Snowshoeing is for everyone!

One of the best activities to get out and enjoy our winter wonderland is snowshoeing. It's easy (if you can walk, you can snowshoe) and it's a great family activity--everyone from young children to seniors can do it.

If you're picturing something like this:

times have changed! Today's snowshoes are lightweight, aluminum-framed and much smaller than the classic wooden snowshoes. 

Here's what you need to know to get started:

Gear and clothing

• You can rent snowshoes at many outdoor outfitters. They'll help you select the size that is right for you and the terrain you plan to hike.
• Poles can be helpful on uneven terrain and for when you fall down. (We all do at some point!)
• Wear warm, comfortable footwear and wool socks. Nothing will ruin your day faster than cold, wet feet.
• Dress in layers. You may work up a sweat once you get going. Wool and polyester fleece can help you stay warm even when wet. A waterproof, breathable outer shell is essential to help regulate body heat.
• Don't forget your sunglasses! Sun reflecting off of snow can be blindingly bright.

Technique

• Snowshoeing really is as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. You may need to widen your stance slightly, but that's all.
• If you do fall down, the easiest way to get up is to roll over on your front and then push up until you are kneeling. From there, you can lift one leg and then the other so that you're crouching and then use your knees to brace your hands and push the rest of the way up.
• To turn around, walk in a big circle if there's room. If the trail is too narrow, you'll have to turn in place. Make a T with one foot in front of the other and then bring your other snowshoe parallel with it so that you've done a 90-degree turn. Then repeat so that you're facing back in the direction you've come.
• For moderate hills, you'll need to use a slightly different technique. You'll notice that there are claws on the bottom of your snowshoes. If you step into an incline with your toe (heel raised), the claws will help you gain traction uphill. To go downhill, if it's not too steep you can walk normally. For steeper downhills, you may need to side step with your snowshoes perpendicular to the trail. Remember to step wide enough that you don't step on one shoe with the other. It helps to keep your weight on the uphill edge of your snowshoes.

And, most importantly, have fun! Bring a thermos of hot chocolate or soup along, find a sunny spot to sit, and revel in being out in the snow!

There are two fabulous places near Colonial Bay for snowshoeing:

• 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.

If you want to visit us this winter, you can view our availability here.

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you and yours a happy New Year!

Have fun in the snow!
The Howell Family

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Winter has arrived in Muskoka! Okay, maybe it's not officially winter, but Muskoka has snow and winter temperatures so we're calling it a done deal! Since there isn't enough snow yet to do many of our favourite outdoor activities (except downhill skiing!), we thought we'd enlighten you with some interesting snow facts.

Snow did you know:

• While it's not true that our Inuit neighbours to the north have 100 words for snow, there are a lot of different types of snow out there. Check them out here.
• There are also different names for snow formations. You can learn about those here.
• Our local ski hill can make snow at -2.5C (that's why they were able to open last weekend when there was only a skiff of real snow on the ground).
• Snow appears white because it reflects light
• If the temperature rises above 0C during a snowstorm, the falling snow will melt mid-air and turn to rain.

While we wait for Mother Nature to catch up with her snowmaking, here are some winter activities to get you thinking about playing in the snow:

Downhill Skiing
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is just a short drive from Colonial Bay and they are open now for weekend skiing. (Daily operations start Dec 20.) 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 during scheduled times (a fee applies) plus they offer a Free Family Skating during the holidays during scheduled times. 
Arrowhead Park will continue the Ice Trail, a 1.5km skating loop through the forest, again in 2014. The park also 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.

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.

Come and play in the snow with us this winter!
The Howell Family

Signs of Spring in Muskoka

The Easter Bunny at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area

Spring may have arrived on the calendar but there’s still some winter left in Muskoka. With Easter weekend falling at the end of March this year, conditions are perfect for a long weekend full of snowy activities that normally aren’t possible at Easter. Local ski slopes and Nordic ski/snowshoe trails are all reporting good spring conditions. It’s not too late to play in the snow one last time! Even the Easter Bunny likes to ski.

He’ll have to take a break for the Annual Muskoka Heritage Place and Nutty Chocolatier Easter Egg Hunt, though. Head over to Muskoka Heritage Place from noon – 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 31. Kids of all ages can embark on a chocolate treasure hunt, searching for the golden eggs to win prizes. Admission is free.

Our recent cold nights and warm days mean another sweet treat is on its way. The maples that provide such a beautiful show in the Fall begun to offer up the beginnings of yummy maple syrup. The best place to buy maple syrup is right at the farm gate of local producers. You can find a list here.

We hope you’re out enjoying the spring weather, no matter what it looks like right now. And summer will be here sooner that you think. Whether you plan to visit Muskoka for the Easter long weekend or once summer weather arrives, we hope you’ll choose to stay with us! You can view the availability of our waterfront cottages here.

With thoughts of Spring,

The Howell Family

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

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