Consider escaping to mountains, lakeside for next corporate retreat.

Nestled along the northern Ontario shoreline of Lake Superior, one of the largest, deepest and coldest fresh water lakes in the world, are hideaway resorts, legendary scenic sights and historical Canadian parks.

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Between the Nor'Wester Mountains and Lake Superior lies a scenic pastoral landscape like no other. It is home to the Mink Mountain Resort, a getaway haven for business conventions, weddings, families or couples who want to disappear from life for a while. Located on the side of Mink Mountain the resort is a 30-minute drive south from Thunder Bay.

Three rental rooms in the main lodge provide a 20-kilometre commanding view of Lake Superior.

Breathtaking doesn't even describe the atmosphere at the lodge, says resort manager Cathy Frederickson, who has been in the position for six years.

Seven of the 10 fully serviced rental cottages located on the shores are equipped with outdoor hot tubs.

"That is the main draw here--the cottages, the hot tubs and the lake," she says.

Equipped with satellite television, gas fireplaces and outdoor barbecues, some cottages are hidden from neighbors, while others are a stone's throw away.

Hiking trails are plentiful around the resort's 1,500 acres. Perched high at the top of the mountain are four lookout spots where one could see Isle Royale, Mink Island and Spar Island.

"We are the only spot on the North Shore that you look out and see something other than water," she says.

An estimated 50 per cent of the guests are local, with the remaining visitors come from the United States. The water is cold, but the brave do venture out for a swim and live to write about it in the guest book, Frederickson says.

The resort can accommodate a maximum of 50 people, with the main lodge doubling as a conference centre for corporate retreats. On site is the Eagle's Nest Bar and Grill Meeting Room, which seats approximately 50 people and can be reserved for special occasions.

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Between May 19 and Oct. 9 the lodge rooms are $120 per night and $150 on weekends. A standard two-bedroom cottage is $192 and $222 on weekends. The conference room is negotiable, depending on whether the group will have caterers.

For anyone who has visited Thunder Bay the legendary Sleeping Giant is impossible to miss. It is a peninsula jetting out of the Sibley Basin and contains over 80 kilometres of hiking trails managed by the provincial parks superintendent Al Comeau.

Within the park an old kitchen acts as a makeshift 50-person conference centre with 15 bedrooms housed under the same roof accommodating two people per room. A dining room, common area and three washrooms, one for the physically challenged, provide a cozy relaxed stay.

The Ministry of Natural Resources along with the Ontario Provincial Police hold retreats within the park facilities every year.

Five fully equipped rental cabins, each sleeping six, are also available for overnight stays.

"They are totally self contained, so all you have to bring is your food and toiletries," Comeau says.

Hiking is a main activity in the summer, since the park beholds some of the most unique views of Lake Superior.

"We have probably the highest vertical cliffs in Ontario," Comeau says.

In the winter an estimated 50 kilometres of cross-country ski trails makes this park an ideal place to visit in any season.

Wild animals, including white-tailed deer, fox, lynx and marten and a multitude of birds are part of the park's attraction. The park is on a migratory route for many of the bird species that end up on Thunder Cape, a small piece of federal land where a light house was once located. Today, migratory bird research centre staff provide hikers with information on their routes.

Prices for rental facilities within the park vary.

Lake Superior is fed by water arteries like the Kaministquia River where the Fort William Historical Park is located.

The park is a five-minute drive southwest of the Thunder Bay airport and is equipped with a first-class 500-person banquette hall called McGillivray's Landing located inside the tourist centre. Fully decorated in a voyager heritage setting the room is equipped with multimedia technology, Internet service and breakout rooms.

The Bell House and the East House are equipped to accommodate more than 100 overnight visitors varying price ranges.

The upper levels are co-ed with a division of male and female sleeping quarters. Everything else is open concept, says Marty Mascarin, the fort's communication officer.

Smaller quarters are found in the East House, which was formerly known as the hay barn. Even though the buildings possess a rustic outward appearance, both are equipped with washrooms and kitchenettes, including fridge, stove and microwave.

"This is nothing too large or grandiose a scale," Mascarin says.

It is a step up from the voyager days where those who are portaging would find overnight refuge under their canoe.

For the more adventurous souls a 30-person Learning Wigwam has been designed for group gatherings. Visitors can utilize their sleeping bags and find a spot on the floor along with 29 other overnight guests.

"This would allow people to experience Aboriginal culture," he says, and partake in other First Nation programs offered at the fort.

www.fwhp.ca

www.ontarioparks.com

www.superiornorth.com

By KELLY LOUISEIZE

Northern Ontario Business