What happens when you combine an environmental educator, a professional trail builder, and a love and passion for the outdoors? We sat down with Adam and Ruth Shore to get the answer to that question and to learn how Adam and Ruth’s entrepreneurial journey brought their education and expertise to Cape Breton to create a year-round oasis for nature lovers called Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures.
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Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures was founded on the idea that time spent with family is invaluable, and having fun outdoors is an ideal way to spend that time. Adam and Ruth Shore, the founders of Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures, chose to make this idea their priority after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. They wanted to spend time with their son in a place that could offer four seasons of outdoor activities for them to enjoy and call home.
Ruth is originally from Sydney, and while Adam grew up in Halifax, he spent most of his vacation time enjoying Cape Breton with his father’s family in Glace Bay and Mira. Together, these outdoor enthusiasts who love to bike, ski, hike, snowshoe, and generally spend family time (pets included!) outdoors would spend their vacations in Ingonish enjoying the great outdoors and all the area offered while wishing they never had to leave. Over time, missing their family vacation time in the heart of nature made returning to Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail to live the active outdoor lifestyle seem like the obvious choice for them and their family. So, they packed up their life in busy Halifax and moved to Wreck Cove in Cape Breton.
Before their big move, Ruth was a teacher. She has a background in environmental education, which she can put to good use with their business. Since moving to Cape Breton, she has also returned to the education sector. Adam – formerly a software developer, and for nearly 30 years he ran his own business. A flexible career allowed him to travel frequently and experience mountain biking all over the world.
While Adam and Ruth share many of the responsibilities at Trailside, he has focused efforts on Cape Breton as a professional trail builder with a background in landscape construction. He says that “creating beautiful spaces has always been something I just take great pride in doing.” A few years ago, Adam worked with Victoria County and Destination Cape Breton to create the Cape Breton Mountain Bike Tourism Action Plan, based on things he has studied, researched, and learned about the industry over the years.
Together, Ruth and Adam bring their education and expertise to create a year-round oasis for nature lovers at Trailside, though at first, owning a business like this wasn’t their plan. When working on the Cape Breton Mountain Bike Tourism Action Plan, Adam had already dreamed of moving to Cape Breton. The success of this document was just another motivator to make that move. Unfortunately, at first, they struggled to find a house in the area they wanted.
Until finally coming across the 26-acre property situated at the foot of the Cape Breton Highlands which has breathtaking views of the mountains, a lake, and the Atlantic Ocean that would become Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures. This location has had a 150-year history of being a lodging space, such as a bed and breakfast or stopping house.
The property has four rustic cottages built more than two decades ago. So, while Ruth and Adam hadn’t set out to own an accommodation business, finding a beautiful property and home that happened to come with cottages felt like the right fit for them, and in 2021 they acquired the property.
Location is everything, and Trailside is just 15 minutes from Cape Smokey and 20 minutes from Cape Breton Highlands National Park. This means guests are in the heart of Cape Breton’s best winter activities. They can start their day on the private, freshly groomed trails with a leisurely walk or a snowshoeing adventure, made all the easier by free snowshoe loaners. Ruth and Adam are also working on having a fleet of fat bikes available for guests to rent. While the Trailside private trails are intended for non-motorized vehicles, snowmobiling and ATV enthusiasts can take advantage of the nearby highland trails with thousands of kilometres of trails meant specifically for motorized vehicles.
Guests can also easily enjoy the slopes at Cape Smokey with Trailside partnering with Cape Smokey to offer lift pass discounts for multi-night stays with their Ski and Stay Package. When you book this package, Trailside works directly with Cape Smokey to handle your tickets, so that you’re ready to go once you hit the hill. No hassle, no long lines, just maximizing your skiing time! If you prefer cross-country skiing, Trailside is also a short drive to North Highlands Nordic Centre and Ski Tuonela.
While Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures is the perfect place to embrace the beauty of winter, it certainly has year-round appeal. In the summer, adventure seekers can find waterfalls, rivers, mountains, open meadows, and more. According to Ruth, “one of the things that people say over and over when they’re here is that sense of peace and calm and magic that they get from being on the property.” Being so embedded in nature doesn’t just mean exploring trails and hitting slopes, either. Trailside is also a stargazer’s dream. You get an undisturbed view of the stars, constellations, and the Milky Way, and on certain lucky nights, you might even catch the Aurora Borealis. It’s also a great place to respectfully witness wildlife such as seals, eagles, and more while appreciating the rocky beach across the road.
Once you’re finished experiencing all the adventures this beautiful area has to offer, you can return to the cozy haven of your private cottage. The cottages have a rustic charm with modern conveniences like heat pumps to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. There are four cottages, and each one offers a Queen bed, free wifi, private washrooms with showers, parking, and front patios. Some cottages come with extra sleep options, such as futons or cots, for additional guests. All of the cottages are self-contained, with kitchenettes and seating areas. There are long-term rental options for people such as contractors who are working in the area, as well as group rates for those who want to rent all four cottages. There are also unique offerings, such as eggs (when available) from Trailside’s small brood of on-site chickens.
The cottages offer a peaceful oasis for those who want to escape the noise of everyday life. Since there are only four units, there are no crowds, no noise, just your cottage and the surrounding serene nature setting. It’s a postcard-picture-perfect location for couples, families, or anyone looking for a calm and relaxing getaway.
Ruth and Adam are happy to communicate with their guests beforehand to help plan potential itineraries while in Cape Breton. Guests can identify their preferred activities and their capability levels and receive customized advice on how to best allocate their time to get the most out of their Highland experience. Because more than anything, Ruth and Adam want Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures to be more than a place to stay. They want it to be a unique and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits. As Adam explains, “it’s an invitation to reconnect with nature, family, and yourself.” They’ve considered all the tiny details, so guests don’t have to. Guests can have a beautiful experience that leaves them fully rested and recharged.
Ultimately, the hope is to bolster winter tourism and help the world realize that Cape Breton’s Cabot Trail is indeed a four-season tourism destination. Trailside is putting in the work and trying to address potential concerns about winter tourism in the area. Ruth emphasizes that other businesses in the area are open year-round to cater to visitors. Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures supports other locally owned businesses and encourages visitors to do the same. For example, The Other Cupboard Emporium, which is a local grocery store, has an astounding inventory of delicious items, including pre-made meals that exhausted adventurers can heat up in the cottage. Or they may choose to stock up on s’mores materials and hot dogs to cook over a bonfire.
To achieve this goal, however, they need support. Spreading the word is one helpful way to support winter tourism in Cape Breton, but it’s certainly not the most fun way. For that, you can book your Cape Breton winter vacation today with Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures.
So come experience the natural beauty of Cape Breton Island while creating memories that will last a lifetime at Trailside Accommodations and Outdoor Adventures, where you’re just steps away from your own winter wonderland playground.
by Amanda Stellisano