Posted : January 31, 2017
Our blog is chock full of great ideas for fun things to see and do in York Durham and Headwaters. We are always adding new content and updating old posts, but sometimes you might stumble upon something from our vault. If this article has inspired you to hit the road, be sure to double-check that the featured stops in this post are still welcoming visitors.
Winter in Ontario can be energizing and invigorating, with the bold white landscapes and blue skies beckoning you outdoors to play. Winter activities can test your balance, endurance and strength, and with the right gear, no day is too cold for some outdoor fun. If you love outdoor adventure and plenty of snow you will never run out of things to do. Take a look at five fun winter activities to enjoy this winter in Ontario.
Photo by: Dagmar Ski Resort
Skiing and Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding locations abound in Ontario. Whether you are new to the slopes or experienced at sliding down the mountainside, there are opportunities for everyone. Uplands Ski Centre in Thornhill is an excellent choice for beginners and families with children. They offer learn to ski or snowboard programs for toddlers up to adult and have slopes with varying degrees of difficulty to test yourself as your skills grow.
Photo by: Brimacombe Ski Area
Another family-friendly resort is Brimacombe Ski Area in Orono. They feature 22 runs and trails, ranging from beginner to expert, and two terrain parks, including a beginner-oriented progression park and 6-acre main terrain park, known as the Vault. Hockley Valley Resort in Orangeville offers skiers 14 trails for downhill skiing and snowboarding, and an expanded terrain park which includes beginner terrain. The mountain is fully lit for night skiing, and ski and snowboarding lessons are available for all levels of learners.
Tobogganing
If you are looking for all day fun with the family this winter, go tobogganing. The essential part of a great sledding day is finding the perfect hill. We have done some research to uncover a few of the top sledding locations. So grab your sleds, fill up a thermos and head out for some fun! Here are a few places to coast:
- Albion Hills Conservation Area in Caledon
- Boyd Conservation Area in Vaughan
- Hy-Hope Farm in Ashburn
- Mint Leaf Park in Markham
- Dennis Park in Newmarket
- Sharon Hill Park in East Gwillimbury
- Mainprize Park in Mount Albert
Photo by: Albion Hills Conservation Area
Snow (Fat-tire) Biking
A newer entry to wintertime outdoor adventure is snow or fat-tire biking. The bikes feature oversized tires and rims as well as wide forks to accommodate the fat tires that allow for riding on unstable terrains such as snow or sand. You can experience the snowy landscape on a fat-tire bike at Albion Hills Conservation Area in Caledon. The colder the weather, the better your bike experience will be. Make sure you layer up before heading out for a pedal on the conservation area’s 6.5 kilometre Black Trail. Bring your own fat bike or rent one at the Rocky Mountain Chalet for $35 for 2 hours or $50 for the day. Safety helmets are required, and tires must be 3 inches or wider, and tire pressure must be less than 10 psi.
Photo by: Ski Lakeridge
Snowtubing
Snowtubing is growing in popularity, likely due to the fun factor, its accessibility and that there is no need for special equipment or lessons. You can fly down sculpted tube runs and laugh (or scream) as you spin and slide down the hill on a cushion of air. You can go solo or team up in a group tube. Ski Lakeridge located in Uxbridge offers snow tubing runs Friday through Sunday. Snowtubing at the ROC in Georgina is available Wednesday through Sunday with four lanes for your tubing pleasure.
Don’t hibernate this winter, get out and take advantage of the snow and enjoy an outdoor adventure skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, snow (fat tire) biking or snowtubing.
