Winter Weekend
Held each year during the Family Day weekend, this event is a great opportunity to discover the beauty of winter in Killarney Provincial Park. Glide along 30km of cross-country ski trails, take a guided snowshoe hike, and view the stars from the Park’s Main Beach.
2025 Recap
When planning the Winter Weekend, there were a few different hopes that we had in mind. We hoped that it could be a time to welcome families to get out and enjoy nature together, we hoped that it could be a time for people to learn more about winter camping and to encourage them to try it for themselves, and we hoped that as the Friends, we could invite people to celebrate and partner with us in supporting Killarney Provincial Park.
The weekend was full of fun - from a free BBQ lunch to a winter camping workshop, to the dinner and all the celebrations that came with it! At the dinner we had a few fun presentations planned, including a presentation on two new FOKP Publications by Tegan Smallwood, some Killarney Trivia run by Hayden, and a Research Presentation by Celine Lafrance, on the project that started in the Park in 2024! We also had live music from Katherine Fischer at the beginning and end of the evening!
We hope that the folks who did attend got to meet some new friends, learn some new things, catch up with some people they hadn't gotten to see in a while, share some stories, and have a lovely time.
There were many folks involved in making this weekend and dinner come together so there are a few thank yous to call out in no particular order: The 1st Elmira Scouting Group for the BBQ and their willingness to help with anything that came up, Lure of the North Outfitters for being so enthusiastic about encouraging folks to winter camp, Katherine Fischer for playing two lovely sets of songs for us, Celine Lafrance for sharing about the current research project, Kathleen for the Ontario Parks hot tent set-up, and Ontario Parks Staff for handing out itineraries, moving firewood, BBQs, Garbage Bins, etc... And of course to all of the members, volunteers, and visitors who came out - thank you for being committed to supporting Killarney Provincial park with us!
If you didn't make it out this year, we hope to see you next Family Day Weekend, and would love to celebrate with you!
The weekend was full of fun - from a free BBQ lunch to a winter camping workshop, to the dinner and all the celebrations that came with it! At the dinner we had a few fun presentations planned, including a presentation on two new FOKP Publications by Tegan Smallwood, some Killarney Trivia run by Hayden, and a Research Presentation by Celine Lafrance, on the project that started in the Park in 2024! We also had live music from Katherine Fischer at the beginning and end of the evening!
We hope that the folks who did attend got to meet some new friends, learn some new things, catch up with some people they hadn't gotten to see in a while, share some stories, and have a lovely time.
There were many folks involved in making this weekend and dinner come together so there are a few thank yous to call out in no particular order: The 1st Elmira Scouting Group for the BBQ and their willingness to help with anything that came up, Lure of the North Outfitters for being so enthusiastic about encouraging folks to winter camp, Katherine Fischer for playing two lovely sets of songs for us, Celine Lafrance for sharing about the current research project, Kathleen for the Ontario Parks hot tent set-up, and Ontario Parks Staff for handing out itineraries, moving firewood, BBQs, Garbage Bins, etc... And of course to all of the members, volunteers, and visitors who came out - thank you for being committed to supporting Killarney Provincial park with us!
If you didn't make it out this year, we hope to see you next Family Day Weekend, and would love to celebrate with you!
2025 Itinerary
Friday - February 14
Arrive, get settled in!
Snowshoe and Ski Rentals at the Outpost
Saturday - February 15
Complimentary Welcome BBQ Lunch
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Nature Centre
Burgers, hotdogs, and hot chocolate (vegetarian option available)
Lure of the North Winter Outfitters Camping Presentation/Demo
2 to 4 p.m. Meet at site 35
Come by to learn some traditional methods about how to set up a winter camping site with a hot tent and stove
Dinner with Friends of Killarney Park ($)
5:30 p.m. Meet at Sportsman’s Inn Anchorage Restaurant
Dinner cost is $45/person (Chicken, Steak or Vegetarian Option)
Can be paid at door or in the Outpost if not paid prior to arrival, but rsvp is required.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour - Live Music by Katherine Fischer
6:30-7:00 p.m. Dinner Starts - Speeches
7:00-7:30 p.m. FOKP Publication Presentation by Tegan Smallwood
7:30-8:30 p.m. Dessert and KPP Trivia by Juls
8:30-9:00 p.m. KPP Research Presentation by Celine Lafrance from Queens University
9:00-9:45 p.m. Thank you for coming! - Live Music by Katherine Fischer
Sunday - February 16
Live Art Demonstration with Christy A Smith
11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Meet at Nature Center
Walk down to George Lake with hot chocolate
Bring your own Chair and Mug
Will move into Nature Center if it is too cold
Campfire
12:00-12:30 p.m. Meet at Fire Pit by Nature Center
Bring your own chair
Roasting marshmallows and hot dogs (roasters provided)
Guided Hike/Snowshoe
1:00-3:00 p.m. Meet at Nature Center
Join Chief Park Naturalist Kathleen on a hike across George Lake to marvel at the beauty of the La Cloche Mountains. This hike will take approximately 2 hours, over the frozen lake. Depending on snow fall, it may be beneficial to wear snow cleats or snowshoes with cleat bottoms. The hike will be at a leisurely pace, with stops along the way to learn about the surrounding area. If ice conditions are judged to be unsafe, the hike will take place on the La Cloche Silhouette trail instead, starting at the same time and location.
Arrive, get settled in!
Snowshoe and Ski Rentals at the Outpost
Saturday - February 15
Complimentary Welcome BBQ Lunch
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Nature Centre
Burgers, hotdogs, and hot chocolate (vegetarian option available)
Lure of the North Winter Outfitters Camping Presentation/Demo
2 to 4 p.m. Meet at site 35
Come by to learn some traditional methods about how to set up a winter camping site with a hot tent and stove
Dinner with Friends of Killarney Park ($)
5:30 p.m. Meet at Sportsman’s Inn Anchorage Restaurant
Dinner cost is $45/person (Chicken, Steak or Vegetarian Option)
Can be paid at door or in the Outpost if not paid prior to arrival, but rsvp is required.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour - Live Music by Katherine Fischer
6:30-7:00 p.m. Dinner Starts - Speeches
7:00-7:30 p.m. FOKP Publication Presentation by Tegan Smallwood
7:30-8:30 p.m. Dessert and KPP Trivia by Juls
8:30-9:00 p.m. KPP Research Presentation by Celine Lafrance from Queens University
9:00-9:45 p.m. Thank you for coming! - Live Music by Katherine Fischer
Sunday - February 16
Live Art Demonstration with Christy A Smith
11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Meet at Nature Center
Walk down to George Lake with hot chocolate
Bring your own Chair and Mug
Will move into Nature Center if it is too cold
Campfire
12:00-12:30 p.m. Meet at Fire Pit by Nature Center
Bring your own chair
Roasting marshmallows and hot dogs (roasters provided)
Guided Hike/Snowshoe
1:00-3:00 p.m. Meet at Nature Center
Join Chief Park Naturalist Kathleen on a hike across George Lake to marvel at the beauty of the La Cloche Mountains. This hike will take approximately 2 hours, over the frozen lake. Depending on snow fall, it may be beneficial to wear snow cleats or snowshoes with cleat bottoms. The hike will be at a leisurely pace, with stops along the way to learn about the surrounding area. If ice conditions are judged to be unsafe, the hike will take place on the La Cloche Silhouette trail instead, starting at the same time and location.
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Winter Safety TipsTRAVEL OVER ICE IS NOT RECOMMENDED
Your safety is ultimately your responsibility. If you do plan to cross lakes, check for the latest ice conditions with staff. Exercise caution near creeks, narrows, dams and other areas of moving water. BE PREPARED FOR SEVERE COLD
Temperatures can get as low as -30C. Bring proper clothing, a sleeping bag and other equipment for these conditions. Carry a survival kit with you. |