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

It's Winter in Muskoka!

Snow-making at Hidden
Valley Highlands Ski Area 

Winter arrived in Muskoka last week and you know what that means, don’t you? Ski season is right around the corner. Snow making is in full swing at our local slopes and it won’t be long before both downhill and cross-country trails are open.

The Muskoka landscape offers the perfect mix of terrain for skiing: gently rolling hills with the occasional heart-stopping drop for family-friendly and thrill-seeking alpine skiing alike; secluded forests for tranquil cross-country skiing tracks (and snowshoeing too!).

Here’s where you can get your ski on near Colonial Bay:

• Arrowhead Provincial Park has 29 km of groomed, track-set, cross-country ski trails and 12km of skate skiing trails for beginner to expert skiers. Both classic and skate skis can be rented from the Park Pro Shop. Glide silently through the trees and then warm up next to the bonfire before exploring another trail.
• Our local alpine ski area, Hidden Valley Highlands, has surprisingly varied terrain given its size. With twelve runs ranked from easy (green) to most difficult (black diamond) and a terrain park, there’s something for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities. For first-timers and those who want to improve their skills, the Snow School offers both beginner group lessons or one-on-one private instruction.

Weather permitting, both Hidden Valley and Arrowhead will have terrain open through the holidays this year.

Torchlight Parade, Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area

If you’re planning to be in Muskoka for the holidays this year, Hidden Valley has two celebrations: the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and New Year’s Eve family-friendly fireworks. Check out their events page for info.

Other local holiday events include:

• November 30 – Huntsville Santa Claus Parade – The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. on Main Street in Huntsville
• December 22 – A Portage Flyer Christmas at Muskoka Heritage Place - Ride the Portage Flyer to visit Santa from 5-8pm
• December 22, 23, 28, 29 – SantaFest at Santa’s Village from 11-4 each day - Admission includes horse-drawn sleigh rides, gingerbread cookie decorating, craft making, colouring & letter writing, petting farm, marshmallow roasting, story time and visits with Santa

We hope to see you this holiday season! You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here. (Don’t forget to check out our winter special from December 21-January 7!)

Warm wishes,

The Howell Family

Winter in Muskoka

Pen Lake from Colonial Bay (photo by Ben Howell)

We know, we know. There are still some leaves hanging on the trees and daytime temperatures are in the teens this week, so why are we already talking about winter? 

Well, we like winter. The Muskoka landscape is stunning when it’s blanketed in a soft cushion of white (and particularly so when it’s lit up with a gorgeous sunset like in this photo of Pen Lake from Colonial Bay). Plus, there are lots of ways to play in the snow in Muskoka: downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, skating, and snowshoeing (see our previous post about winter activities here or you can find more information on our website here). 

When you get tired of being outside (or if it’s not your thing in the first place), you can visit the shops in historic downtown Huntsville, relax in front of a crackling fire, share a hearty meal with friends and family or attend some local events.

Here are a few upcoming events to kick off winter in Muskoka:

Warren Miller’s Flow State, Algonquin Theatre, November 16

Santa Claus Parade, Main Street Huntsville, November 30

A Portage Flyer Christmas, Muskoka Heritage Place, December 22

Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade, Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area, December 24

New Year’s Eve Family Skate, Canada Summit Centre, December 31

If you’ve never experienced Muskoka in the winter, why not make the trip this year? You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here. (Don’t forget to check out our winter special from December 21-January 7!)

The Howell Family

'Tis the Week Before Christmas (A Plea to Santa)

‘Tis the week before Christmas and all through Muskoka
We’re watching the skies for falling white snow ‘cause
We want to go skiing and sledding downhill
But instead of the white stuff there’s green grass here still.

We could hurtle down rocks like those guys in the Alps
But we really don’t think that it’s going to help.
We’d rather be skiing in powdery snow
With blue skies above and frozen lake down below.

So Santa, we’re begging you. Help us out here.
Just bring us some snow for Christmas this year.
Our skis, boards and blades are all ready to go
As soon as you send us some glorious snow.

Your magic can make the snow perfect to slide on.
Mother Nature? Who needs her? She can’t be relied on.
(If she’s listening, we’re sorry. Please don’t be mad.
It’s just that we want to go skiing so bad. )

You need snow too, Santa. Think of your reindeer.
If they can’t bring presents, it won’t be a great year
For kids in Muskoka with no snow and no gifts…
You know how kids are, they’re sure to be miffed.

Your very existence could well be at stake.
We’re begging you please not to make that mistake.
With Facebook and Twitter the story will spread
And kids round the world will think Santa is dead.

So please, you must do whatever it takes
To bring us some snow for our hills and our lakes.
Thanks a lot Santa. Please save the day.
Merry Christmas to you from Colonial Bay!

Bring on the snow!

While many people think of Muskoka as a summer destination with water sports, hiking or just basking in the sun, it’s just as fun to be here in the winter. Here are some of the ways you can play in the snow in Muskoka:

Downhill Skiing
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is just a short drive from Colonial Bay. With a variety of groomed runs suitable for skiers of all abilities, Hidden Valley is a great place to spend a day with family. They also offer ski and snowboard rentals, a terrain park, night skiing and lessons. Lift ticket required.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
There are lots of trails in Muskoka that are suitable for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The closest to Colonial Bay are at Arrowhead Provincial Park and Limberlost Forest Reserve.
Arrowhead Park, located just north of Huntsville, has trails for everyone from beginners to experts. With 29 km of track-set, cross-country ski trails, 12km of skate skiing trails and 6 km of marked snowshoe trails, you’ll be able to spend the whole day exploring. Classic ski, skate skis and snowshoes are all available to rent. A day use fee applies to access the park.
Limberlost Forest Reserve is just 10 km north of Colonial Bay. Access is free to the public and they have 70 km of trails for backwoods skiing or snowshoeing.

Skating
The Town of Huntsville offers two venues for skating. The Summit Centre has indoor skating available until March 30 2012 during scheduled times (a fee applies) plus they offer a Free Family Skate on Sunday afternoons from January 22 to February 12 on Cann Lake near Muskoka Heritage Place.
Arrowhead Park has an outdoor skating rink overlooking Mayflower Lake. A gazebo at rinkside offers a place to change skates or take a break. The park has two heated warm-up shelters and an open fire when you need to warm up. Skates are available to rent. A day use fee applies to access the park.

Snowmobiling
If snowmobiling is your thing, check out the local trails here or if you’ve always wanted to try it out, you can find tours and guides here.

Tubing
Rock Ridge Tubing Park in Huntsville has thrilling runs with lifts to haul you back up to the top. And when you need a break, warm up by the fire pit or in the snack bar. A fee applies to access the runs.

Dog Sledding
A variety of local operators offer dog sledding tours in Huntsville or nearby Algonquin Park. Try Snow Forest Adventures or Huntsville Dog Sled or check Google for more.

Relaxing Fireside
At the end of a day spent playing outside, there’s nothing quite like relaxing in front of a crackling fire. Or you could just spend the day that way too! All of our winter accommodations have fireplaces. If you’d like to experience Muskoka in the winter (and we think you should!) you can see our availability here.

Now we just need Mother Nature to bring us some snow…

The Howell Family