Once upon a time, I would tell everyone I hibernate during the winter; almost like it was a joke and something to be proud of. Trust me it is much more fun to dress warm and embrace the Canadian Winter we are blessed to have. I quickly learned a few years back there is no need to hibernate during winter when there are so many unique activities to try here in Ontario. In this piece, I share my winter wishlist of five winter activities in.

My Winter Wishlist: Five Winter Activities in Ontario’s Highlands

Ontario’s Highlands is nice and close to our home in the Kawartha covering a large portion of eastern Ontario, only 2.5 hours from Toronto or 30 minutes from Ottawa. These five winter activities will get me outside of the house this winter!

The following five winter activities are readily available in Ontario’s Highlands and are calling my name for family fun and a romantic getaway with my love.

Dogsledding

I’ll start with a sport I’ve had on my Winter Wishlist for as long as I could remember – dogsledding. Did you know that dogsledding dates to the early 2000 BC when they were used to pull loads as a means of transportation? However, starting in the early 1900s dogsledding has become a sport. Driven by the need for speed through the offbeat trails of a winter wonderland; it was the sport of dogsledding in 1911 that got the first man to the South Pole.*

My Winter Wishlist contains Dogsledding with Winterdance Dogsled Tours. The dog lover in me feels the need to watch the teamwork of Siberian Huskies take me through the hidden trails and valleys of Haliburton Highlands. Watch the bonding moments between them and the pride they share in the job they do. Getting down and playing with the dogs would be a bonus at the end of the day. This memory maker moment would be best shared with the love of my life, snuggled in a blanket as we watch the beauty of nature pass by. 

Take me away…

Come Wander this post for more about Winterdance Dogsled Tours.

Snowmobiling

I’ve always been a girl who loved speed, and before children, my husband and I would explore the hills and valleys throughout Ontario’s Highlands on our ATVs. But never have we experienced snowmobiling together. Just imagine the thrill you’d get gliding through the snow, over the frozen lake, with so much power under you; surrounded by the beauty of winter. That’s an adrenaline thrill I wouldn’t mind feeling. 

My Winter Wishlist includes one of the top 10 Snowmobiling destinations in North America, Haliburton Forest. They have over 300 km of well-developed, carefully maintained snowmobile trails. You can rent a snowmobile or bring your own. Haliburton Forest will create a package to meet your needs, snowmobile gear, helmets. For more experienced snowmobilers, there is even a loop that goes entirely around Algonquin Park, called the Round Algonquin Park Tour.

Come Wander this post for Snowmobiling Trails, Trips, and Terrific Accommodations in Ontario’s Highlands.

Winter Cabins

There is something special and quintessentially Canadian about cozying up in front of a wood burning fire with a cozy blanket in a sweet winter cabin, filled with the smell of smoky wood and sprinkled with fresh cold air. My heart flutters with happiness just thinking about grabbing a book, a warm cup of spiked hot chocolate and the sounds of nature outside the window, which would sound like nothing but the sprinkle of snow, Black-capped Chickadees singing a tune, or the sound of dancing Blue Jays hoping throughout the trees. We may even hear a crackle in the woods as the local fox comes out to find its dinner.

My winter wishlist would be complete at Heather Lodge an upscale adults-only resort located in Minden Ontario. It is small and quaint with 12 charming accommodations mixed with traditional Canadian Lodge décor and modern conveniences.  My winter wishlist would contain staying in one of their Lakeview Studios, overlooking Twelve Mile Lake creating a romantic winter getaway for my husband and I. Paired with a dining experience, the only thing we’d need to be concerned with is what time to take a siesta. 

Another cozy spot for a romantic getaway on Ontario’s Highlands is the Black River Retreat located in Tweed. This location has been in my sights for some time now since they cater to only one couple per evening. And each package at the Black River Retreat comes with chef-prepared meals!

Come Wander this post for Six Cabins in Ontario’s Highlands to Cozy Up In.

Ice Fishing

Having spent my teen years living close to Scugog Lake my father always had an ice fishing hut out during the tail end of the winter months. I was young, independent and didn’t care much for this hobby. Selfish to say but we all go through those years, right? 

He’d spend many nights out in the middle of the lake trying his luck. It was his calm place, away from a house of moody teenage girls. Today I realize I didn’t give ice fishing the credit it deserved. Therefore, it’s time I discover the calm and quiet place of ice fishing.

My Winter Wishlist includes ice fishing at Ogopogo Resort. Where some of the best fish can be caught 300′ from shore; I’d try my luck at finding a trout or two for dinner. At Ogopogo Resort ice fishing huts can be rented, which include your bait and the propane for the heated shelter. Ice fishing could be a meditation practice, along with your thoughts, or a place to gather as a family with a deck of cards and a pot of chili. Both sound like the slow pace opportunity for the Serenity Seeker in you to discover.

Come Wander and learn more about Ogopogo Resort.

Snowshoeing and Cross-country Skiing

I firmly believe in trying everything at least once, but in saying that if you didn’t like it the first time, try it again. Does it sound like I’m feeding my kids vegetables? Oh, wait, they love veggies because they kept trying them. I know you’re asking where am I going with this?

Here it is, I’ve attempted snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing and they were not my favorite. It could have been due to the time in my life; our children were little leaving me to sleep deprived and grumpy (exact mommy moment here). I know it is a sport I’d love if I could learn to slow down the loudness of my mind and completely give myself to nature.

Finally, our last of the five winter activities in Ontario’s Highlands; my Winter Wishlist includes snowshoeing/cross-country skiing at Algonquin Highlands Ski and Snowshoe Trails. Originally back in the day, five millennia ago* give or take, cross-country skiing was done with one long pole or spear in addition to skis of different lengths. The origin and age of snowshoes* are not known although we could all agree they have come along way since the round wooden surfaces we see in museums today. You will find over 21 km of classic cross-country ski trail weaving, looping at Algonquin Highlands Ski and Snowshoe Trails for families or even the expert Nordic skiers. I love that they rent equipment for both ski and snowshoe trails offered. 

Come Wander in this post-Algonquin Highlands Ski and Snowshoe Trails.

Come Wander more on InRdream.com about Ontario’s Highlands above and beyond our winter wish list of five winter activities in Ontario’s Highlands.

Winter Wandering Itinerary for Making Family Memories in Ontario’s Highlands |  Canthook Restaurant Culinary Adventure | Family Skiing at Sir Sam’s Ski & Ride |

Thank you for reading Tammy from the Canadian Blog In R Dream!

Please note this article is sponsored by Ontario’s Highlands. Our family makes memories yearly in Ontario’s Highlands, and it naturally is a place our heart calls out to. These five winter activities in Ontario’s Highlands are dreams and goals we hope to accomplish over the years. As always, these are our opinions and this, and all reviews are written with honesty from our heart.

References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_sled; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snowshoe