Toronto residents love the great outdoors, whatever the time of year. In summer, you'll see people cycling, boating, and hiking; in winter, there's skating, skiing, and snowboarding.

For additional information on facilities in the parks, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, beaches, and picnic areas, call Toronto Parks and Recreation (tel. 416/392-8186; www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks).

Beaches--The Beaches is the neighborhood along Queen Street East from Coxwell Avenue to Victoria Park. It has a charming boardwalk that connects the beaches, starting at Ashbridge's Bay Park, which has a sizable marina. Woodbine Beach connects to Kew Gardens Park and is a favorite with sunbathers and volleyball players. Woodbine also boasts the Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pool. Snack bars and trinket sellers line the length of the boardwalk.

The Toronto Islands are where you'll find the city's favorite beaches. The ones on Centre Island, always the busiest, are favorites with families because of nearby attractions like Centreville. The beaches on Wards Island are much more secluded. They're connected by the loveliest boardwalk in the city, with masses of fragrant flowers and raspberry bushes along its edges. Hanlan's Point, also in the Islands, is Toronto's only nude beach.

Boating & Canoeing--At the Harbourside Boating Centre, 283 Queens Quay W. (tel. 416/203-3000), you can rent sailboats or powerboats and take sailing lessons. Depending on the boat's size, a 3-hour sailboat rental costs at least C$60 (US$42). Powerboats cost C$95 (US$67) and up. The center also offers weeklong and weekend sailing courses.

The Harbourfront Canoe and Kayak School, 283A Queens Quay W. (tel. 416/203-2277), rents kayaks for C$40 to $50 (US$28-$35) a day (higher rates apply on weekends). Canoes go for C$35 to $45 (US$25-$32). Open daily mid-June to Labour Day, weekdays only spring and fall, weather permitting.

You can also rent canoes, rowboats, and pedal boats on the Toronto Islands just south of Centreville.

Cross-Country Skiing--Just about every park in Toronto becomes potential cross-country skiing territory as soon as snow falls. Best bets are Sunnybrook Park and Ross Lord Park, both in North York. For more information, call Toronto Parks and Recreation (tel. 416/392-8186; www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks). Serious skiers interested in day trips to excellent out-of-town sites like Horseshoe Valley can call Trakkers Cross Country Ski Club (tel. 416/763-0173), which also rents equipment.

Cycling--With biking trails through most of the city's parks and more than 29km (18 miles) of street bike routes, it's not surprising that Toronto has been acclaimed as one of the best cycling cities in North America. Favorite pathways include the Martin Goodman Trail (from the Beaches to the Humber River along the waterfront); the Lower Don Valley bike trail (from the east end of the city north to Riverdale Park); High Park (with winding trails over 160 hectares/400 acres); and the Toronto Islands, where bikers roam free without fear of cars. For advice, call the Ontario Cycling Association (tel. 416/426-7416) or Toronto Parks and Recreation (tel. 416/392-8186).

Bike lanes are marked on College/Carlton streets, the Bloor Street Viaduct leading to the Danforth, Beverly/St. George streets, and Davenport Road. The Convention and Visitors Association can supply more detailed information.

There's no shortage of bike-rental options. Renting usually runs about C$12 to $24 (US$8.40-$17) a day. On Centre Island, try Toronto Island Bicycle Rental (tel. 416/203-0009). In the city, head for Wheel Excitement, 5 Rees St., near Harbourfront (tel. 416/260-9000); McBride Cycle, 180 Queens Quay W., at York Street, on the Harbourfront (tel. 416/203-5651); or High Park Cycle and Sports, 24 Ronson Dr. (tel. 416/614-6689). If you're interested in cycling with a group, call the Toronto Bicycling Network (tel. 416/766-1985) for information about daily excursions and weekend trips.

Walk/Jog/Cycle in Peace--One of the best places to walk, jog, or cycle in the city is the sprawling Mount Pleasant Cemetery. No, I'm not joking! The wide paths of the cemetery are like roads, and there's lots of space for everyone, from athletic types to parents pushing strollers. Locals love this park-like space, which abounds with trees and antique statuary, not just tombstones. It's a lively scene, and it's anything but depressing.

Fitness Centers--The Metro Central YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St. (tel. 416/975-9622), has excellent facilities, including a 25m (82 ft.) swimming pool, all kinds of cardiovascular machines, Nautilus equipment, an indoor track, squash and racquetball courts, and aerobics classes. A day pass costs C$20 (US$14). The University of Toronto Athletic Centre, 55 Harbord St., at Spadina Avenue (tel. 416/978-4680), offers similar facilities for the same price.

For yoga aficionados, there's no better place to stretch than the Yoga Studio, 344 Bloor St. W. (tel. 416/923-9366; www.yogastudio.net). A single class costs C$15 (US$11), or you can attend five classes for C$70 (US$49). Incidentally, the studio has been known to draw visiting celebrities to its classes.

Golf--Toronto is obsessed with golf, as evidenced by its more than 75 public courses within an hour's drive of downtown. Here's information on some of the best.

Don Valley, 4200 Yonge St. south of Highway 401 (tel. 416/392-2465). Designed by Howard Watson, this is a scenic par-71 course with some challenging elevated tees. The par-3 13th hole is nicknamed the Hallelujah Corner (it takes a miracle to make par). It's a good place to start your kids. Greens fees are C$45 (US$32) from Monday to Thursday, and C$49 (US$34) Friday through Sunday.

Humber Valley, 40 Beattie Ave. at Albion Road (tel. 416/392-2488). The relatively flat par-70 course is easy to walk, and gets lots of shade from towering trees. The three final holes require major concentration (the 16th and 17th are both par-5s). Greens fees are C$27 to $42 (US$19-$29).

The Tam O'Shanter, at 2481 Birchmount Ave., north of Sheppard Avenue East (tel. 416/392-2547). The par-70 course features links holes and water hazards among its challenges. Greens fees are C$27 to $43 (US$19-$30).

The Glen Abbey Golf Club, 1333 Dorval Dr., Oakville (tel. 905/844-1800; www.glenabbey.com). The championship course is one of the most famous in Canada. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the par-73 layout traditionally plays host to the Canadian Open. Greens fees are C$130 (US$91) in early spring and fall, C$235 (US$165) in summer.

Other championship courses of note include the Lionhead Golf Club in Brampton (tel. 905/455-8400). It has two 18-hole par-72 courses; greens fees are C$135 (US$95) for the tougher course, C$125 (US$88) for the easier course. In Markham, the Angus Glen Golf Club (tel. 905/887-5157) has a Doug Carrick-designed par-72 course. The greens fees range from C$120 to $175 (US$84-$123).

Travelers who are really into golf might want to consider a side trip to Muskoka. This area just 90 minutes north has some of the best golfing in the country at courses such as Taboo and the Deerhurst Highlands.

Ice Skating & In-Line Skating--Nathan Phillips Square in front of City Hall becomes a free ice rink in winter, as does an area at Harbourfront Centre. Rentals are available on-site. More than 25 parks contain artificial rinks (also free), including Grenadier Pond in High Park -- a romantic spot, with a bonfire and vendors selling roasted chestnuts. They're open from November to March.

In summer, in-line skaters pack Toronto's streets (and sidewalks). Go with the flow and rent some blades from Planet Skate, 2144 Queen St. E. (tel. 416/690-7588) or Wheel Excitement (see "Cycling," above). A 1-day rental runs C$18 to $22 (US$13-$15). Popular sites include the Beaches, Harbourfront, and the Toronto Islands.

Skate Till You Drop?--Let's say you'd like to go skating while your traveling companion wants to hit the shops. If you head to Hazelton Lanes, you can both get what you want. A central courtyard doubles as a skating rink. Better yet, the shopping center's Customer Service Centre (tel. 416/968-8600) offers complimentary skate rentals. It's hard to beat a deal like that.

Jogging--Downtown routes might include Harbourfront and along the lakefront, or through Queen's Park and the University. The Martin Goodman Trail runs 20km (12 miles) along the waterfront from the Beaches in the east to the Humber River in the west. It's ideal for jogging, walking, or cycling. It links to the Tommy Thompson Trail, which travels the parks from the lakefront along the Humber River. Near the Ontario Science Centre in the Central Don Valley, Ernest Thompson Seton Park is also good for jogging. Parking is available at the Thorncliffe Drive and Wilket Creek entrances.

These areas are generally quite safe, but you should take the same precautions you would in any large city.

Parachuting--The Parachute School of Toronto (tel. 800/361-5867; www.parachuteschool.com), is based at the Baldwin Airport, about 40 minutes north of Toronto. Going for a dive costs C$220 (US$154) during the summer (the prices drops to C$150/US$105 in winter). After morning instruction, you jump in the afternoon. Reservations aren't required, but it's essential to call ahead to make sure the school's plane is sky-bound that day. Geronimo!

Rock-Climbing--The dilemma: indoors or outdoors? Toronto has several climbing gyms, including Joe Rockhead's, 29 Fraser Ave. (tel. 416/538-7670), and the Toronto Climbing Academy, 100 Broadview Ave. (tel. 416/406-5900). You can pick up the finer points of knot tying and belaying. Both gyms also rent equipment.

For the real thing, you need to head out of town. Weekend excursions to the Elora Gorge are organized through Humber College (tel. 416/675-5097).

Snowboarding & Skiing--The snowboard craze shows no sign of abating, at least from January to March (or anytime there's enough snow on the ground). One popular site is the Earl Bales Park, Bathurst Street (just south of Sheppard Ave.), which offers rentals. The park also has an alpine ski centre, which offers both equipment rentals and coaching. Call Toronto Parks and Recreation (tel. 416/392-8186) for more information.

Swimming--The municipal parks, including High and Rosedale parks, offer a dozen or so outdoor pools (open June-Sept). Several community recreation centers have indoor pools. For pool information, call tel. 416/392-7838.

Visitors may buy a day pass (C$20/US$14) and use the pools at the YMCA, 20 Grosvenor St. (tel. 416/975-9622), and the University of Toronto Athletic Centre, 55 Harbord St., at Spadina Avenue (tel. 416/978-4680).

Tennis--More than 30 municipal parks have free tennis facilities. The most convenient are the courts in High, Rosedale, and Jonathan Ashridge parks. They are open in summer only. At Eglinton Flats Park, west of Keele Street at Eglinton Avenue, six of the courts can be used in winter. Call City Parks (tel. 416/392-8186) for additional information.