Our team has given consideration to how the 2026 Winter Activity schedule should look in light of the change in management of the Winter Coach Program as well as the issue of climate change and the resulting uncertainty of snow conditions. When there is ample snow the coach trips have been very popular for both snowshoers and skiers. However, when there is less snow it gets harder to fill the coaches. When the coach is cancelled there isn’t an alternative offered and people have to make their own arrangements to reach the trails. Coach buses need to be booked several months in advance, which is difficult when we don’t know what the snow conditions will be. Last season we had plenty of snow but we won’t know until the new season arrives if that was an anomaly.
To help ensure continuity during the 2026 Winter season for members who don’t drive, or prefer not to, we will offer a combination of coach trips to popular ski/snowshoe destinations and school bus hikes within a shorter drive of Toronto. Depending upon the amount of snow either snowshoes or icers may be utilized for the school bus hikes. As a bonus, participants will be given opportunity to earn the Toronto Section Winter End-2-End badge through these school bus hikes.
At the time of this writing, we are not certain whether there will be a Winter weekend for skiing and snowshoeing in 2026. We are however planning a Spring Weekend in May with a couple of possible destinations in mind.
If you haven’t yet enjoyed the benefits of Winter hiking, do consider joining us this upcoming Winter season. No heat, no bugs!
Tom Swales
George Lennon
Tim Wainwright
Martha Schrader