Algonquin nordic ski getaway in Wolf Den's NEW CABINS (Fri-Sun) (2/6/2015)

Come join me in winter paradise – Algonquin Park in February – for a mellow cross-country ski trip at the Wolf Den Bunkhouse. The main bunkhouse and outbuildings that many of us have stayed in previously are fully booked by one big group and will be off-limits (except the sauna). But lucky for us, the new owners of the Wolf Den bought some rustic cabins right across the highway and we'll have them all to ourselves! We'll go as a group of 6 to 9 people, depending on how many are sharing beds (I'll move people over from the waiting list if I can as beds get sorted out.)

THE SKIING

Because we'll be a small group, you should have some cross-country skiing experience and be able to keep up doing a moderate pace. I'd ideally like to ski 10-14 km a day, depending on the group and the weather, though more experienced skiers might choose to do extra loops to lengthen the workout.

We'll likely travel Saturday to the Leaf Lake trail, which is about an hour's drive across the park to the East Gate. It's said to have some of the most beautiful lookouts in the park, with trails ranging from 5 to 30 km in length and from easy to very difficult. All trails are groomed.

We'll also likely ski the Fen Lakes trail by the nearby West Gate, which travels through hardwood forest and has four loops – the longest being 13 km – as well as easy and more challenging sections (remember "Heartbreak Ridge," anyone?). The trails are groomed and track set.

THE CABINS

We'll be sharing cozy and rustic living quarters. I'm looking for folks who want a relatively quiet getaway to ski the tranquil woods, share communal breakfasts and a communal dinner Saturday night (due in part to the limited cooking space) and enjoy good company. While a few drinks in the evening are fine, this isn't a trip for raucous late-night drinking games, sorry - cabins are too small! Conversely, it isn't for you if you're hypersensitive to sound.

Both cabins have bathrooms and cooking facilities. The bigger cabin can sleep up to six: it has one bedroom with a double bed, another with a bunk bed that sleeps two singles and a queen bed in a loft that's open to the main space but closed off by a curtain. The second cabin has a bedroom with a queen bed and a pullout on the couch. The bathroom opens into the bedroom so if a couple wants to book the bedroom and aren't comfortable with someone walking through if the bathroom is needed, we might be able to give them the whole cabin for themselves, potentially, for a higher cost.

THE DAY'S ROUTINE

We'll have breakfast around 8 a.m., ideally hitting the road by 9:30 or so to ski inside the park and returning around 3-5 p.m. for dinner, and perhaps some star watching or a walk to the nearby frozen falls later if it's a clear night or a card or board game inside.

If you plan to rent skis, I would encourage you to make arrangements to get to Algonquin Outfitters near our destination before closing time Friday or to be ready to hustle in the morning to rent them and get back without delaying our departure. Or, alternately, you could rent them before leaving on the trip, although it's always great to support the local outfitters.

SOUNDS GREAT! WHAT'LL IT COST ME?

Overall, the bigger cabin rents for $180 a night for up to 4, then $30 each for up to two more people, plus tax, so maximum $240 with full occupancy. The smaller cabin rents for $145 for two plus another $30 for a third person, plus tax.

The exact cost and number of participants on this trip will be determined once we know the sleeping arrangements.

If we have the minimum number of people, six, then each person will owe $108.50 plus tax (13%) plus the online banking/ PayPal transaction fee of 3% ($108.5 + $14.1 + $3.68), rounding off to $127 per person for two nights accommodation. This is the initial cost due up front by paying the TOC's Treasurer when you sign up for the event.

The actual cost of accommodation if we have the maximum number of participants could be as low as $93 plus tax and the transaction fee, but it'll depend on how many people sign up. I'll figure out the exact costs when we're there.

This doesn’t include the costs of car pool (see below but will likely work out to $35-45 per person), shared food for breakfasts and Saturday dinner, the car fee for Algonquin (shared $16/vehicle/day), individual ski passes (about $7/person/day), your lunches and snacks, and equipment rental if needed.

Any two people who wish to take advantage of booking a double bedroom or double bed may request them from me - AFTER REGISTERING. The first to request it AND pay will get it. A simple email letting me (Christine B.) know the Treasurer has been paid for both of you is sufficient to secure the spot - you can confirm with me before paying that you're first in line for the slot.

QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

SEND ALL MONEY TO THE TOC TREASURER.