The ice is melting, the trees are budding, and the birds are singing; spring is here and summer is just around the corner. So are all the awesome summer activities in the Whiteshell. Summer is the most-happening season in the Whiteshell. Whether you want to explore the back-country of the Whiteshell or just relax and take in the scenery, the Whiteshell is the place to be in the summer. Here are the best ways you can Experience the Whiteshell this summer:

South Cross Lake – Photo by Marney Blunt.

1 – Hike the Whiteshell – There are many different hiking trails to explore in the Whiteshell. Whether you want to climb the cliffs of the Hunt Lake Trail, take a casual stroll, or ride your bike through the South Whiteshell Trail, there are a variety of gorgeous hiking trails that will take you deep into the beauty and nature of the Canadian Shield. Some great hiking trails to check out include the Hunt Lake Trail alongside the east shore of West Hawk Lake, the McGillivray Falls Trail, the South Whiteshell Trail (part of the Trans-Canada Trail), the Mantario Trail, the trails at Falcon Ridge, and many more! Check out falconwesthawk.com for more information on these trails, and keep checking Experience the Whiteshell for articles and photos this summer!

The rapids in the spring at McGillivray Falls trail.

The cliffs on the Hunt Lake Trail – Photo by Marney Blunt.

2 – Fish the Whiteshell – Right now just about every avid angler is counting down the days till opening day (and the ice going out). Whether you are looking for top-water bass fishing, jigging for walleyes, trolling for trout, or landing a monstrous northern pike; the Whiteshell is the place for Manitoban anglers to be. It’s also a great place to try out fishing for the first time. Shield Outfitters is an excellent local guiding service run by some veteran anglers that know the Whiteshell well. Whether you want to catch your first fish, a master angler, a shore lunch, or just take the family out for a day of experiencing nature, Shield Outfitters can guide you. Find more information here.

Jigging for walleye with Shield Outfitters.

Shield Outfitters shore lunch.

3 – Ski/wakeboard in the Whiteshell – Gliding across a glass calm lake early in the morning on skis, jumping over a massive wake on your wakeboard, windsurfing across the water, or getting towed behind the boat or your tube, the lakes in the Whiteshell are great for every water activity. Don’t have a boat? No problem – There are plenty of boats available for rent on Falcon, West Hawk, and Caddy Lake. To find businesses with boat rentals, visit falconwesthawk.com.

Skiing Star Lake – Photo by Marney Blunt.

Professional water skier, Geena Krueger, began skiing in the Whiteshell.

4 – Falcon Lake Fun Fest – The Falcon Fun Fest is a great summer event for the entire family. Go on the Wonder Shows carnival rides, check out the beer gardens, live music, walk for cancer, fireworks show, and more.  This  year’s Falcon Fun Fest is on July 4 & 5, 2014. For more information on the festival, check out the Falcon Fun Fest Facebook page.5 – West Hawk Lake Meteor Days – Another great summertime event for the family. Take in the parade, enter a team in the street hockey tournament, check out the vendors, pony rides, and live band on the beach. This year, Meteor Days runs from July 11-13.  For more information, contact the Whiteshell Chamber of Commerce at falconwesthawk.com.

6 – Whiteshell Music Festival – Listen to some tunes at the lake by talented local musicians. Stay tuned for more information.

7 – Paddle the Whiteshell – There are many great canoe or kayak routes in the Whiteshell that go from lake-to-lake with a few brief portages in between. A must-do paddle in the Whiteshell is the Caddy Lake chain. You can rent canoes, kayaks, or boats from one of the two lovely resorts located on the lake. From Caddy Lake you can paddle through the tunnel to South Cross Lake, and through the next tunnel into North Cross Lake. This is a beautiful canoe route with several excellent campsites located along the way. For more information, visit falconwesthawk.com.

Photo by Emily Christie.

The entrance to the first tunnel in the Caddy Lake chain.

8 – Check out the history of the Whiteshell – The Whiteshell Provincial Park is filled with interesting history. Learn about the fur trade at the  Whiteshell Fur Trapper’s Museum  or find out how West Hawk Lake was created at the West Hawk Lake Geology Museum. The Whiteshell Fish Hatchery also has some great history and offers tours of the hatchery so you can see everything from eggs to fingerlings to master angler fish.

9 – Horseback ride through the Whiteshell – View the beautiful scenery of the Whiteshell on horseback with the Falcon Beach Ranch. Experienced riding guides will set you up with a horse and guide you through the trails. All rides are categorized based on experience, and there are also some overnight trail rides and wagon rides. You can find more information here.

Trail riding at Falcon Beach Ranch.

10 – Golf in the Whiteshell – The Falcon Lake Golf Course is considered to be one of the finest golf courses in Manitoba. The golf course also offers other recreational activities including mini-golf, tennis, and lawn bowling. More information can be found on the Falcon Lake Golf Course website. Stay tuned for opening day!

11 – Set Sail in The Whiteshell – Learn to sail across the water with the Falcon Lake Yacht Club! The yacht club is located beside the Faloma Beach Marina, just off Highway 301. Find out more about learning to sail with the yacht club here.12 – Pitch a tent in the Whiteshell – The Whiteshell has some fabulous camping sites located near the Falcon, West Hawk, and Caddy Lake town sites. There are also picturesque campsites located along some of the most beautiful canoe routes in Manitoba. More information on campsites can be found at falconwesthawk.com.

Photo by Aron Coates.

13 – Relax in the Whiteshell – Sitting on the dock in the morning sunshine or watching the sunset gleam over the water from the boat, the Whiteshell is the best place to sit back and relax and enjoy nature in the summertime. Spend your weekends or summer holidays relaxing in the Whiteshell Provincial Park!

Peanut Island, West Hawk Lake.

 – Marney Blunt – Editor/Manager, Experience the Whiteshell.