With a week off, and a bite from the travel bug after being stuck indoors due to blah weather, I was ready to get in the truck and road trip it to anywhere. Huntsville, Ontario, was an easy choice given its close proximity to Toronto and the variety of outdoorsy things to do there during the winter. While researching the area, my boyfriend Casey and I learned that there were so many different things to do at a variety of cost levels up north.
Our research came up with a whole bunch of options, many of which were fairly expensive. With fuel, hotel, dining out and excursions for two people over a 4-day time span, costs seemed to vary extensively. So we decided to offer this short and sweet guide of fun winter activities to do in the Huntsville area and beyond to help you plan your next trip. Many of these types of activities are located in areas across Canada, so make sure you do your research in advance!
Accommodations
The Best Western Muskoka was our first choice for accommodations for several reasons. Firstly, their full hot breakfast each morning provided us with the fuel we needed to get our day started right. Secondly, our room had a fridge, microwave and coffee maker so we were able to purchase some snacks and sandwich supplies from a nearby store. While out snowshoeing in the backcountry of Algonquin Provincial Park, there sure aren’t any restaurants, so sandwiches were a huge bonus! Thirdly, we booked a King Suite room to give us ample space for our winter gear, and it also came with a Jacuzzi tub where we could soothe sore muscles after a long day of snowmobile riding. The hotel had everything we needed for an affordable rate; it quickly became our home away from home.
Snowmobiling
Whether you want to trailer your own snowmobiles or rent a pair to go riding for an afternoon, there are plenty of options in Muskoka and Ontario to suit your needs. In the past, I’ve connected with the experienced and knowledgeable folks at Back Country Tours, who offer snowmobile and ATV rentals at several locations in Northern Ontario, including in Muskoka (just 20 minutes from the Best Western Muskoka) and Haliburton.
The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) offers resources for snowmobilers, including trail passes, safety information, and trail maps/status, so I always encourage riders to check the OFSC website before riding. There are also a number of Best Western® Hotels & Resorts locations near trails across Ontario and Canada, so if you want to stay and play, you might want to start your planning now!
Snowshoeing
Visitors can rent snowshoes at several different places throughout Huntsville, including at the Provincial Parks. We decided to check out Algonquin Outfitters, where we rented snowshoes for a half day (three hours) for $15 each. They have several locations in Huntsville, making it easy to rent and return equipment, but make sure you call ahead to ensure they have snowshoes available. We drove to nearby Algonquin Provincial Park (located 30 km from Huntsville) where we purchased a vehicle pass for $17, grabbed a map, and took a scenic drive through the park before stopping at Two Rivers, which was one of the marked snowshoe trails. Being the savvy travellers we are, a sandwich break was all we needed to replenish our energy and continue to the next snowshoe area.
Cross-Country Skiing
I grew up snowboarding, so skiing hasn’t been a comfortable winter activity for me. I decided to step outside of my comfort zone by renting cross-country skis and was I ever surprised. We decided to bypass the easy trails and hit the intermediate trails at Arrowhead Provincial Park, which was fun but a bit of a challenge. Feeling like a fish out of water, I quickly learned how to coordinate my skis and poles while skiing down some small hills along Arrowhead Lake. The activity was more strenuous than snowshoeing, but we got a few chuckles out of the day and felt triumphant after conquering the 5km loop.
Ice Skating
Visitors can check out the 1.3 km ice skating trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park which winds through beautiful snow covered trees and thick forest. Admission costs $17 (weekdays) or $20 (weekends) per vehicle, plus $10 for skate rentals, which totals max $30 per person.
If you are up for a drive (60 km / 1 hour) from Huntsville, you can also check out the Ice Trail at Johnson’s Cranberry Marsh. The trail is a 1.2km loop around 12 acres of cranberries, with stops at a waterfall and a Light the Night (evening skating) available every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Skaters can warm up by fire, and enjoy hot mulled wine or hot cran-apple cider at Muskoka Lakes Winery. Make sure you check the website before leaving to ensure the ice skating trail is open!
This trip, we enjoyed a laid back getaway that was full of fun things to do. Staying at the Best Western Muskoka offered us a central location to set up our temporary home away from home. In addition, it is located close to snowmobile trails, great sightseeing, shops and other fun activities. To find a Best Western near you, and near some of the fun things you might enjoy, visit bestwestern.com