside the footpath (photo 2).
Photo 2. “While there is a narrow footpath cleared for walkers when the snow falls, the trail is wide enough to allow for cross country ski tracks beside the footpath.”
A lesser known, local alternative to the Lakeview Trail is the Colpitt Lake Backlands Trail. The trail is part of the McIntosh Run Watershed. The trailhead is just minutes away from Long Lake Village by car or on foot. The trail loops over a bluff and around Colpitt Lake. From atop the bluff, hikers can look northeast and see across the arm into Halifax. To the southeast, there are views of the mouth of Halifax Harbour and McNabs Island (which is also a provincial park). This site is a popular place for university field trips due to the specific topography and geological processes that can be seen on the trail.
For some, winter would not be complete without a few trips to the slopes. Nova Scotia boasts some of the best skiing in the Maritime Provinces. Ski Martock and Ski Wentworth are both very popular locations for downhill and cross country skiing. Wentworth is located north of Halifax in the Wentworth Valley. The best things about Wentworth are the scale of the mountain and the variety of the terrain. From beginners to experts, there really is something for everyone. Black diamond runs, terrain parks, tree sections, it’s all there (photo 3). Most importantly, it’s very possible for experienced skiers and snowboarders to return to the mountain and enjoy themselves time and time again.
Photo 3. “The best things about Wentworth are the scale of the mountain and the variety of the terrain.”
So with that, I think we have answered the initial question. It is very possible to stay active during the winter in Long Lake Village. There are a variety of outdoor activities to take on when the weather gets cold, and a large amount of places to explore. What’s more, you could hit most of them with a rock if you threw it off your back deck on Hadley Crescent. Even so, the truth is we’ve barely begun to talk about all the amazing places that make this area so special. Keep an eye on this blog for more updates on Long Lake Village and details about this spectacular province.