Muskoka: Fun For Everyone

We love Muskoka and we know that you do, too! Part of its attraction, beyond natural beauty and friendly people, is that there’s something for everyone to do here. Families and singles, young and young-at-heart, two-legged and four-legged friends… there’s an attraction, event or activity to please everyone.

We’re not surprised that National Geographic Magazine included Muskoka in its newly-released book, “100 Places That Can Change Your Child’s Life,” adding to Muskoka’s earlier National Geographic designations as one of the 10 Best Summer Trips in 2011 and one of the Best of the World in 2012. It’s an amazing place for kids to explore, play or just hang out.

Muskoka is also an attractive destination for active seniors and two upcoming events will showcase their skills as athletes: 

• Huntsville welcomes the Ontario 55+ Winter Games from February 26-28. More than 1000 athletes will compete in outdoor and indoor events including Alpine Skiing, Badminton, Curling, Duplicate Bridge, Ice Hockey, Nordic Skiing, Prediction Skating, Table Tennis, Ten Pin Bowling and Volleyball.
• From March 4-10, the Arrowhead Nordic Ski Club hosts the 2013 Canadian Masters National Championship at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Skiers aged 30 to 85+ will compete in races from 5km to 20 km in length. Check both websites for the event schedules and come cheer on the athletes!

Family Day weekend just ended – sunny, blue skies and crisp winter air made perfect conditions for outdoor activities – and March Break is just 3 weeks away. If the long-range forecast is to be believed, we’ll still have plenty of snow and balmy winter temperatures for you to ski, snowshoe, and play outside. So get out of the city and come visit for one last winter adventure, why don’t you?

Whether you decide to visit now or when summer makes its glorious return, we’d love to see you at Colonial Bay! You can see the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

The Howell Family

Going To The Dogs In Muskoka

There’s no end to the fun you can have in the snow in Muskoka. We often talk about skiing and snowshoeing and snowmobiling, but this weekend you can experience winter with some four-legged friends. 

Photo by Stacie Morris

It’s the 19^th annual Kearney Dog Sled Races, just a short drive north of Huntsville. In addition to sledding and skijoring races, there’s a whole bunch of family fun happening: kid and mutt races, face painting, an antique snowmobile display and parade, chainsaw carving, musicians, and tons of food!  

To get you in the spirit, here’s some history and info on dog sledding and skijoring:

•  “Sled dogs have coexisted and cooperated in partnership with humans for many thousands of years in the northern regions of North America and Siberia. Archeological evidence puts the earliest date at over 4,000 years ago. Some anthropologists suggest that human habitation and survival in the Arctic would not have been possible without sled dogs.” (International Federation of Sled Dog Sports)
• “The first written account of a race was an informal challenge between travelers on the route from Winnipeg to St. Paul in the 1850s. In 1886, the first Saint Paul Winter Carnival featured sled dog races and ski competitions as part of the festival to glorify the attractions of winter in Minnesota.”
• The most common dog-sledding commands are: Hike (start pulling), gee (veer right), haw (veer left), easy (slow down), whoa (stop) and on by (pass another team or other distraction).
• Skijoring is Norwegian for ski driving. In this sport, a dog (or dogs) pulls a cross-country skier using harnesses and a rope.
• You don’t need to have a Husky to skijor! Any enthusiastic breed that can follow commands will do, including Pointers, Setters, Golden Retrievers, Labs, American Bull Terriers, and Mastiffs.

If you aren’t coming to Muskoka this weekend or want to try dog sledding and skijoring for yourself, check out these local businesses:

• Call of the Wild Adventures
• Snow Forest Adventures
• Voyageur Quest
• Wilderness Adventures
• Chocpaw Expeditions
• The Bike Shop in Gravenhurst

There’s still lots of winter left in Muskoka! Enjoy it while it lasts (and don't forget about one last fling during March break!). If dog sledding and skijoring aren’t your speed, join us at Colonial Bay for other winter activities. You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

Have fun in the snow!
The Howell Family