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Winter Activity Bucket List - Ontario's Cottage Country

Source: yorkdurhamheadwaters.ca

There are plenty of outstanding, snowy, winter landscapes to enjoy in Ontario’s cottage country this winter and if you’ve never taken advantage of the many outdoor activities that the province offers, you’ve been missing out.

From Georgian Bay and Muskoka/Parry Sound through Haliburton and the Kawarthas, there are opportunities to get outside and participate in an endeavour that you perhaps have never enjoyed before – from dog sledding to snowmobiling and ice fishing to skiing and snowshoeing.
Here are some of the great destinations to experience some wonderful winter experiences.

 

Dog Sledding:

Source: cottagerental.com 

For a fun and exhilarating experience, there is nothing that compares to the family-friendly activity of dog sledding. Before there were snowmobiles, there were dog sleds. Stunning landscapes and dogs bred with the instinct to pull with passion and strength. Meet the team of Siberian Huskies in Haliburton or view Muskoka and Algonquin Park regions with the experts.
Here is a sample of the outfitters in cottage country.

Haliburton Forest Dogsledding (Haliburton Highlands) 
North Ridge Ranch (Hunstville) 
Wilderness Adventures (Algonquin Provincial Park) 
Winterdance Dogsled Tours (Haliburton) 

 

Snowmobiling:

Source: ofsc.on.ca/ 

Ontario offers over 30,000 km (18,641 mi.) of interconnected, uncongested trails, one of the longest network of recreational trails in the world. Those of us who do not own property in cottage country are less likely to own a snowmobile but that doesn’t restrict our opportunity to enjoy this very popular winter activity.

There are many snowmobile rental and tour providers in the province. Here are a few worth contacting to get this bucket list item covered.

Back Country Tours – Snowmobile Rentals and Tours (Muskoka and Haliburton)
HSR Skidoo Snowmobile Rentals (Haliburton/Muskoka)
Kawartha Adventure Rentals
Muskoka Recreation
For more information about snowmobiling in Ontario, head to the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC)

 

Ice Fishing

Source: northeasternontario.com/ice-fishing-stocked-brook-trout/ 

No, the fishing season doesn’t end with the freeze up on our Ontario lakes. Ice fishing for walleye, trout, pike and perch continues throughout much of the winter season as ice conditions allow. Outfitters can provide everything you need to enjoy this satisfying winter sport.

Helicopter ice fishing. This may be the ultimate in an all inclusive, fully guided ice fishing experience, located in eastern Ontario.
Muskoka Recreation (Muskoka) Lake Rosseau & Joseph
Casey’s Fish Huts (Lake Simcoe)

 

Cross Country Skiing/Snowshoeing

Source: yoursoutdoors.ca

Prefer something that requires a little more effort and offers solitude and quiet? Cross country skiing could be what you need. Burn off some of those holiday calories and stay on your fitness targets with a serene trip through beautiful landscapes.

Yours Outdoors ‘Ski Like a Canadian’  Yours Outdoors ‘Snowshoe Like a Canadian’ Outdoor experience provider in the Haliburton area.

The Muskoka area provides some of the best, most extensive, groomed, cross country ski trails in the province. Visit Discover Muskoka for more information. 

No matter what your preference, each of these winter activities represents a perfect excuse to get out of the house, enjoy the fresh winter air and experience what our beautiful province has to offer. Winter can be great. Enjoy it this winter.