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.

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.

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.

Downtown Huntsville’s Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend

Truth be told, I don’t care much for shopping, but I do know a great shopping opportunity when I see one—and there’s one coming up in just a few weeks. The businesses of Huntsville’s historic downtown district are putting on a great weekend of shopping, dining and pampering just for the ladies. It’s called the Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend and it’s taking place November 21-23.

Of course, downtown Huntsville is a pleasure to shop at any time. There are no big box, big chain stores stocked with towering stacks of the same old same old. Instead, most of downtown Huntsville’s shops are independently owned and operated, and chock full of unique items and great finds. Very often the shop owner is the person behind the counter or manning the floor, so you know you’ll get courteous service and knowledgeable help.

During the Downtown Huntsville Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend, you’ll also get great discounts and goodies. Registration for the event is free and includes a Getaway Passport giving you access to discounts, giveaways, demonstrations, activity sessions, hand & neck massages, and the chance to win a Grand Prize draw worth over $500. Donations will be accepted to help support the local hospital’s Mammogram Unit.

Over 40 businesses are participating, including:

4 Muskoka Kids; Ahimsa; Algonquin Outfitters; Aroma Dining & Drinks; Artisans of Muskoka; Big Bead; Christmas Tyme; Flotron’s Tweed & Hickory; Gone Quilting; Muskoka Country Furniture; Muskoka Jewellery Design & Gallery; Muskoski Urban Rustic Living; Northern Baking Co.; Petticoats; Plum Loco; Reflections of Muskoka; Rubber Lubbers The Stamp Emporium; Saturday Afternoons Home Store; Shine; Soapstones Soap & Skincare; Soul Sistas; That Little Place by the Lights; The Bookcase; The Cranberry Kids Gift Co.; The Finds; The Great Vine; The Nutty Chocolatier; Veranda Home & Garden Collection; Wooden Penny; Yesterday’s Book

Make a date with your mother, sister or best gal pal and get all your holiday shopping done in one whirlwind weekend where you’ll find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list—including yourself!

Here at the inn, we’re getting in the shopping spirit too. You’ll receive $25 off when you stay two nights at Fern Glen Inn during Downtown Huntsville’s Girlfriends’ Getaway Weekend. Be sure to mention discount at time of booking and we will pre-register you for your Getaway Passport.

Visit our website for availability and booking information. Happy shopping!

Soup of the Season

As the days get cooler and shorter, my big soup pot spends more time on the stove and less in the cupboard.

At this time of year, Jim and I spend as much time as we can outside. The days are brisk but not bitter, and when the sun is shining they are absolutely beautiful. We also have much work to do outdoors: gathering firewood to warm the house and the Coop through the winter, taking in the gazebo and garden furniture, cleaning up the lawn and all the sundry tasks of preparing for winter in the country.

After a busy day outside, our cheeks are rosy and our bellies are ready for filling. There is nothing like a piping hot bowl of soup to warm us from the inside out.

One of my favourite soups brings together two classic flavours of the season; and beautifully echoes the colour that is fading from the woods around us. In taste and looks, this soup is autumn in a bowl. Enjoy!

Roasted Butternut Squash & Pear Soup

Roasting the squash first accomplishes two things: it deepens and enhances the flavour of the squash; and it makes it much, much easier to peel and chop. Try tossing the peeled carrot and the peeled & cored pear in a little olive oil and roasting them along with the squash for another level of flavour.

1 medium butternut squash
olive oil
1 large yellow onion
1 medium-large carrot
1 medium-large Anjou or Bartlett pear
ground coriander seed
pinch of saffron threads, crumbled (optional)
kosher salt
white pepper
4-6 cups chicken broth, vegetable broth or water

Heat the oven to 350 - 400 F. If you already have something cooking, don't change the temperature for the squash, the squash will adapt just fine to whatever you have going on.

Leave the squash whole, but stab it in several places with a sharp knife. Place it on a baking sheet and roast it until the skin is buckled and bubbled in a few places, 30-45 minutes. Don't worry if it's not cooked all the way through; it will finish cooking in the pot. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Meanwhile, heat a large dutch oven or heavy pot over medium heat. Peel the onion and cut into small dice. Add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pot. Add the onion and a pinch of kosher salt and cook until beginning to soften and turn translucent.

Peel the carrot and slice it into 1/4" rounds. Peel, quarter and core the pear, and cut into large dice. Add the carrot and pear to the onions and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, while you peel the squash.

When the squash is cool enough to handle, peel away and discard the skin using a sharp paring knife. Cut the squash in half lengthwise and use a large spoon to remove and discard the seeds and strings. Cut the squash into large dice.

Add the diced squash, a hefty pinch each of ground coriander seed and kosher salt, and the crumbled saffron if using. Add a moderate dash of white pepper.

Continue to cook, stirring frequently until the onion is completely softened. Add enough chicken broth to cover the squash mixture. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the vegetables and pear are completely tender.

Allow the soup to cool, then transfer to a blender in small batches and blend until smooth. Add more broth if necessary to reach a smooth consistency. Transfer to a clean pot or bowl and continue until all the soup is processed. Return to heat. Add broth if desired for a thinner consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings to suit.

Serve hot. Garnish with a drizzle of heavy cream or flavoured olive oil; sprinkle with fresh herbs or sweet paprika; or top with crumbled bacon and goat cheese.

Serves 6-8 as a starter course; or 4 for lunch alongside hearty bread.

A first-rate soup is more creative than a second-rate painting.
- Abraham Maslow

The Golden Encore

You probably know to give credit to the maple trees for the spectacular reds and flaming oranges that adorn the Almaguin and Muskoka hills from early-September to mid-October. But as October winds down, the maple leaves dance down from their treetops to carpet the forest floor instead. You might think this means the end of the colour show for the season, but think again.

After the maple display ends, the tamaracks, birches and poplars take the stage and grace us with a golden encore. Their colour range is smaller--ranging from bright yellow to rich gold--but a striking sight nonetheless against the deep green of the coniferous backdrop. Even the grasses, ferns and undergrowth take on tawny and coppery hues. On a sunny day, the world around us simply glows.
Tamaracks are interesting trees. They have the conical shape and needly look of a typical evergreen tree in the summer, but in the fall their needles turn golden yellow and then shed like leaves. Tamaracks spend the winter looking like barren spikes before coming back to life in the spring in a fresh burst of green.
Thank you to our guests, Pedro & Ursula (and Ruby, pictured above), for use of these pictures. Pedro worked his usual magic behind the camera during the Thanksgiving weekend, as the maples were wrapping up their act and the tamaracks were just getting started.

Shifting Earth

Jim and I stopped in to visit artist Sally Ferguson at her studio just up the road from us. I've mentioned Shifting Earth Gallery/Studio as part of the North of Muskoka Studio Tour and it's worth mentioning again, especially at this time of year when her outdoor space is as lovely as her indoor space.

The studio gallery is housed in a beautifully restored barn. The ground floor of the barn is Sally's studio space, where we were able to witness works-in-progress. Upstairs the gallery is all gleaming wood and visually striking paintings. Sally and her husband are in the process of adding to the gallery space by building an addition on their house.

One thing visitors realize before they even make it inside the gallery is that Sally's creative spirit cannot be contained indoors. Outside the barn is a lovely garden space showcasing various forms of artwork among the flowers, fountains and plants. Sally also welcomes visitors to walk the nature trail on her property.

Be sure to include a visit to Shifting Earth Gallery/Studio on your next getaway to Fern Glen Inn.