Have you got an old sailboat stashed in your boathouse? If you do, Rob Mazza wants to know about it.
A passionate marine historian and a former designer for the legendary Canadian builder C&C Yachts, Mazza has embarked on this latest project with the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes in Kingston, Ont. His goal is to track down old racing dinghies, both wood and fiberglass, particularly a highperformance 14-foot design that originated as the Canadian 14 in the 1890s. By the 1930s, it had evolved to become the International 14. For almost a century, many of Canada’s top sailors have raced these sleek, fast sailboats.
When Mazza asks what happened to the boats, he’s frequently told that they were “sold into cottage country.” About 20 were even built by Muskoka’s Greavette Boat Works in Gravenhurst, Ont., better known for its sleek mahogany powerboats.
The museum hopes to create a register and, depending on the response, they may be able to offer maintenance advice. If some boats are rare, the museum may be interested in acquiring them in exchange for a tax receipt. “We hope that we can provide historical perspective to the owners on their individual boats, but also provide suggestions on their restoration and maintenance from other owners and experts in the field, or our active volunteer-run boatshop.”
The museum already has two of this class of sailboat, including the last one built by Greavette, in 1949, called Ariel and found in the U.S. “If we can encourage cottagers to hang onto and document their boats, I’d eventually like to bring them in on a selective basis,” Mazza says. “But the first step is to find out what’s out there.”
“The fact that cottagers have held onto these boats for so long means they care. The father may have held onto it because the grandfather loved it, and now the grandson says, ‘Why are we hanging onto this?’ My great fear is that someone will take an axe to it,” he adds about a prospect languishing under the cottage. If that thought has crossed your mind, take a photo and send it to Mazza at robertlmazza@gmail.com.
This story also appeared in the Mar/Apr 2022 issue of Cottage Life magazine.
Worker shortages, factory closures, and shipping delays have caused a crushing blow to the global supply chain. The disruption, which is a result of the COVID pandemic, extends to a variety of industries, including boat manufacturing. So, cottagers, if you had your eye on a new boat this summer, expect delays.
In spring 2021, 73 per cent of marine manufacturers reported backlogs in demand, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Sara Anghel, president of the NMMA, says that while the supply chain disruption has caused a slight depletion in the number of available boats, there is still a healthy inventory out there. So if there are boats to choose from, what’s made acquiring one so difficult? It’s the surge in demand over the last two years.
New boat sales rose by 15 per cent in 2021, reaching 46,500 units—the highest number since 2012. Pre-owned boat sales jumped by 22 per cent in 2020, reaching 71,700. The number increased again in 2021 to 75,100, the highest sales numbers in the last 10 years.
There was also a significant increase in Canadians earning their pleasure craft operator cards. In 2020, 237,000 new cards were issued, compared to 2019, which saw fewer than 150,000.
The reasoning behind the surge in boating demand, Anghel says, is simple. “It’s a trend we’ve seen happen almost all around the world. People are not able to travel, so boating is this fantastic thing to do while social distancing with your immediate family members not far away from home.”
The increase in demand combined with supply chain disruptions means Canadians could experience a prolonged period between purchasing a new boat and actually acquiring it. According to Anghel, the waiting time depends on the type of boat you’ve purchased, who’s manufacturing it, and where the parts are coming from.
“If families are looking to purchase smaller aluminum fishing boats or smaller fibreglass boats, things that don’t take as long to build and are made within our domestic market, those may be easier to obtain more quickly,” Anghel says. “When you’re looking for a customized, larger boat, that’s where the challenges are going to come into play.”
If you’re not willing to wait for a new boat, an alternative is purchasing a pre-owned boat—no waiting on parts. But beware: demand for pre-owned boats remains high, so the variety of inventory available is limited.
If you are thinking of purchasing a pre-owned boat, the first step, Anghel says, is deciding how you will use the boat. Are you looking to go fishing? Do you want a boat that’s good for water sports? Or are you looking for something you can cruise around on the lake? She suggests checking out discoverboating.ca, where you can look at different types of boats and their manufacturers. You can also find local boat dealers on the website.
Once you’ve settled on the type of boat you want, Anghel says it’s best to contact a local dealer and have them walk you through their pre-owned inventory. This prevents any issues with online scams and ensures you have the dealer’s expertise at your disposal.
Before purchasing, Anghel recommends contacting insurance providers to get a quote. An older boat may be cheaper upfront, but it could cost you more in insurance.
Finally, check that the boat is NMMA certified. “That guarantees that the boat was inspected by one of our inspectors when it was brand new, and it meets all the certification and safety requirements,” Anghel says.
“People who want to get into boating, we always encourage them to do their homework on boating safety to ensure the best experience once they pick whatever boat they want.”
Related Story Versatile new pontoon boat hitting the waves soon
Worker shortages, factory closures, and shipping delays have caused a crushing blow to the global supply chain. The disruption, which is a result of the COVID pandemic, extends to a variety of industries, including boat manufacturing. So, cottagers, if you had your eye on a new boat this summer, expect delays.
In spring 2021, 73 per cent of marine manufacturers reported backlogs in demand, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Sara Anghel, president of the NMMA, says that while the supply chain disruption has caused a slight depletion in the number of available boats, there is still a healthy inventory out there. So if there are boats to choose from, what’s made acquiring one so difficult? It’s the surge in demand over the last two years.
New boat sales rose by 15 per cent in 2021, reaching 46,500 units—the highest number since 2012. Pre-owned boat sales jumped by 22 per cent in 2020, reaching 71,700. The number increased again in 2021 to 75,100, the highest sales numbers in the last 10 years.
There was also a significant increase in Canadians earning their pleasure craft operator cards. In 2020, 237,000 new cards were issued, compared to 2019, which saw fewer than 150,000.
The reasoning behind the surge in boating demand, Anghel says, is simple. “It’s a trend we’ve seen happen almost all around the world. People are not able to travel, so boating is this fantastic thing to do while social distancing with your immediate family members not far away from home.”
The increase in demand combined with supply chain disruptions means Canadians could experience a prolonged period between purchasing a new boat and actually acquiring it. According to Anghel, the waiting time depends on the type of boat you’ve purchased, who’s manufacturing it, and where the parts are coming from.
“If families are looking to purchase smaller aluminum fishing boats or smaller fibreglass boats, things that don’t take as long to build and are made within our domestic market, those may be easier to obtain more quickly,” Anghel says. “When you’re looking for a customized, larger boat, that’s where the challenges are going to come into play.”
If you’re not willing to wait for a new boat, an alternative is purchasing a pre-owned boat—no waiting on parts. But beware: demand for pre-owned boats remains high, so the variety of inventory available is limited.
If you are thinking of purchasing a pre-owned boat, the first step, Anghel says, is deciding how you will use the boat. Are you looking to go fishing? Do you want a boat that’s good for water sports? Or are you looking for something you can cruise around on the lake? She suggests checking out discoverboating.ca, where you can look at different types of boats and their manufacturers. You can also find local boat dealers on the website.
Once you’ve settled on the type of boat you want, Anghel says it’s best to contact a local dealer and have them walk you through their pre-owned inventory. This prevents any issues with online scams and ensures you have the dealer’s expertise at your disposal.
Before purchasing, Anghel recommends contacting insurance providers to get a quote. An older boat may be cheaper upfront, but it could cost you more in insurance.
Finally, check that the boat is NMMA certified. “That guarantees that the boat was inspected by one of our inspectors when it was brand new, and it meets all the certification and safety requirements,” Anghel says.
“People who want to get into boating, we always encourage them to do their homework on boating safety to ensure the best experience once they pick whatever boat they want.”
Related Story Versatile new pontoon boat hitting the waves soon
A trip to the cottage or cabin is a chance to relax, unplug a little, and have some much-needed quality time with friends and family. Whether you’re there for a week or just the weekend, it’s an opportunity to reconnect and have fun with loved ones in an idyllic setting, especially if there are activities for all ages at the cottage and in the area.
Make the most of your next cottage country stay by booking a Vrbo vacation rental that offers plenty of family-friendly amenities and boredom-busting extras. In addition, plan ahead and bring along any additional outdoor and indoor recreation items, games, or equipment that your group might want to have on hand.
Rain or shine, here are seven fun activities for all ages to do at the cottage:
Splash and swim
If your holiday rental includes waterfront access, you’ll likely be spending much of your time in and near the water. Ask the host if inflatables and pool noodles will be available, and bring your own accessories if necessary. For kids and adults alike, a floating water mat can offer hours of activity and entertainment. Build a campfire together
Building a campfire from scratch can be a fun bonding activity for all ages, especially if it’s followed by making s’mores. Plus, you can sing songs or tell ghost stories by the fire afterwards. On Vrbo, some listings do indicate in the title or main description that a fire pit is available, but you might have to bring your own firewood, starter fluid, and marshmallows.
Take a group hike
Look on a map or ask your host: there might benice forest or waterfront trails close to the cottage. Most are dog friendly, and some even lead to scenic waterfalls and secluded beaches. For a longer or more strenuous hike, consider exploring nearby provincial parks and conservations areas—the trails there may offer greater variety and more of a challenge. Get on the water
Activities like stand-up paddle-boarding, canoeing, and kayaking can be crowd-pleasers, and you can go out for 15 minutes or an entire afternoon. Some waterfront rentals are fully equipped with the gear you’ll need to get on the water, including life jackets for the whole family. And if not, you can always bring your own gear, or you might be able to rent equipment at a nearby marina or beach.
Have a board game tournament
On rainy days, board games are a family vacation essential.Don’t hesitate to ask the host in advancewhat games, if any, will be available at the cottage. You may need to bring a few favourites from home if you want to make sure there are appropriate options for everyone in your party, or if you’re hoping to play something specific. Monopoly, Scrabble, and Catan are all family-friendly options.
Plan a scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is one sure-fire way to bring out everyone’s competitive side. For maximum fun, consider including a few outrageous or silly requests on the list alongside more straightforward finds like household items or objects found in nature.
Go for a ride
Cycling and mountain biking are two of Vrbo’s available filters, so you can easily search for a cottage rental that has those activities nearby. Just be sure to bring well-fitting helmets for everyone who might want to come along for the ride, even if bikes are already available at the cottage.
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Winter cottage trips often require long drives on dark, snowy roads. The last thing you want is to be caught unprepared if you end up stranded. Here are the things you should keep in your car during the winter to keep you safe.
Tire traction mats
Keep these durable mats in your trunk to get you out of snow, mud, sand or dirt.
Stock your car with everything you’d need in case of emergency (like bandages, rubbing alcohol, a cold compress, etc.). This waterproof, shockproof case is military-grade, so your important supplies stay dry and usable.
It’s not likely these will help you out of a bind, but these heavy-duty mats are perfect for protecting your car floor from muddy, snowy, salty boots, shoes, and paws this winter.
These waterproof LED flares should be kept in your car year-round. They allow passing cars to see you (up to one mile away at night) should you end up stuck on the side of the road.
Each of these adhesive body warmers provides 12 hours of heat, to help keep your core temperature if you end up stuck on the side of the road (or just forget your winter gloves).
This water-resistance emergency sleeping bag is made of material that reflects up to 70 per cent of radiated body heat and is resistant to tears. The bright orange colour is intentional—it makes you easier to spot.
This lightweight, compact shovel easily stashes away in your trunk. It’s perfect for digging out a vehicle stuck in the snow, and the metal edge is sharp enough to dig through ice.
Keep this handy multitool in your glove compartment. It includes everything from an LED flashlight and digital tire pressure gauge to a glass hammer and seat belt cutter.
It’s never a bad idea to keep an extra warm jacket in the car, especially since temperatures tend to drop at night—you may not be dressed warmly enough in an emergency.
Unless you’re very familiar with plains-dwelling animals, you’d probably never peg the Richardson’s ground squirrel as a relative of the red squirrel or the grey squirrel. These mammals look much more like gophers or small prairie dogs. And they behave more like both: “ground squirrel” is an incredibly apt common name given how much of their lives these critters spend underground! (It’s a lot—see below.)
Ground squirrels vs. tree squirrels
The species was named after the Scottish naturalist Sir John Richardson. Looks-wise, they have larger bodies but much smaller tails than their tree squirrel relatives. (Tree squirrels need bushy tails to help with balance.) A ground squirrel’s skinny tail is almost constantly twitching, like a tiny whip—it’s one reason why they’re nicknamed “flickertails.” Their ears, meanwhile, are so flat that they appear mashed into either side of the head.
When do they hibernate?
The Richardson’s ground squirrel spends up to eight months hibernating. Adults emerge from their dens—in Canada, dug into open meadows and plains in the prairie provinces—between February and March. They return underground by mid-June at the latest. Juvenile squirrels spend a little less time in hibernation—between five and seven months. But even when the squirrels are not hibernating, they’re still only aboveground for eight to 10 hours of the day. An individual Richardson’s ground squirrel spends a mere 15 per cent of its existence on the surface. (Imagine living 85 per cent of your life in the basement.)
Ground squirrel dens provide digs for other prairie dwellers
Richardson’s ground squirrel burrows play an important role in the lives of other denning creatures. Mice, voles, burrowing owls, badgers—they enlarge the holes to suit their bigger bodies—plus salamanders and invertebrates repurpose empty dens. Even bumblebees nest in ground squirrel homes.
When do ground squirrels reproduce?
Squirrels mate soon after they emerge from hibernation in early spring. Females all give birth around the same time, so the population explodes all at once. But it can crash just as quickly: mortality is especially high with this species, thanks to prairie predators such as hawks, falcons, eagles, weasels, and rattlesnakes. About 50 to 70 per cent of babies don’t live long enough to reproduce (at about a year old). Despite this, it’s common to spot both adults and babies in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta—at least, it’s more common to spot them than it is to spot other grassland mammals. They’re bold, and will happily approach people, looking for handouts. Cheeky!
We need to replace the hot water tank at our cottage near Burk’s Falls, Ont. We are interested in tankless-style water heaters, but we wonder if they will get the water warm enough. We use the cottage mostly in spring, summer, and fall, but do make one or two trips there in winter. Our heat is electric, and we are not interested in installing propane. Will the tankless models perform well this far north?—Sue Tereschyn, Middle Doe Lake, Ont.
Our sources say no. That sounds like we asked a Magic 8 Ball, but we asked real people.
“Burk’s Falls is cold,” says Paddy Wright-Harris, the business development manager at Muskoka’s Harris Plumbing. “The incoming water temperature—depending on the source—will be super cold,” she says. “The unit may not be able to reach 120 degrees output.”
Matt Girard, the owner of M&J Plumbing in Peterborough, Ont., says that in rural areas, it’s often the water quality that’s the bigger issue—and that could be a problem year-round.
Tankless heaters can be fussy: hard water, sediment, iron, or anything else in the lake or well has the potential to clog and damage the tubing inside the unit. So this could mean installing a water softener and/or a filtration system if you don’t already have them. Ka-ching.
Plus, says Devin Klatt, a plumber with Harris Plumbing, not all cottages are going to be wired for a tankless heater. “Some units require three separate, dedicated 50-amp breakers and a main service panel of at least 300 amps,” he says. It’s possible your cottage has all this juice, but we suspect not. (Even most average homes only have a total capacity of 200 amps, says Klatt.) So you’d need to make some electrical upgrades. Ka-ching.
We don’t want to knock electric, tankless hot water heaters. They have a lot of pros. And drained and properly winterized, they can survive the winter just fine. Baby them, and they can last up to 25 years. But if not, the repairs or replacement parts can be costly, says Klatt. So, yeah. Ka-ching.
Happily, new electric hot water heaters come in space-saving designs, they’re better at keeping water hot, and they’re more energy efficient. Shop around. Look for a model with a long warranty and have it serviced regularly, says Wright-Harris. “That would be a safer bet, and our professional recommendation.”
This article was originally published in the Winter 2021 issue of Cottage Life magazine.
Got a question for Cottage Q&A? Send it to answers@cottagelife.com.
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I have studied coyotes and other wild canids for over 30 years. Co-existence with coyotes is possible. My understanding comes from many places: being a care-giver to orphaned coyote pups, studying the development of coyote play and communication, helping trap and radio-collar them, supervising multiple theses and, most recently, monitoring a multi-generational coyote family for years. I interact with coyotes at very close range, and sparingly use aversive conditioning, which involves using my voice, body, and a held object to establish boundaries.
Distorted risks
I am often asked how citizens can protect themselves against “aggressive coyotes.” In my research, I found that coyotes rarely exhibit aggression, but human fear of coyotes is pervasive and overrides scientific evidence. While sometimes unintended, the use of risk narratives (including misplaced words like bold, aggressive) by scientists or media has the demonstrated effect of tapping into existing fear—this is referred to as the “social amplification of risk.”
People then normalize the idea that coyotes are likely to attack, rather than the more apt narrative: Coyotes are simply trying to survive, preferring to avoid people. When coyotes react, it is to protect themselves, their mates or pups from an actual or perceived threat, like dogs chasing them or coming into a den area, or a person poking at the den with a stick. In the reports that I have reviewed where dogs were attacked, over 90 per cent involved dogs off-leash and at-large.
Coyote reactions stem from context and experience, they are varied and rarely about aggression. Habituation in cities may have led to delayed or less dramatic responses in coyotes, as compared to non-urban coyotes that often desperately flee from humans.
Living in the city
Conflict with coyotes is preventable, but when it occurs, it does so in the context of several human-centred factors. Habituation of coyotes is often the first identified culprit. This means that the coyotes become accustomed to human activities, learn to “tune them out” and direct attention to those things that are more important, like finding food.
In wildlife observational research, scientists often strive for animal habituation so the observer may be in plain sight, yet “invisible,” allowing animals to do what they do. In the absence of immediate threats, coyotes learn to sometimes disregard humans.
Habituation may lead to proximity issues, which can cause conflict if it is coupled with food conditioning—the intentional or unintentional feeding of coyotes. This arises when people fail to keep yards free of food attractants like dog food, bird seed, fallen fruit, or compost. A coyote learns to depend on that food source, which can can increase the risk of the coyote guarding food against people and pets.
What is most catastrophic to co-existence is when people decide to deliberately feed coyotes. That often is a death sentence for the coyote because it can eventually demand food. Coyote demand behaviour may include a coyote latching on to a person’s clothing or limbs in an attempt to get food, and can be mistakenly classified as aggression or attack. Once a coyote has bitten a person, the chances of rehabilitation are low relative to the risk of escalation, and a coyote exhibiting this behaviour would likely be killed.
Several studies about coyote diet in Calgary, conducted in my lab, showed less than two per cent of samples contained pet remains. Coyotes are not fully to blame: the city has a bylaw prohibiting free-ranging pets, which many people disregard, subjecting their pets to possible death by owl, eagle, bobcat, domestic dog, coyotes and vehicles. Coyotes often just scavenge, earning them the label “nature’s clean up crew.”
Dog encounters
Coyote parents are very defensive of their pups, who are born around early April. (Shutterstock)
Coyote pups are usually born around early April, known as denning season, and coyotes shift into pup-guarding mode. As a result, there can be a spike in conflict between dogs and coyotes, almost exclusively due to a perceived intrusion by a domestic dog.
Coyotes may first warn by standing and staring, this will increase to vocalization, a bluff charge, then an attack on the dog if the owner does not withdraw immediately.
Coyotes in non-urban situations might prefer certain den characteristics (for example, south-facing slopes), but in fragmented green spaces that dot cities, coyotes may be forced to be resourceful—and the more disturbed they are by people or dogs, the more prone the coyotes are to move pups somewhere perceived to be safer.
Last year at one study site, I observed hundreds of people a week, many with dogs, walked right past a father or mother coyote with four pups less than 30 metres away. The parent coyotes were measured, careful and avoided conflict routinely. Over the course of thousands of possible interactions that summer, there were six reports of “aggressive” or “bold” coyote interactions. In these rare cases, a parent coyote either escorted, bluff charged or vocalized to repel dogs that were allowed to wander in closed areas—there were no attacks or injuries.
On the University of Calgary campus, we have a peaceful wildlife co-existence program, based on monitoring and investigation, education, enforcement, and mitigation. With the help of supportive staff and faculty, responsive deployment of signage or closures, removal of attractants and the measured use of humane aversive conditioning, our program ensures coyotes and surrounding communities continue to use the campus safely, promoting biodiversity and sustainability in the urban ecosystem.
I have studied coyotes and other wild canids for over 30 years. Co-existence with coyotes is possible. My understanding comes from many places: being a care-giver to orphaned coyote pups, studying the development of coyote play and communication, helping trap and radio-collar them, supervising multiple theses and, most recently, monitoring a multi-generational coyote family for years. I interact with coyotes at very close range, and sparingly use aversive conditioning, which involves using my voice, body, and a held object to establish boundaries.
Distorted risks
I am often asked how citizens can protect themselves against “aggressive coyotes.” In my research, I found that coyotes rarely exhibit aggression, but human fear of coyotes is pervasive and overrides scientific evidence. While sometimes unintended, the use of risk narratives (including misplaced words like bold, aggressive) by scientists or media has the demonstrated effect of tapping into existing fear—this is referred to as the “social amplification of risk.”
People then normalize the idea that coyotes are likely to attack, rather than the more apt narrative: Coyotes are simply trying to survive, preferring to avoid people. When coyotes react, it is to protect themselves, their mates or pups from an actual or perceived threat, like dogs chasing them or coming into a den area, or a person poking at the den with a stick. In the reports that I have reviewed where dogs were attacked, over 90 per cent involved dogs off-leash and at-large.
Coyote reactions stem from context and experience, they are varied and rarely about aggression. Habituation in cities may have led to delayed or less dramatic responses in coyotes, as compared to non-urban coyotes that often desperately flee from humans.
Living in the city
Conflict with coyotes is preventable, but when it occurs, it does so in the context of several human-centred factors. Habituation of coyotes is often the first identified culprit. This means that the coyotes become accustomed to human activities, learn to “tune them out” and direct attention to those things that are more important, like finding food.
In wildlife observational research, scientists often strive for animal habituation so the observer may be in plain sight, yet “invisible,” allowing animals to do what they do. In the absence of immediate threats, coyotes learn to sometimes disregard humans.
Habituation may lead to proximity issues, which can cause conflict if it is coupled with food conditioning—the intentional or unintentional feeding of coyotes. This arises when people fail to keep yards free of food attractants like dog food, bird seed, fallen fruit, or compost. A coyote learns to depend on that food source, which can can increase the risk of the coyote guarding food against people and pets.
What is most catastrophic to co-existence is when people decide to deliberately feed coyotes. That often is a death sentence for the coyote because it can eventually demand food. Coyote demand behaviour may include a coyote latching on to a person’s clothing or limbs in an attempt to get food, and can be mistakenly classified as aggression or attack. Once a coyote has bitten a person, the chances of rehabilitation are low relative to the risk of escalation, and a coyote exhibiting this behaviour would likely be killed.
Several studies about coyote diet in Calgary, conducted in my lab, showed less than two per cent of samples contained pet remains. Coyotes are not fully to blame: the city has a bylaw prohibiting free-ranging pets, which many people disregard, subjecting their pets to possible death by owl, eagle, bobcat, domestic dog, coyotes and vehicles. Coyotes often just scavenge, earning them the label “nature’s clean up crew.”
Dog encounters
Coyote parents are very defensive of their pups, who are born around early April. (Shutterstock)
Coyote pups are usually born around early April, known as denning season, and coyotes shift into pup-guarding mode. As a result, there can be a spike in conflict between dogs and coyotes, almost exclusively due to a perceived intrusion by a domestic dog.
Coyotes may first warn by standing and staring, this will increase to vocalization, a bluff charge, then an attack on the dog if the owner does not withdraw immediately.
Coyotes in non-urban situations might prefer certain den characteristics (for example, south-facing slopes), but in fragmented green spaces that dot cities, coyotes may be forced to be resourceful—and the more disturbed they are by people or dogs, the more prone the coyotes are to move pups somewhere perceived to be safer.
Last year at one study site, I observed hundreds of people a week, many with dogs, walked right past a father or mother coyote with four pups less than 30 metres away. The parent coyotes were measured, careful and avoided conflict routinely. Over the course of thousands of possible interactions that summer, there were six reports of “aggressive” or “bold” coyote interactions. In these rare cases, a parent coyote either escorted, bluff charged or vocalized to repel dogs that were allowed to wander in closed areas—there were no attacks or injuries.
On the University of Calgary campus, we have a peaceful wildlife co-existence program, based on monitoring and investigation, education, enforcement, and mitigation. With the help of supportive staff and faculty, responsive deployment of signage or closures, removal of attractants and the measured use of humane aversive conditioning, our program ensures coyotes and surrounding communities continue to use the campus safely, promoting biodiversity and sustainability in the urban ecosystem.
The backstory: Philip Preville’s fondest childhood memories are of skiing on the slopes of Quebec and Alberta, where he grew up. “Getting up early on a cold winter morning and grabbing my skis is part of who I am,” says the 53-year-old freelance writer and Cottage Life contributor. Philip introduced his beloved sport to his wife, Lynn, a 46-year-old surgeon, and their three sons: 15-year-old, Luke and 12-year-old twins, Noel and Ivor. Skiing became the family’s favourite winter pastime, with the boys all joining racing programs from an early age. After the family moved from Toronto to Peterborough, Ont., in 2011, they became season’s pass holders at Devil’s Elbow, a local ski resort. But when Devil’s Elbow closed in 2018, the family needed a new place to ski. Friends invited them to the Muskoka Ski Club, operating out of Hidden Valley Highlands, near Huntsville, Ont., which is about two hours north of Peterborough. The family rented an Airbnb in 2018 and fell in love with Hidden Valley’s picturesque peaks and tight-knit community. And while ski club family memberships can cost upwards of $70,000 in Ontario, the Muskoka Ski Club’s membership was about $11,000. Instead of continuing to rent Airbnbs, Philip and Lynn decided to buy a Huntsville cottage to use as a permanent homebase during ski season. “Unlike most people seeking a summer getaway, we were looking for something with winter specifically in mind,” says Philip.
The search: In the fall of 2019, the family began looking to buy a three-bedroom cottage. “A waterfront property was also on our checklist, but it wasn’t a must-have,” says Philip. “The priority was finding something as close as possible to Hidden Valley.” They hoped to spend less than $500,000 on their new cottage, but quickly realized they were priced out from any waterfront properties, which were listed at $750,000 and above. The family shifted their search to more affordable inland cottages. That October, they toured a three-bed, two-bath cottage that was a 10-minute drive from Hidden Valley. Part of a recently built subdivision on the outskirts of Huntsville, the one-storey home sat on a 15,000-sq. ft. wooded lot that backed onto Deerhurst Highlands Golf Course. Though the interior has a good amount of living space, “At 1,500 sq. ft, there isn’t a lot of room for guests,” says Philip. The cottage was listed for slightly higher than their $500,000 ceiling, but the couple still made an offer. The sellers accepted, and the family took possession in November, just in time for the 2019-2020 ski season.
The silver lining: That winter, the family spent most weekends and Christmas at their new inland cottage. Despite sporadic COVID-related closures at their ski hill in the two years since, the family continues to savour their weekly winter escape. When they’re not skiing, they enjoy hiking the nearby woods and cozying up together for movie nights. They also mountain bike in the summer. “Skiing transforms your entire experience of winter,” says Philip. “You can socialize and have fun, no matter how cold it is outside. That’s why it’s worth making the long drive every weekend, without a doubt.”
Philip’s reasons to consider an inland cottage
1. Water activities aren’t your main priority
If your passion happens to be skiing, cycling, hiking, or even bird-watching, Philip cautions that a waterfront cottage may go unused and become a superfluous perk. “Why pay for premium waterfront when you might never be on the water?” he says.
2. You get more of a plug-and-play cottage experience
Philip’s inland cottage is hooked up to municipal water and hydro on a road that also has services such as garbage pickup and snow plowing. Those conveniences eliminate much of the work that comes with roughing it in more isolated waterfront cottages.
3. There are always other ways to access the water
This past summer, Philip made a habit of biking three kilometres from his Huntsville cottage to a public beach on nearby Peninsula Lake for a morning swim. “We don’t have our own private waterfront,” he says, “but there’s plenty of rivers, marinas, and beaches close by.”
Did you recently buy a cottage in a non-traditional way? We’d love to hear about it! Email alysha@cottagelife.com.
