Christmas in Muskoka

Christmas, and winter in general, is a great time to spend with family, friends and community both indoors and out. There are three local events that will help you do just that and get in the Muskoka holiday spirit.

On December 21 from 5-8pm, the Portage Flyer takes the young and young-at-heart on an open-air train ride through snow-covered trees to visit Santa. Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies are served while you wait to board. Tickets are just $5 per person. It's an annual Muskoka tradition that shouldn't be missed.

On December 21-23 from 11am-4pm, visit Santa at his other home before he heads out to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve. SantaFest at Santa's Village has a bunch of activities included with the price of admission ($8/person, 2 and under free):

❄ Horse drawn sleigh rides (from 12-4)
❄ Seasonal Kids Activities
❄ Face Painting
❄ Gingerbread Cookie Decorating for kids
❄ Craft Making
❄ Colouring
❄ Petting Farm
❄ Marshmallow Roasting
❄ Letter Writing
❄ And of course visits with Santa!

You can even head back to Santa's Village on December 28 for Thank Santa Day!

On Christmas Eve, head out to Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area for the Torchlight Parade. An annual family-friendly favourite, the parade features skiers and boarders descending the Flying Dutchman carrying brightly lit torches. There are complimentary cookies and hot chocolate in the chalet and live music from 5:30-6:30pm.

Whether you're spending Christmas in Muskoka or somewhere else, we wish you and yours a very merry, relaxing holiday season.

All the best,
The Howell Family

Enjoy Muskoka on the quiet side

What's there to do in Muskoka in November? After the summer crowds have dispersed and the trees' fall colours have turned to their winter garb, Muskoka is still an amazing place to visit. Here are some options for local activities that you might find enjoyable.

Arrowhead Provincial Park

Stubbs Falls

Did you know that you can still hike and bike in Arrowhead Park after they've closed in the Fall? The trails are blissfully quiet and with less leaf cover you have greater opportunity to see wildlife. You can park at the gate and walk the 1.5 km to the park office (which is also closed, so be sure to bring snacks and water along). From there, you can access all of the trails. Stubbs Falls is particularly beautiful, especially if night-time temperatures have been cool -- look for icicle-covered branches at waters' edge. The park re-opens in the winter for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and skating. (The skating trail is one of our family's favorite winter activities!)

If being outdoors isn't your thing, there are lots of other options. Why not visit some of Muskoka's award-winning breweries? Most offer tours (and tastings!) year round. The Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery is beautiful at any time of year and much of it can be viewed from the comfort of your vehicle or with short walks through downtown Huntsville. Local artisans are featured at galleries and shops throughout Muskoka. If you've never made the trip to the Oxtongue Craft Cabin, just a short drive from Colonial Bay near the neighbouring town of Dwight, it's a hidden gem.

Snow making at Hidden Valley Highlands

Of course, this time of year many of us are already thinking about winter and the fun that comes with it. Our local ski hill has been testing their snow-making equipment, turning their small corner of Muskoka into a winter wonderland. 

No matter what time of year you choose to visit, Muskoka has lots to offer. We hope you'll visit soon!

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