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Winter Activities
Many people have described the Viking Trail as a winter wonderland, and with good reason. The cold season is longer here than in other parts of the province, and generally, there is more snow. These factors create ideal conditions for those interested in winter activities, including those described below.
Snowmobiling
A network of groomed snowmobile trails currently under construction should provide outdoors enthusiasts with a fantastic experience. Snowmobiling is already a very popular past-time among local residents and it is expected that with the completion of the trails, more and more tourists will visit the area in winter. Snowmobiles provide people with access to areas that can’t be reached without great difficulty otherwise. In addition to the pleasure of driving, snowmobilers can see new vistas and closer encounters with wildlife. Many people have cabins inland from their homes, which they utilize in the winter.Cross-Country Skiing
This has been a popular sports among local residents for some years. There are cross country ski trails operated and maintained by ski clubs throughout the area, including those in or near the communities of Rocky Harbour, Cow Head, Port au Choix, Plum Point, Main Brook, Anchor Point, and St. Anthony. Most of these clubs maintain chalets and some of the trails are lit for nighttime skiing. In Gros Morne National Park, a series of trails have been developed that are among the best in eastern Canada.Ice Fishing
The inland ponds and streams of the Viking Trail region provide some of the best ice-fishing in the province. Fishermen reach them by snowmobile and many a tale is told of the one that never got away. The requirements for ice fishing in this region area simple; an ice auger, a stick with a line, some hooks, and bait. In addition to trout, some areas have waterways that provide good smelt or whitefishing opportunities, especially in the spring.Snowshoeing
This is a traditional means of transportation that is regaining popularity as another fine way to enjoy the winter. Many local residents use snowshoes to enjoy a day in the woods and snowshoe races are a popular part of many winter carnivals. The construction of the snowshoes is a dying art and the few residents who make and sell them find the product to be in great demand.Dog-sledding
In decades past, this was the main means of transportation during the winter. Few people maintain dog teams nowadays, but the terrain and snow conditions are ideal in many parts of the Viking Trail. In some areas, dog sled teams were responsible for the delivery of mail and at Shallow Bay Campground in Cow Head, a cross country ski trail follows the mail route used by dog teams in the earlier years of the century.
