| Our winter getaway over the last two | | | | the Ontario Outdoor |
| days was supposed to include a couple of | | | | website.Snowmobiling: |
| different activities: snow-tubing and | | | | Ontario offers more than 43,000 km |
| outdoor skating. Well, our outdoor | | | | (26,000 mi.) of maintained, |
| skating fell through, due to the | | | | interconnected, uncongested trails. It |
| extraordinarily warm conditions, | | | | is the longest network of recreational |
| however, we had a beautiful day | | | | trails in the world. The 248 member |
| yesterday on Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie, | | | | clubs of the Ontario Federation of |
| where we enjoyed some great outdoor time | | | | Snowmobile Clubs build and maintain this |
| on frozen Lake Simcoe.Today, after our | | | | extensive trail network. Find more |
| delicious filling breakfast at Nicholyn | | | | information about snowmobiling in |
| Farms Bed and Breakfast, we headed off | | | | Ontario in the Ontario Snowmobiler |
| for another adventure: snowtubing at | | | | Magazine.Iceclimbing: |
| Horseshoe Valley. Unfortunately the | | | | The north of Ontario is the heart of |
| weather today was even less cooperative: | | | | Ontario's iceclimbing country and |
| as the day progressed it went from | | | | features ice-clad routes with heights of |
| freezing rain to rain to a veritable | | | | more than 90 m. Special ice-climbing |
| downpour as we drove back to | | | | getaways are featured on the Ontario |
| Toronto.Nevertheless the morning was | | | | Outdoor Website.Dogsledding: |
| cold enough for our snowtubing | | | | Dog sledding has evolved from a |
| adventure. My 8-year old nephew had | | | | utilitarian form of transport in |
| never been snowtubing before, and | | | | northern countries to a unique travel |
| knowing his penchant for high-speed | | | | experience. Some dogsledding operators |
| adrenaline-filled activities, we knew | | | | have a guide drive the team, where at |
| that he would fall in love with this | | | | other places you may drive the sled |
| sport.Horseshoe Valley is one of several | | | | yourself. The Ontario Outdoor Website |
| Ontario winter resorts and in addition | | | | features a variety of dog sledding |
| to downhill skiing, cross-country skiing | | | | adventures and getaways.Urban Winter |
| and skating, it also features a | | | | Getaways: |
| snow-tubing hill. It's a thrill to get | | | | For those who want to enjoy the best |
| pulled up on the hill, sitting on a | | | | that Ontario's cities have to offer over |
| refunctioned inner tube, and then | | | | the winter time, there are a variety of |
| getting linked up in a group of 2, 3 or | | | | special events going on. Many cities and |
| 4 snow-tubers, who hold on to their | | | | towns throughout Ontario feature special |
| neighbouring tuber's handle and then get | | | | winter festivals, starting with many |
| pushed down the hill by one of the staff | | | | festivals of light, tree lighting |
| members - with a spin and a momentum | | | | ceremonies and New Year's celebrations |
| that feels almost like a roller | | | | in November and December, and continuing |
| coaster!Snowtubing is just one of the | | | | with a variety of special events, trade |
| many fun winter activities that Ontario | | | | fairs and restaurant promotions |
| has to offer. | | | | throughout January and February. The |
| Snow Valley Resort just on the other | | | | Success with Ontario website features a |
| side of Highway 400 also offers | | | | listing of Ontario's Festivals and |
| snowtubing. | | | | events.Major festivals include: |
| Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood is | | | | Toronto's WinterCity Festival and |
| another place for Ontario snowtubing | | | | Winterlicious |
| enthusiasts.Skating: | | | | Ottawa's Winterlude Winter Festival |
| Obviously hockey is Canada's national | | | | Niagara's Icewine FestivalOntario |
| sport and skating runs in the veins of | | | | Accommodation Choices: |
| many residents of this northern country. | | | | Ontario offers a wide variety of |
| Virtually all Ontario cities, towns and | | | | choices for getaways. From all-inclusive |
| villages have outdoor skating rinks and | | | | feature-packed resorts, to down-to-earth |
| indoor arenas. Outdoor skating is free | | | | farm vacations, to cozy bed and |
| in many cases, and indoor pleasure | | | | breafasts, secluded cottages and chalets |
| skating is generally a very inexpensive | | | | and inviting country inns, Ontario has a |
| sport.One of the best known skating | | | | wide selection of accommodation |
| Ontario opportunities exists in Ottawa, | | | | providers. Unique boutique hotels, and |
| on the 7.8 km long Rideau Canal, the | | | | centrally located urban hotels round out |
| world's longest skating rink according | | | | the accommodation offers. Ontario |
| to the Guiness Book of Records. The City | | | | Travel's website offers a great overview |
| of Ottawa lists its public skating | | | | of the accommodation choices available |
| information on the Internet.Toronto's | | | | in Ontario.There is plenty to do in the |
| well-known outdoor skating venues | | | | winter in Ontario, indoors and out. |
| include City Hall, Harbourfront and | | | | Nature lovers, urban explorers, |
| Grenadier Pond in HIgh Park and the City | | | | adrenaline junkies, and romantic |
| of Toronto provides a list of leisure | | | | lovebirds will all find something to |
| skating opportunities in Toronto.Skiing | | | | choose from to brighten up those cold |
| & snowboarding: | | | | winter days.Susanne Pacher is the |
| Although Ontario certainly doesn't have | | | | publisher of a website called Travel and |
| the greatest vertical drop compared to | | | | Transitions ( Travel and Transitions |
| international ski resorts, but it does | | | | deals with unconventional travel and is |
| offer 41 resorts for downhill skiers and | | | | chock full of advice, tips, real life |
| snowboarders at the Ski Ontario | | | | travel experiences, interviews with |
| website.Cross-country skiing & | | | | travellers and travel experts, insights |
| snowshoeing: | | | | and reflections, cross-cultural issues, |
| Ontario's more than 120 cross-country | | | | contests and many other features. You |
| ski areas are rivalled only by Quebec | | | | will also find stories about life and |
| for sheer number and variety. Ski areas | | | | the transitions that we face as we go |
| are operated by various organizations | | | | through our own personal life-long |
| ranging from parks to clubs and resorts. | | | | journeys.Submit your own travel stories |
| The Ski Ontario website provides an | | | | in our first travel story contest ( and |
| extensive listing of cross-country | | | | have a chance to win an amazing |
| opportunities across Ontario. | | | | adventure cruise on the Amazon |
| Special offers for snowshoeing and | | | | River."Life is a Journey Explore New |
| cross-country getaways are featured on | | | | Horizons". |