Winter Adventures in Muskoka

Winter is coming!  We have had our first days of snow here in Southwestern Ontario.  Some of you may be grumbling about that, but winter is such an exciting and fun time up north!  Cottage country has so much to offer no matter the season.  Winter is a perfect time to getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life - to unwind in a cozy cottage and enjoy some relaxation fire side. Or if staying active is more your thing, there are tons of adventures to be had!

Some favourite winter activities in the area to experience are:

Skating the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail
This 1.3 km skating trail located in Arrowhead Provincial Park is one of the most popular attractions.  It winds through a beautiful forest providing a magical experience - and it’s only minutes away from Downtown Huntsville!

• The season is subject to weather conditions but typically begins the first week of January
• Opens at 11 am daily, 7 days a week
• Skate rentals are available for $10
• Saturdays can be extremely busy - try to plan your visit for Sundays or, ideally, midweek
• Admission is $20 per vehicle Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, $17 per vehicle Monday to Friday

Dog sledding at North Ridge Ranch 
A team of 60 Alaskan Huskies are waiting to take you on an unforgettable sledding adventure through the forests of Muskoka! 

• The Ranch offers Half Day tours (20 km) or 1 Hour tours (10 km). 
• Suitable for children as long as they are accompanied by an adult (and can tolerate sitting in a sled for the entire duration of the tour)
• Tours begin with a thorough lesson so that you are comfortable with your abilities to mush your own team
• Prices start at $125 per person with discounts for children

Downhill Skiing at Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is located in the heart of Muskoka. This hidden gem offers 14 groomed trails, three quad chairlifts, one handle tow, night skiing and a terrain park. 

• Lift rates start at $36 for kids over the age of 6 and $50 for adults
• Kids 5 and under are only $12 when accompanying a paying adult

Craft Brewery Tours

Some of the best craft beers in Canada are brewed in Muskoka!  Head out to the local breweries for a guided tour and tastings!

• Visit cottagecountrybeertrail.ca for helpful information as breweries have different hours for tours, with some requiring advanced booking
• Consider a trip with BrewTours.ca.  They do the entire tour experience, including driving, from Toronto to cottage country!

I hope I've given you some ideas to make the winter more fun and bearable! I don't know about you, but these are all on my bucket list for sure. Bring on winter! Hope you all stay safe and warm :)

Nina

Serenity Vacation Rentals

The 5 best things about a winter stay at the cottage.

Winter can be an amazing time of year to stay at the cottage!   Here are 5 of the best things about a winter stay at the cottage!

1. Reading a book by the fireplace.   There is nothing better than sitting by a warm fire while avoiding the cold outside.  Imagine holding your hot chocolate while your socked feet are held close to the wood burning fire.   You can smell the wood burning while you quietly read your favorite book.   The quiet and peacefulness that comes with winter stays at the cottage are just what the sole needs after a stressful work schedule.
2. Winter fun activities!   Try your hand at building a snowman with the kids or go tobogganing at a nearby hill.  Rent snowmobiles for the day and hit the trails with good friends.   Rent ski’s or snowshoes and try some of the local trails.  Or if the ice is thick enough, how about some lake ice hockey or ice fishing!
3. Trying new recipes.   Now is your chance to try that soup recipe or perhaps you’ve been
   
   excited to make a new stew or chili.  Winter time at the cottage is perfect for home cooking with family and friends, and your chance to try some winter favourites.
4. Watching a movie with a warm blanket.   Whether your pick is a late night horror movie, or a daytime seasonal Christmas special that brings a joyful tear to your eye, with the dark nights getting longer, it is the perfect chance to catch up on your favourite movies or tv shows after a day of winter activities with your family.
5. Connecting with friends – What better way to beat the winter blues than to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and reconnect with friends or family at the cottage.   Getting tired of the same driveway shoveling, work, and winter traffic in the city?   Get out of the city and into the country for some rest and relaxation as well as the peace and quiet that comes with winter stays at the cottage.