Hike NS Enews: January 2021
It’s a busy season with the Winter Guided Hike Series and a new slate of courses and webinars - including Intro to Snowshoeing. Learn about where to find snowshoes and more!
Winter Guided Hikes
Hike NS and 15 host groups offer the Winter Guided Hike Series across NS. There are over 35 hikes led by local folks and participants qualify to win trail prizes. These free or low-cost hike or snowshoe events require pre-registration and will follow public health protocols. Thanks to our partners for organizing the hikes and The Trail Shop, Goose Lane Editions and the NS Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage. Learn more here.
Winter Courses & Webinars
Registration is open for Hike NS’s slate of Winter 2021 courses and webinars.

In-person courses include two Field Leader - Winter modules (prerequisite is the Field Leader - Hiking course). Webinars include Intro to Snowshoeing, Happy Hiker Feet How-to, Intro to Hiking and Come Walk With Us (about an epic journey across Canada). Learn more and register.
Where to Find Snowshoes Guide
Wondering where to find snowshoes? Check out our Where to Borrow, Rent or Buy Snowshoes guide online.

It includes over 65 listings, including more than 40 venues where you can borrow them for free.  
Online Auction Love
Thanks to some generous bidders, Hike NS made just over $2,000 on our Hiking for the Holidays Online Auction from November 14 to 28. We thank everyone who helped make it a success!

We couldn't have made the auction happen without our donors, especially The Trail Shop for donating most of the items for the auction. We also thank Goose Lane Editions, Mountain Warehouse, MEC, Cobequid Consulting and Annapolis County for donations.
The Trail Shop Partnership
Hike NS is excited to announce a renewed partnership with The Trail Shop! Not only will it continue to support our Hiker Challenge, but it’s now a partner for our Guided Hike Series. And there’s a bonus for Hike NS members - your membership card gets you a discount on hiking gear at The Trail Shop. What’s more, The Trail Shop is presenting our new Intro to Snowshoeing webinar coming up on January 26.
Hiker Challenge Prize Winners
A prize draw for the Hiker Challenge was held on December 1, 2020 for those who earned badges this fall. Congratulations to the winners of gift cards generously provided by The Trail Shop Halifax:
  • $100 gift card: John Carter, Lower Sackville
  • $50 gift card: Finlay Secord, Brookside
  • $25 gift card: Donna Goguen, West Clifford
The application deadline for badges earned this fall is February 28th for the March prize draw!
Take the Roof Off Winter Photo Challenge
Take the Roof Off Winter is Recreation Nova Scotia’s winter active campaign. They’ve partnered with the Healthy Tomorrow Foundation’s Make Your Move campaign to bring you the Take the Roof Off Winter Winter Photo Challenge.

There will be five challenges and five awesome prizes! Plus, just for entering the contest you will win a toque and bag! Learn more here.
Trails Conference Call for Sessions
The Trails for All conference is happening in New Minas from September 16 to 18. It will share experience, wisdom, and innovative ideas from people and projects that help us strengthen the trails community, enhance trail opportunities, and advance the Shared Strategy for Trails in Nova Scotia. Those interested in presenting can submit session ideas. Learn more and submit your idea here.
Upcoming Events

Quick Hiking/Trail News Hits
These are some news hits from Twitter and Facebook:

  • Doctors could soon be prescribing you spend more time outdoors view
  • Trail use has increased during the coronavirus pandemic view
  • Truro's adaptive equipment program boosting outdoor activity during COVID view
  • “Plastic poop” discovery in NS surprises hikers, but not wildlife biologist view
  • Canadians say trails offering physical, mental health benefits during COVID-19 view
  • Christmas is for the birds, and counting their winter population in Nova Scotia view
  • NS man donates parcel of land to mark 50 years since immigrating view
  • New bridge will connect South Shore Annapolis Valley Trail in 2021 view