Hoser: A foolish or uncultivated person | Oxford Dictionary
“Ahhh! Take off, you hoser!” | Doug McKenzie, Strange Brew (1983)
Hoser. It’s a quintessentially Canadian slang word—as Canadian as the McKenzie brothers who popularized it on SCTV in the 1980s. Thought to originate from the days before the Zamboni, where the losing hockey team would literally have to hose down the rink while the winning team got to go home, today the word is embraced by Canadians as part of our rough-around-the-edges, heart-of-gold identity.
We may have grown a little more sophisticated on the world stage when it comes to healthy living since then, but we still have more than a touch of that lovable grit in us. That’s why, this winter, we at York Durham Headwaters invite you to don your Canadian Tuxedo and try the hoser’s approach to health with our (tongue-in-cheek) guide to True North Wellness!
Strengthen your lungs with a little “scream therapy”
“Just as “hoser” is a quintessentially Canadian word, the Oshawa Generals are a quintessentially Oshawa hockey team. Or is that Osha…wanian? With Gens alumni including NHL greats like Eric Lindros, Bobby Orr, and Terry O’Reilly, as well as recent stars like John Tavares and Anthony Cirelli, the whole city of Oshawa rallies behind its team at the Tribute Communities Centre in the heart of the city’s historic downtown.
Cheering for the beloved Oshawa Generals is more than just a spirited tradition—it’s a chance to engage in a little wellness for the soul. Let loose and release pent-up energy as you holler and cheer, tapping into the therapeutic benefits of scream therapy. Shouting your heart out can be a great way to reduce stress, lift your mood, and feel connected to the collective energy of the crowd. Exercise your lungs, embrace the moment, and let that roar of excitement be your own mini wellness session. Pick up some merch to celebrate your membership in Gens Nation, and for an extra dose of cardio, show off your best hoser dance moves—who knows, you might even make it onto the jumbotron!
Breathe in some winter-fresh air—Canuck-style
Canadians are proud of the fact that we don’t shy away from a little cold weather. We’re practically born wearing toques, didn’t you know? During the winter months, we hosers bundle up and bask in our winter wonderland with activities like hiking, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, ice fishing, tobogganing, skating and pond hockey… to name just a few True North favourites. That’s because we know how important being outdoors is for our well-being, both physical and mental.
Spend time in York Durham Headwaters this season, where we make it easy for you to immerse yourself in winter fun. To start, check out these amazing outdoor centres and trails:
Trail Hub – Did you know that Uxbridge is the official Trail Capital of Canada? Breathe in fresh, Canadian air and scenic views at Trail Hub. This centre, a gorgeous chalet with a number of onsite dining options and activities, sits in the midst of Uxbridge’s trails so you have a home base from which to start, or a pit stop at which to refresh. Gather, rest and replenish your energy as you enjoy a day of hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, or fat biking.
Mansfield Outdoor Centre – Located in Orangeville, Mansfield Outdoor Centre is another great place for amazing hiking trails and views. When you’re finished enjoying the scenery and your activity of choice, stop in and try the brand-new onsite restaurant. Want to up your hoser game to a new level? Rent one of MOC’s cabins and spend a rustic night in the woods in winter.
Cranberry Marsh Waterfront Trail – Feel like some animal therapy? This Whitby favourite is the ultimate location for feeding those adorable winter chickadees. Bring some bird food along and hold out your hand. You will be more than likely to have one of our little winged friends land on you for a snack.
The ROC – Even we Canadians can get a touch of the winter blahs. When that happens, we dive into extreme activities. Give’er like a hoser at The Roc in Georgina with extreme winter sports like snow tubing, tobogganing, snowboarding and skating. Warm up and refuel in between activities at the onsite restaurant.
Keep your motor running with Canadian “health food”
Okay… when we say “health food,” perhaps we’re talking health of the spiritual variety. If there’s one thing we hosers know how to do, it’s keeping our bellies and spirits happy with maple syrup, poutine and beer. All things in moderation, right?
Known as the ultimate Canadian “dive bar” nosh, poutine has in recent years elevated its profile. Today, you can mow down on traditional poutine: hot brown gravy and ooey-gooey cheese curds on top of golden French fries. Or be more adventurous and try variations like pulled pork, butter chicken, Thai fusion, or even the Céline… Dion, that is: Montreal smoked meat, yellow mustard, cheese curds, red wine gravy and everything bagel seasoning. P.S. if you want to throw a little Franco-Canadian into your hoser lexicon in honour of our beloved chanteuse, pronounce it p’-TIN! Try it today—Je veux un peu de p’TIN, eh?
Here’s a little (not so) secret for you: We’re pretty sure that we Canadians have maple syrup in our veins. That’s how much we love this golden delight that begins to flow from our sugarbush maples every spring. For all you hoser wannabes out there, here’s an actual best-kept secret: We don’t just eat the stuff, we celebrate it with festivals in March and April. Get outdoors and enjoy the last of the winter air this spring at some of our YDH Maple Syrup Festivals.
Check out our blog article for inspiration on where to go: Sticky Situations
And then there’s our beer. We’re absolutely famous for it… or at least for our love of it. More than just your big-name breweries, our Canadian spirit of creativity and passion is alive and well with our micro and craft breweries—many of which operate right here in York Durham Headwaters. Whether you like it sour, pale, dry-hopped or stout, you’re sure to find your new favourite beer here in our region. You’ll want to try them all… just be sure to pace yourself. Remember, we hosers didn’t become connoisseurs of the pint, the brewski and the two-four all in one sitting.
Find your perfect Canadian 6-pack in YDH – Crafting Your Own Winter 6 Pack
Have a True North wellness experience: Thermal Therapy
There’s a reason we Canadians are known for our cold weather tolerance. That’s because we have a proud tradition of embracing the hot and cold therapy practices of our northern-hemisphere ancestors—from the sweat lodges of Canada’s Indigenous peoples to the saunas and bathhouses of our early European and Scandinavian immigrants.
When the temperatures begin to drop this winter, tap into our Canadian traditions of thermal therapy at Thermea Spa Village. Discover the pleasures of this serene oasis in Whitby. This unique spa village offers cutting-edge facilities and architectural designs reminiscent of a bygone era, when life was intimately intertwined with nature. Indulge in sauna rituals, explore tranquil thermal baths, savour awe-inspiring vistas, and revel in soothing experiences that will have you loving winter like a true hoser.
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