Maple Sugar Bush Farm

It’s that time of year in Canada! Maple season. What could possibly be more Canadian than visiting a Maple Sugar Bush farm?

Elmhurst Outdoors

Elmhurst Outdoors

We visited the Maple farm at Elmhurst Outdoors in New Brunswick.

They are currently offering tours through their maple sugar Bush farm, sugar on the snow (a Canadian maple tradition) along with a pancake breakfast for an admission fee of $25.

Elmhurst Outdoors

We recommend you book a time slot on their website ahead of time as they have limited capacity due to COVID restrictions. Every Tuesday, tickets open up online at elmhurstoutdoors.com for the slots on the following weekends.

Bucket collecting sap

Interpretive Tour

Our time slot was at 10 am, so our tour began promptly at ten. Masks were recommended even though we were outdoors, due to being in close proximity with other guests. But where it’s still chilly here in Canada, it’s much more comfortable to wear one outdoors.

Tapped Tree (practice tree, not maple)

The tour was 45 minutes long and was extremely informative! We learned about the history of maple farms, starting with how the Native Americans and pioneers used to create sugar.

Interpretive Tour at Elmhurst Outdoors

The tour also shows us all of the different ways they have tapped trees, and how they now tap trees with either an electric drill or through tubes tapped into the trees. We wrapped up the tour in the evaporator room, where they evaporate water from the the sugar to create what we know as syrup!

Evaporator Room

Sugar on the Snow

After the tour we were able to have our “sugar on the snow” except in a more COVID friendly way than usual. Before the pandemic, they would pour hot syrup out over the snow and roll it up on a popsicle stick for you to eat. But luckily we can still enjoy this maple tradition, just in a more COVID friendly way.

We each received an individual serving of “snow” in a cup with hot maple sugar poured over it with a stick for us to still enjoy. And it was just as delicious as always!

Individual portion of “sugar on the snow”

Pancake Breakfast

One hour after our tour we went back to the lodge for our pancake breakfast that was included with our admission. We received two pancakes, maple syrup, one degenhardt sausage, Gig’s baked beans and either tea, coffee or apple juice. You can purchase extra if you wish.

Breakfast was hot and delicious and extremely fast!

Pancake Breakfast at Elmhurst Outdoors

COVID Regulations

As everywhere else, Elmhurst Outdoors is following provincial COVID guidelines. During the tour they requested we wear masks, due to being close to other guests.

In the evaporator room we were split up into small groups so that we were only with our provincial “COVID bubbles”. They also had the room all sectioned out for COVID.

Inside the lodge, all tables were separated and even had barriers between a guests.

Overall, we felt very safe the whole time. Most of the tour was outside, but remember to do what makes you comfortable and remember to always follow the guidelines as these are what allows these great businesses to remain open.

Conclusion

We had an absolutely lovely time at Elmhurst Outdoors and would not hesitate to go back! They were extremely friendly, and the tour was really interesting and a lot of fun!

Elmhurst Outdoors also offers rentals for snowshoeing and cross country skiing if you are looking for other fun winter activities!

Check out their website http://www.elmhurstoutdoors.com for more details.

Check out our YouTube channel HERE for more!

Let us know in the comments below where we should check out next!