Winter may be the best time to explore P.E.I.'s outdoor spaces, trail groups say

For Islanders looking to get outside more this winter, trail groups say the colder months are actually one of the best times of year to explore Prince Edward Island’s outdoor spaces.

From snowshoeing and hiking to fat biking, both Cycling P.E.I. and Island Trails say they are seeing strong use of the trail systems they help maintain.

On the province's longest trail, the Confederation Trail, winter access is more limited. The trail is now closed to all users except snowmobile riders, and it's managed and groomed by the P.E.I. Snowmobile Association.

An exception remains for sections of the Confederation Trail within the city limits of Summerside and Charlottetown. Those areas are not leased and remain open for walking during the winter months.

Beyond the tip-to-tip path, however, there are plenty of other groomed options.

Jordan Bober, executive director of Cycling P.E.I., said the organization is grooming several trail networks this winter, including Rotary Friendship Park in Summerside, the Brookvale Demo Woodlot, Glasgow Hills, the Acadian Forest trails in Charlottetown and the Cardigan trails in eastern P.E.I.

Those are groomed primarily for fat biking, but Bober said other users are welcome as long as they follow basic trail etiquette.

The group does not encourage people to walk on groomed trails in regular boots if the snow doesn't support their weight, as that can create what are known as postholes — deep, boot-sized holes left in the snow by hikers not wearing snowshoes.

“When those postholes then go through… thaw cycles, they become hard, and then they become a hazard, and also difficult to navigate for other users, as you can imagine if you're going over that with a bike or even potentially with snowshoes,” Bober told CBC’s Island Morning.

He added that many trails have signs reminding users that if the snow doesn’t support their weight, they should stay off the trail or use snowshoes.

Bryson Guptill, director of trail maintenance with Island Trails, said the organization generally sees fewer issues with postholes because of the high volume of winter traffic on some of the systems it helps maintain.

“After you've had 20 walkers through, you’ve already got a solid base,” said Guptill, who’s also  the founder of the 700-kilometre Island Walk.

Still, Guptill said conditions can change quickly, especially after heavy snowfall. If the snow is deep, he also recommends using snowshoes.

He advised walkers to be prepared for icy conditions.