Family Day Weekend Fun in Muskoka

Family Day Weekend is February 16-18. Here are 10 ways to get outside and celebrate with family and friends in Muskoka:

1. Alpine Skiing – Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is a truly family-friendly ski hill with slopes for all ages and abilities. The Algonquin Outfitters Winter Carnival is back on Sunday, February 17 with fun outdoor activities and demos. Plus, there’s face painting in the chalet by Painted Kids.
2. Cross Country Skiing – Arrowhead Provincial Park has 29 km of track-set, cross-country ski trails and 12km of skate skiing trails. Each trail is rated for difficulty and ranges from beginner to expert. You can rent both classic and skate skis at the fully stocked Park Pro Shop.
3. Skating – Arrowhead Provincial Park’s skating trail is open late Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17. Skate under the stars until 9:00 p.m. (with some added light from tiki torches along the path). A campfire will be roaring to warm fingers and toes or roast some hotdogs and marshmallows. The Cann Lake skating rink, at the corner of Brunel Road and Forbes Hill Drive in Huntsville, will also be open, weather permitting, all weekend for outdoor skating.If you prefer your fun indoors, the Canada Summit Centre has indoor public skating – check the link for the schedule.
4. Family Gold Rush Challenge at the Canada Summit Centre – “This Family friendly outdoor game will have you searching for gold all around the Canada Summit Centre. Be careful though, we've heard that gold bandits have been seen in the area!” Fee of $3.00 per person and minimum requirement of one adult per group.
5. Shopping – When you get tired of playing in the snow, check out some of our local businesses, cafes, and restaurants. Historic Downtown Huntsville has something for everyone: sporting goods, clothing, home décor, candy, toys, art and more!
6. Snowshoeing – Arrowhead Provincial Park has There are over 6km of marked snowshoe trails . Travel along Mayflower Lake or stomp your way to Stubb's Falls. Snowshoe rentals are available at the Park Pro Shop.
7. Biking – Biking in the winter? Yep! You can rent a snowbike from Algonquin Outfitters and tackle snowy trails on two wheels.
8. Art – The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery never closes! That’s because most of the installations are hung outside in public spaces. Wander the streets of Huntsville on foot, or hop in your car to find more art in Algonquin Park, Dorset, Dwight, and Baysville.
9. Winter in the Wild Festival in Algonquin Park - A full day of indoor and outdoor events on Saturday, February 16, 2013. All activities are free with the purchase of a daily vehicle permit (except for food). There’s a guided winter bird walk; a snowshoe winter wildlife excursion; skating with a campfire, and barbecue; winter camping demonstrations; and a night hike wolf howl. Check the link for locations and schedule.
10. Play in the snow! Build a snow family. Build a snow fort and have a snowball fight. Make snow angels. Or make yourself a snow Muskoka chair to sit and enjoy the view.

We hope you have a fantastic long weekend no matter how you choose to enjoy it. And if you need a place to stay, there’s always the waterfront cottages at Colonial Bay! You can view our availability here.

Here’s to winter fun!

The Howell Family

Winter Carnival Fun in Muskoka

Canadians have long embraced winter. We don’t have much choice, really. Mother Nature brings us a hefty dose of snow and cold (some years more than others) and we break trails, build forts, slide down hills and then warm our hands by a roaring outdoor fire. It’s hard to keep us inside.

Kids' fun at the Dwight Winter Carnival

So every new year we look forward to the slate of winter carnivals in January and February to celebrate the best of winter in our communities. These are family-friendly events with activities for everyone to enjoy. The fun kicks off next week in Port Sydney and carries through until the end of February in Gravenhurst.

January 23-27, 56^th Annual Port Sydney Winter Carnival: New this year is Rabbie Burns Night on January 23, complete with a roast beef dinner, haggis and bag pipes. The popular Grand Marche, a showcase of Muskoka restaurants, is back on Friday night. On the weekend, there’s skating, bonfires, face-painting, human curling, music, entertainment, and food, food and more food. (And more! Check out their website for details.)

February 1-3, 46^th Annual Port Carling Winterfest: The weekend is chock full of entertainment including dancing, skating, wagon rides, kids’ activities, competitions and even a Polar Bear Dip.

February 15-16, 23^rd Annual Dorset Snowball Winter Carnival: With tons of outdoor activities, snow sculpting, food, and demonstrations, this carnival is worth the drive to Dorset. Events are still being planned, so check back to their website for more information.

February 21-23, 43^rd Annual Dwight Winter Carnival: Just up the highway from Colonial Bay, the Dwight Winter Carnival is a small but mighty local favorite. They’re still planning events for this year, but in the past we’ve been treated to a dance, demonstrations, dog sledding, mini-snowmobiles, balloon rides and one of the best pie competitions around (and you can even buy one to take home). Check their website soon for more information on this year’s events.

February 22-24, Gravenhurst Winter Carnival: With a demolition derby, polar bear dip, glow in the dark skating, and bed races, the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival has some of the most interesting and entertaining winter carnival events around. Go to their website for a full list of activities and events.

Besides these fun events, winter is a fabulous time to explore the quiet beauty of Muskoka. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through Muskoka’s forests and across its lakes (be sure to check ice conditions first!) are an unparalleled experience. As always, we look forward to having you visit us at Colonial Bay, no matter what time of year. You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

Stay warm out there!

The Howell Family