Winter Sports and Events in Moncton Region and New Brunswick 2010

by Heather Ferguson

The Province of New Brunswick possesses an abundance of natural beauty, displaying pastoral vistas in every season. The winter, in particular, is a magical time of year for outdoor enthusiasts, offering a variety of activities specifically geared toward the enjoyment of the cold, crisp air, and the blankets of snow which transforms the everyday landscape to a land of enchantment. Outdoor activities can range from the usual snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and skiing to extreme sports on the cutting edge of adventure such as ice climbing, snow-boarding, ice gliding, snow sailing, snowshoe running, ice fishing, and dog sledding. With world class sporting attractions throughout our province, New Brunswick in winter is the place to be!

For the rush of downhill skiing, Poley Mountain is a highly rated skiing facility with slopes to accommodate every level, from the beginner to the seasoned athlete. Call (506) 433-7653 for reservations or information. A bit closer to home, the Shediac Bay Ski Club offers memberships and conducts various events throughout the season. Call them at 532-9844 for inquiries and enjoy the convenience of a structured organization in the sport of downhill skiing. Of course, cross-country skiing is also a very popular sport for the less adventuresome, and Centennial Park in the city limits, the Irishtown Nature Park, and Mapleton Park all have terrific trails to accommodate cross-country enthusiasts.

New Brunswick also has kilometres of well-groomed trails for the avid snowmobiler, whether as the individual adventurer or as part of a group. The Southeastern New Brunswick Snowmobilers’ Association (SENBSA) Club #20 is, in fact, stationed in the Town of Riverview, and offers a list of wintertime activities lined up for the winter 2010 season. These include a Giant Poker Run and Dance on January 23, a Daytona 500 Blow-out Party on February 15, and a Northern Expedition weekend on March 10 and 11. On April 3, the club will hold their “King of the Mountain” Hill Climb at Poley Mountain. Not a member? Call (506) 734-3455, 855-3444. Other area snowmobile centres and resorts are Sugar Bush La Causerie at 178 Sugary Road in St. Marie de Kent at 955-9082, and Sugarbush Lodge and ATV Tours at 220 Sugarbush Road at 756-2887. This winter, join the fun at a snowmobile club and explore winter in New Brunswick!

In the market for a snowmobile? Hi Tech Power Sports of Moncton, Toys for Big Boys on the Salisbury Road, and G. Bourque of Dieppe are all local agents for the best brands of snowmobiles. Blair Agencies of Riverview has a complete line of trailer systems for transporting these recreational vehicles and provides a fine retail service to individual clients as well as supplying the above-mentioned retail outlets with trailers of every size and capability to facilitate your sporting, transportation concerns. Call them at 387-7182 or visit their showroom at 600 Pine Glen Road, Riverview.

A resurgence of the ancient art of snowshoeing has once again gained popularity amongst the wintertime adventurer and well-marked trails throughout the province after wonderful scope for followers of this sport. The Fundy Park Winter Coastal Trail and the Bay of Fundy winter lodges and resorts network not only offer trails for snowshoeing , but accommodate cross-country and back-country skiing and winter mountain biking as well. The Shiktehawk Trail near Glassville, N.B., and the scenic drive along the banks of the Tobique River is the perfect natural setting for hours of winter fun! In fact, the North View Hunting & Fishing Lodge at Plaster Rock on the Tobique River offers packages for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Call them at (506) 356-7212.

Other winter lodges and accommodations for wintertime activities are Adair's Wilderness Lodge at 900 Creek Road, E4E 5R9, phone at (506) 432-6687, or e-mail at adairs@nbnet.nb.ca; Betts Kelly Lodge, Doaktown, Miramichi, at bettskellylodge.com for ice fishing, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing; Country Haven Lodge at McGray Rapids at 877-359-4665 offering snowmobiling and cross-country trails and dog sledding. Planning to snowmobile to Bathurst? Atlantic Host Hotel, at (506) 548-3335, and Danny’s Inn, at (506) 546-6621, cater to Snowmobilers with parking, repair facilities, breakdown assistance, storage, fuel, and trail maps.

Winter Festivals are a great attraction and most communities have a local winter festival of some kind. The Miramichi White Gold Festival 2010 will take place from February 12 to 14, and will offer a full roster of winter activities including snowshoeing, ice fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling! Skating parties and dances are also much-anticipated features. Contact O’Donnell’s Cottages and Expeditions for full-service cottages and snowmobile rentals for anywhere from one night to a weekend of fun! Call them at 1-800-563-8724. In addition to regular outdoor activities, the festival will feature ice dancing, ice sliding, ice sculptures, a cross-country competition, and the “Miss White Gold” Pageant. There’s something for everyone! The City of Dieppe has been holding a Winter Friendship Carnival for 34 years. This year it falls on February 5, 6, & 7, and will feature lots of outdoor fun at various venues like the Aquatic Centre, the new rink, the Boys and Girls Club, the Golden Age Club, and the Rotary Park. A full schedule will soon be released at the City of Dieppe, or call 877-7900 for more information. On the same weekend, the City of Moncton’s winter event will feature the “Party on the Pond” weekend of winter activities at Centennial Park. There will be sliding, hiking, and cross-country skiing and hot chocolate! On the weekend before and after this special time slot, there will be lots of fun activities at various venues in the park in what will become a 3-weekend span of winter fun! Call 853-3516 for more information. The Town of Riverview will host its Annual Winterlude Festival from February 5 to 14. Sleigh rides, tobogganing, skating, movies, parties, Hub Cap comedians, swimming, and scrapbooking are just a few of the activities during this week, and breakfasts and dinners are a special highlight too!

Into pond hockey? The World Pond Hockey Championships will take place from February 11 to 14 on Roulston Lake at the Plaster Rock Tourist Park! Don’t miss it! Call (506) 356-6166 or fax at (506) 356-6081 for more information. Also, the 2010 Miramichi Rotary Pond Hockey Tournament will take place from February 5 to 7. More information on pond hockey in Moncton, Shediac, Saint John and Fredericton.

In the Greater Moncton Area, the Mariposa Skating Club will offer lessons in ice skating at the 4 Ice Plex continuing all winter until March, 2010. Of course, ice skating is open to all at the Centennial Park rink where once can enjoy the brisk outdoor air. The park also offers walking trails and venues for the relatively new sport of snow-boarding, which is growing popularity among the younger generations. Thinking of the younger set, the Dieppe Rotary Park has a wonderful toboggan hill from which their trail system begins, and the Town of Riverview’s own toboggan hill just off the Findlay Park area is sure to attract scores of kids anxious to experience the thrill of wintertime fun!

Not a wintertime outdoor enthusiast? Chase those winter blahs away with the HubCap Comedy Festival slated for February 10. There’s nothing like a few laughs to lighten any cloudy mood! In fact, the Greater Moncton Area boasts a host of exciting events and attractions in the countdown toward spring in the most important venues – the Capitol Theatre and the Riverview Arts Centre. Please visit Know Moncton event calendar for day to day event listings.

A winter highlight of the 2010 hockey season in the Greater Moncton Area is the 20th Annual Tim Hortons Hockey Tournament, which will take place on the weekend of January 8 to 10. Celebrating an important milestone in the wonderful Timbits Hockey Program’s main attraction, the Parade of Champions will take place during halftime at one of the weekend’s Wildcat games held at the Moncton Coliseum during which Timbits alumni in attendance will be requested to wear a hockey jersey and to stand and be recognized.

Winter shows at Moncton Coliseum The organizer behind upcoming shows at the Moncton Coliseum for Winter 2010 is the Maritimes’s own Master Promotions of Saint John, N.B. The Atlantic Motorcycle and ATV Show to be held from February 12 to 14, the Moncton RV Show from March 5 to 7, Fish Canada and Workboat Canada from March 18 to 20, and the Moncton Boat Show from March 26 to 28 are all Master Promotions productions. In operation since 1973, Master Promotions works closely with various sectors in society including industry, publication, and charitable causes. Committed to the success of every trade show they produce, Master Promotions can be contacted at (506) 658-0018, by fax at (506) 658-0750, or by e-mail at infor@masterpromotions.ca.

An annual rite of spring is the Annual Moncton Home Show! Sponsored by the Greater Moncton Home Builders Association, this popular event ushers in the season of renewal as homeowners, contractors, and project enthusiasts gather to exchange ideas and explore the latest trends and technologies in home building, landscaping, and renovation. Featuring over 250 participating vendors and displays each year, this is a highly popular show with sold-out attendance each year. This year, the Home Show is slated for March 12 to 14. Don’t miss it!

Winter in New Brunswick has lots to offer each individual, whether one seeks activities in the great outdoors, special events and shows, or chooses to sit beside the fireplace dreaming of springtime. Whatever’s your pleasure, wintertime in New Brunswick will never disappoint. Enjoy!