This text is part of the special Pleasures notebook
It’s winter, an unloved season for many, the days are short, the light is becoming rarer and it’s cold. What if, to counter this grayness, the solution was… to go play outside?
This is what the 4 offers in any casee campaign edition From blah to… happiness, led by the Trans-Canada Trail. This initiative argues that the outdoors is “a bold and affordable way to combat winter gloom.” It is no coincidence that the initiative which invites the public to take advantage of the cold season was launched on January 15, a day nicknamed Blue Monday. It is estimated that it would be the most depressing of the year.
Mathieu Roy, vice-president and director of trail experience, firmly believes in the “transformational power” that the Trans-Canada Trail possesses. “The trail has a power that makes people feel better and in better physical and mental shape. It allows you to move and go outside, yes, but also to socialize and have adventures close to home. »
Indeed, the Trans-Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail in the world, extends over more than 28,000 kilometers on land and water, connecting three oceans: the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic. It connects 15,000 rural, urban and Indigenous communities across all provinces and territories. And it wants to be accessible: it is estimated that more than 80% of the Canadian population lives within 30 minutes of a section of the trail!
“Some parts are isolated, but several are located in cities,” explains the vice-president and director of experience. This was the intention from the start of the project’s development in 1992. We wanted to connect already existing trails and create others in order to travel across Canada visiting communities, and I would say that this is what differentiates this network of others. » For example, in Quebec, the trail extends from Gatineau, in Outaouais, to Dégelis, in Bas-Saint-Laurent, passing through several villages and large centers such as Montreal, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and Quebec.
On these 28,000 kilometers that cross the country, everything is possible, both for novices and experts: winter hiking, running, snowshoeing, cycling with oversized tires, skating or cross-country skiing. Each section offers its own adventure, according to Mathieu Roy, and most of the time for free. On certain sections, it is also possible to rent the necessary equipment.
Playing with winter
Although the Trans-Canada Trail is accessible all year round, it is on January 15 that the campaign From blah to… happiness was launched, inviting people of all ages to get outside. “I notice that in winter, people go out especially if there is sun and snow,” says Mathieu Roy. But going for a walk even if there is not enough snow or going cross-country skiing despite a little rain on your face can also be super pleasant. What we are saying, through this campaign, is to continue to get some fresh air despite everything and to fight the more homely side which can have the upper hand during the colder months. »
And everyone benefits from stepping outside. In 2023, a study commissioned by the Trans Canada Trail showed that thanks to its 2.6 million visitors each year, the trail would avoid $1.7 billion in health care costs and $62.6 million mental health care costs. “The outdoors reduces stress,” says Mathieu Roy, who therefore talks about prevention for trail users.
“It is the longest network in the world and it continues to grow every year: there is something to be proud of! he recalls. With this trail, the country has given itself an immense gift, a legacy that the public must know better. I consider myself working for something bigger than myself and I want my grandchildren to use this trail. »
Five ways to discover the trail
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.