THE BEST THINGS YOU CAN DO IN WINTER IN ONTARIO
I plan our winter trips for the next few weeks as the snow blankets our yard and the pond freezes. The season leading up to Christmas is my favorite. Christmas lights are everywhere, and people are rushing to get outside to enjoy the festivities. We love the snow as adults! We may not have the Rocky Mountains in Alberta or the iconic ski resorts in British Columbia, but we know how to make the most out of the great outdoors.
Check out our list for the best things to do in Ontario winter to find something new to do this weekend.
Winter In Ontario, Canada
Ski Blue Mountain or Snowboard
Our favorite Ontario winter destination is Blue Mountain, Collingwood. Blue Mountain has been our favorite winter destination for over a decade. We had seasons pass when we lived in Barrie, and we went snowboarding at every opportunity. Blue Mountain, Ontario’s top ski resort, has 365 acres of terrain. There are three terrain parks, meadows, and some fun and steep black diamond run. It’s not bad for Ontario standards at 220 meters.
Enjoy a day on the ski slopes, then relax in the Blue Mountain Village at night. There are many restaurants, shops, cafes, and festivals and events during winter. We love staying in Mosaic Boutique Suites to take advantage of their outdoor hot tub, sauna and year-round swimming pool, right in the middle of Blue Mountain Village.
Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain
Make sure to visit the Scandinave Spa when you’re in Blue Mountain. This tranquil oasis in the woods is ideal for relaxing after a hard day on the trails. Nothing is better than relaxing in giant hot tubs while the snow falls. It offers hydrotherapy circuits and outdoor fireplaces. Muskoka chairs can be viewed from the Muskoka Chairs overlooking the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve Niagara Escarpment.
Skate the Rideau Canal
This is a must-see for anyone who visits Canada in winter. It is found right here in Ontario. The Rideau Canal, the largest skating rink in the world, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Rideau Canal waterway transforms into a skating rink when the temperature drops below zero.
Stay at The Westin Ottawa. It is right in the middle of Ottawa, directly across from Rideau Skateway. For 7.8 km, the Rideau Canal Skateway runs through Ottawa. You can find warming stations along the route selling hot chocolate, maple syrup, and Beavertails.
Winterlude
Winterlude is the best time to go skating on the Rideau Canal. Winterlude, a three-week-long winter festival, takes place in Ottawa. The capital of Canada comes alive with festive lights and entertainment, ice sculpture competitions and nightly entertainment. For Winterlude, we recommend staying at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. It’s truly magical.
The winter park, located across the Gatineau Quebec river, is in full swing, offering snow tubing, zip-lining, and giant works of ice art. Don’t miss the dragon boat races at Dows Lake.
Dogsledding
Winterdance in Haliburton is a great place to go dogsledding in Ontario. Hank DeBruin, a Yukon Quest and Iditarod finisher, is accompanied by his all-husky team. He is Canada’s, Lance Mackey. Tanya, his wife, runs Winterdance with love for their dogs and shows respect.
The entire family runs the operation, with their sons also involved. We have done a few dogsled tours with them, and they offer half-day or full-day trips into the wilderness of Ontario. They also offer a week-long stay in a cozy cottage. Visit their website to view rates and information about lodging.
Skate the Ice Trail in Arrowhead Provincial Park
You can also go skating outdoors on the Arrowhead Provincial Park Ice Trail if you cannot make it to Ottawa. The Muskoka Forest is the route for the 1.3km long ice trail. The best thing about the Muskoka Ice trail is that you can enjoy outdoor activities in Arrowhead. Arrowhead also offers cross-country skiing and snow tubing. Stay at Cedar Lodge if you’re looking for a romantic getaway or at Deerhurst Resort if you want to enjoy a fun resort atmosphere for all ages.
Snow tubing
Snowtubing: Snow Valley, Barrie, Ontario, is our favorite spot. There are 14 snow tubing chutes, which are fast and furious. You can stand on the magic carpet and then hop on the tube to let gravity do all the work. Snow tubing is, as we joke, the ultimate couch potato thrill ride.
There are many places to snow tub in Ontario. Horseshoe Resort is the longest tube hill in Ontario. Boler Mountain, London, has a snow tubing park. As a child, I used to ski at Chicopee Ski Hill in Kitchener and Tub Park in Kitchener. Blue Mountain also has a snow tubing park.