Snowshoe Hustle another winter succes

By Michael Riley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Hastings Snowshoe Hustle returned to Camp Cedar Ridge in McArthurs' Mills in Carlow Mayo Township on Jan. 18 for its fourth year. Carl Stefanski, chair of Hastings Destination Trails Inc. and Jesse Campbell, assistant director at Camp Cedar Ridge, comment to Bancroft This Week on the fourth annual Snowshoe Hustle and its outstanding success.

Back in 2023, the Hastings Snowshoe Hustle was the first year a Snowshoe Canada sanctioned race was held in Hastings County and the local officials present were also trained by Snowshoe Canada. In addition to skating, tobogganing, a campfire, snowshoeing, and arts and crafts at this year's event, there were also prizes handed out. For more information, go to www.hastingstrails.ca/contact-us/ or email Stefanski at cstefanski@sympatico.ca.

Cedar Ridge Camp was opened in 2006 and is a traditional summer camp for children aged seven to 16 years of age. It's 150 acres on Wannamaker Lake offer a year-round outdoor education and group retreat centre. For more information, go to www.cedarridgecamp.ca. 

HDTI is a not-for-profit organization that encourages and promotes a growing non-motorized trail culture throughout Hastings County. For more information, go to www.hastingstrails.ca.

Stefanski told Bancroft This Week that HDTI found the Snowshoe Hustle to be an outstanding success for their fourth annual event.

“Although the opening ceremony was scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., guests began arriving at 9:30 a.m., anxious to participate in the festivities, especially the dog sledding on the lake. This was a real crowd pleaser. The dog sledding portion consisted of seven teams of mixed breed of ‘pullers' from a pair of malamutes, to black Labradors, and even to a beagle and poodle team. All very well trained,” he says

Stefanski said that the sleds consisted of a racing type that was unable to carry passengers due to the fact that the snowmobiles setting the track encountered several slushy spots.

“The ‘mushers' had a great time talking to approximately 65 visitors who travelled great distances from Kingston and Cobourg to participate. As for the snowshoeing, two courses had been set up. One four kilometre and another one kilometre. A husband-and-wife team won the four kilometre with the prize being passes to the Fenlon Falls Family Fun Day on Feb. 1, and second prize was awarded to another husband and wife team who won two $25 gift cards. Only the two positions were considered. The one kilometre first, second and third prizes of snowshoe medals went to members of the North Hastings Community Integration Association. Other draw ticket prizes consisted of Snowshoe Hustle toques, trail watch caps, a commemorative medal of our event and a Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin Nation 2026 calendar,” he says

Other events included tobogganing, skating, a bonfire and most importantly lunch which ended with smiles, according to Stefanski.

“In the meantime we are in the process of developing another winter event in conjunction with the fifth annual ‘Hustle' in 2027 and once the pieces come together you will be the first to know,” he says.

Stefanski told Bancroft This Week that HDTI wanted to take the opportunity to thank the following businesses and organizations for their continued support and generous contributions; Snowshoe Canada for the two event passes, Trailhead Belleville for the two $25 gift cards, Kijicho Manito Madaouskarini Algonquin Nation for the 2026 calendar, Foodland, Bancroft for providing the lunch, HDTI for supplying the toques and trail caps, Reg Yateman for the medals, Cedar Ridge Camp for allowing the use of their facilities, Carlow Mayo Township for the plowing and the firewood, Don Stoneman for the trail preparation, and North Runner Elite Canine for the dogs and sleds.

Campbell told Bancroft This Week that the Snowshoe Hustle saw in the neighbourhood of 40 participants who did a variety of activities, from the one kilometre snowshoe loop, the four kilometre snowshoe loop, skating, tobogganing, a dogsled demonstration, a campfire with marshmallows, and a hotdog and hot chocolate lunch.

“From what I saw, the participants especially enjoyed exploring the property and the lake on snowshoes,  and the skating. What we enjoy about the event is that it invites local community members to our space,  some who are familiar friends, some who have visited before and are bringing  friends and family, and some who we've never met before,” he says.  “If this event can be a space where people can enjoy the outdoors and meet others in the community, then we're happy with that.”