Ice fishing, skating and fat tire bikes: Ottawa residents get out for winter fun

Many in Ottawa and Gatineau are embracing the cold weather and participating in winter activities all over the region. CTV's Kimberley Johnson has more.

From skating on the canal to ice fishing, the cold weather isn’t stopping residents in the national capital region from getting out to enjoy some outdoor fun.

Out in Gatineau, those who like biking in the snow spent Saturday enjoying “Fat-Fest” in Gatineau.

Le Harfang Fat Bike and Raquettes has been putting on the event for four years. Visitors can enjoy over 30 kilometre of winter biking and snowshoeing trails.

Hitting the trails with his 12-year-old daughter is something Phillip Turpin never turns down.

“Soon she’s going to be riding faster than me. For now, I can still follow her around, so I’m good with that,” he said.

The fat tires on the bikes make it easy to navigate through the thick snow. Turpin says everything about it is fun.

“I love the outdoors, I love being with the group, the social aspect with friends and family,” he said.

Organizers say hundreds of cyclists have signed up to traverse the many trails to officially kick off the season and help support local businesses. A trail day pass is $17.

Guy Beaulieu, general manager of Le Harfang, says there are trails that range from easy to hard.

“We’ve got trails for all levels,” he said.

On the Ottawa side of the river, dozens of huts are set up for ice fishing at Petrie Island.

Marco Claroux and his uncle Denis Bergeron have been coming for more than 50 years. They say the cold is helping to make it a better fishing season than last year.

“We have a good spot,” Claroux said. “We catch every day.”

Bergeron added, “It’s cold and the ice is really thick.”