Exploring Ontario in the Winter - Hello from Barrie: Lots of Winter Fun without Need for Mountains

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