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!
Monday, January 19
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.
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.
Sunday, January 4
Winter in the Country
Another new year has snuck up on us and we're off to a beautiful start!
Winter arrived early this season, and with much gusto, which means that January arrived wearing a beautiful mantle of deep, soft snow. If your only experience with winter is the salty slush and drab greyness of a city winter, then you're in for a real treat once you head out of town to sample winter in the country. In fact, I like to say that winter in the city and winter in the country are so vastly different, they shouldn't even qualify as the same season!
A sunny winter day here means pristine snow that sparkles like diamond dust and stunningly blue skies above deep green conifer spires. On a clear night, the sky is dark by mid-evening, except for the bright stars and perhaps the moon.
Winter arrived early this season, and with much gusto, which means that January arrived wearing a beautiful mantle of deep, soft snow. If your only experience with winter is the salty slush and drab greyness of a city winter, then you're in for a real treat once you head out of town to sample winter in the country. In fact, I like to say that winter in the city and winter in the country are so vastly different, they shouldn't even qualify as the same season!
A sunny winter day here means pristine snow that sparkles like diamond dust and stunningly blue skies above deep green conifer spires. On a clear night, the sky is dark by mid-evening, except for the bright stars and perhaps the moon.We also love the still, snowy days, when flakes as large as apple blossoms drift leisurely down from the sky. They coat every surface, soften every sharp angle into a graceful slope.
Of course, when you tire of simply watching the snow, it's great fun to play in! There are many winter activities to enjoy in the area... snowshoeing, tobogganing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snow tubing, skating and sleigh riding just to get started. Watch this space or visit our website packages page for details about these and other winter getaway activities in Muskoka and the Almaguin Highlands.
Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
- Bill Morgan, Jr.
Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children once again.
- Bill Morgan, Jr.
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