Winter Activities in Muskoka and Almaguin

Winter just might be the most playful season of all. There is so much to do, especially once you get out of the city, get bundled up, and head outside. I've put together a list of some of the popular winter activities in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands to get you started planning your perfect winter getaway.

Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Skating and Tubing
Arrowhead Provincial Park
Hwy 11, just north of Huntsville
Cross-country ski trails groomed for both skate-ski and classic style; snowshoe trails; toboggan hill with free inner tubes available to use; and even an ice skating trail through the forest! A favourite winter hike is the short trail to Stubb's Falls.
Ski, skate and snowshoe rentals available at reasonable rates.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
Hidden Valley Ski Hill
Hwy 60, just east of Huntsville
Downhill skiing and snowboarding in the heart of Muskoka.

Cross-country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Dog sledding, Winter Hiking
Algonquin Park
Hwy 60, east of HuntsvilleMany day trails along the Hwy 60 corridor are open for hiking or snowshoeing; plus there are three cross-country ski trails with loops ranging from 5km to 24km. Ski and snowshoe rentals are available at local outfitters. The visitor centre (including interpretive displays, bookstore and restaurant) is open weekends throughout the winter, and daily during the school break season March 7-22. The park office is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Shopping & Dining
Huntsville; from Hwy 11 take exit #219 or #221 and follow signs
Browse the shops, boutiques and galleries of Huntsville's historic down town. Savour a meal or sample some sweets from a variety of restaurants, cafés and bakeries.

Snowshoeing, Tobogganing, Snow angel making, Getting toasty by the fire
Fern Glen Inn
Fern Glen Rd, west of Hwy 11, north of Huntsville
You don't even have to leave the inn to enjoy the peace and quiet of a winter wonderland forest, or the sheer fun of playing in the snow. We'll fuel your day with an abundant, healthful breakfast before you hit the trails or slope. 

Complimentary snowshoes are available for guests to use on our private trails that wind through our 120-acre property. There are toboggans for the hill, bird seed to hand-fee the chickadees, and a real wood-burning stove to warm up by in the rustic cabin lounge. Of course, it's up to you to bring a sense of adventure and a hearty appetite!

Winter Events in Muskoka and Almaguin

As a four-season destination, there are plenty of events happening in and around Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands throughout the winter.

Here's a list of some of the organized events open to the public. Check back regularly as I'll add more events as I hear about them.

Canadian National Pond Hockey Championships
Huntsville
With 24 outdoor rinks on the frozen water of Peninsula Lake, the 4th annual pond hockey tournament is billed as the world's largest pond hockey event. It takes place over two weekends so there's plenty of action for every die-hard hockey fan.
Jan 23-25 & Jan 30 - Feb 1

Almaguin Cup
Burk's Falls
Watch snowmobiles zoom around a track at breakneck speed at the 3rd Annual Almaguin Cup snowmobile race. The legion will be hosting dinners each night. The cost is $20 per day, or $30 for a weekend pass.
Feb 7 & 8

Skate Night
Novar
Free skating at the Novar outdoor ice rink, hosted by the Perry Township Parks and Recreation Department. There will be hot chocolate and music. Bring your own skates.
Feb 7

Skate Night
Emsdale
Free skating at the Emsdale outdoor ice rink, hosted by the Perry Township Parks and Recreation Department. There will be hot chocolate and music. Bring your own skates.
Feb 21

Winter Fun Day
Oxtongue Lake
The 15th annual Winter Fun Day is hosted by Algonquin Outfitters at their Oxtongue Lake location. This free, family-oriented event is designed to introduce people to self-propelled (or at least non-motorized) winter activities like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, skate skiing, kick-sledding, winter camping, ice-climbing and dog sledding, as well as provide a host of opportunities to have fun in the snow.
Feb 21

Dwight Winter Carnival
Dwight
The 39th annual Dwight Winter Carnival is a weekend-long event celebrating the snowy season. Located in the town of Dwight, on Hwy 60 between Huntsville and Algonquin Park. Admission is just $3/person.
Feb 26-28

Of course, we hope you include a stay at the Fern Glen Inn B&B as part of your getaway to Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands. We'll be happy to help you make plans to enjoy these and other events in the region. Just give us a call, send us an email or visit our website.

Swimming in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands

The swimming season here in Ontario's Cottage Country is short, but oh so sweet. There is nothing like the feel of cool, clear lake water enveloping you on a hot summer afternoon, with a view of green hills rising up from the shore around you to meet a big blue sky above. Nothing else says 'vacation' quite so eloquently.

July and August are peak swimming months, but depending on the weather, it can start as early as mid-June and go on into September. Jim has even been known to jump in for a dip in October!

Guests who are new to the area always ask "is there anywhere to swim?" and are pleasantly surprised by the number and variety of options. Within a short drive, we have sandy beaches, smooth rocky dropoffs, deep steady rivers, and rushing rapids. We provide guests of the inn with directions and a map, and we're always happy to recommend our favourite spots. Here are just a few:

Long Lake
A quiet lake just 6 1/2 km from the inn, Jim and I swim here often. Similar to an Algonquin interior campsite, with shady trees and natural rock steps and ledges. There is no beach or slowly sloping entry here; instead the land drops off abruptly into the lake. Either you're in or your out. This is good for getting me in the water quickly (instead of slowly inching my way in) and we love the short drive through the woods to get there. Floating dock for jumping and diving.

Birch Beach
Sunny, wide, sandy beach at the south end of Doe Lake, between Sprucedale and Emsdale. Shallow, gradual entry, then swim out as far as you like. Sunny lawns and shady birch trees make this a great beach for lounging even if you don't feel like swimming. This is a large lake with motor boats; floating dock.

Clear Lake
Small sandy beach with warm shallow water. The beach is tucked in between cottages and motor boats and jet skis are on the lake, making you feel just like you're at a cottage. Grassy slope for sunbathing.

Brook's Falls
A lovely waterfall to visit at any time of year, Brook's Falls on the Magnetawan River is also a great swimming spot in the heat of summer. Splash in the rapids just below the falls, sit and soak in natural whirlpools, or swim in the deeper water downstream. More about Brook's Falls here.

Katrine Beach
Large sandy, shallow beach on a big lake. Popular with families. Playground, bbq stands, not much shade.

Magnetawan River Rapids
Unofficial and unmaintained as a swimming spot, but regularly enjoyed by local residents. Sit in on smooth bare rock in the rapids above a waterfall, or splash around in the river below the falls.

Arrowhead Lake and Stubbs Falls
With two lakes and the Big East River running through it, Arrowhead Provincial Park is a great place to spend a summer day. Swim at the beach or sun bath on the flat rocks by the falls. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available at the park.

Ilfracomb Beach
Sandy beach in a pretty little hamlet. Jim and I just discovered the spot in the spring and haven't tried the water there yet. It looks like a sandy, shallow entrance into a beautiful clear lake.

Hutcheson Beach
Large, popular sandy beach on Lake Vernon on the west side of Huntsville. Playground, change rooms.

As always when water is involved, use caution and common sense. Enjoy the many water features of Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands, but do so at your own risk.