Family Day Weekend is the perfect time to experience the magic of winter in Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Algonquin Provincial Park. Invigorating temperatures and a snow-covered landscapes provide the perfect setting to get outside and enjoy your family’s favourite winter pastime or experience a winter themed event. Need some ideas? Look no further! Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Algonquin Provincial Park have a wide range of events and activities to keep your family entertained all weekend long!
Family Day Weekend Events
FIRE & ICE NIGHT
February 14 from 6-9pm
Arrowhead Provincial Park
Once the sun goes down and the stars come out, join us on the 1.3km Ice Skating Trail that is illuminated by hundreds of tiki torches lighting your way as you carve through the incredible winter scenery at Arrowhead Provincial Park.
*Weather and ice conditions permitting.
DORSET SNOWBALL
February 14 & 15
Dorset Recreation Centre
The Dorset Snowball offers winter fun for the whole family! The weekend includes great food, and endless indoor and outdoor activities!
WINTER IN THE WILD FESTIVAL
Saturday February 15 from 10am-8pm
Algonquin Provincial Park
The Winter in the Wild Festival is a family-friendly event that includes a wide variety of activities such as snowshoeing, winter bird walks, ice-skating, marshmallow roasting, winter camping demonstrations and more! Activities take place at various locations throughout the Highway 60 Corridor of Algonquin Park. All activities during the Festival are free with the purchase of a valid Park Permit, except for food.
DANCE NIGHT AT CANVAS BREWING CO.
Saturday February 15 from 9pm- Close
Canvas Brewing Co.
Time to dig out your dancing shoes… Canvas has decided to give the people what they want! This Saturday, February 15th Canvas Brewing Co. are opening their event space to the public for our FIRST EVER DANCE NIGHT! The night includes a full bar, local DJ with a $5 suggested cover.
19+ Event
BAYSVILLE WINTERFEST
Monday February 17 from 8:30am-4pm
Baysville Community Centre
Baysville Winterfest is a one-day Festival offering tons of fun activities for the whole family, including a pancake breakfast, kid’s crafts, skating, a magic show, outdoor games, activities and so much more!
ROTARY FAMILY FUN DAY
Monday February 17 from 10am-2pm
Huntsville Bowl
FAMILY DAY SKATE & SWIM
February 17
Canada Summit Centre
Join in on the holiday skate and swim fun at the Canada Summit Centre:
- Monday, February 17, 2020 – Parent and Tot Skate 10-11am
- Monday, February 17, 2020 – Family Skate 11am-12pm
- Monday, February 17, 2020 – Family Leisure Swim 1-2:30pm
*Regular rates apply
Other Activities
VISIT A WINTER PLAYGROUND
If you are after the quintessential Muskoka winter adventure, look no further than Huntsville’s Arrowhead Provincial Park. The park’s star attraction is the winter skating trail. Bring your skates or rent them at the park and glide through 1.3 km of snow covered forest. However, Arrowhead has so much more to offer in winter than just the ice trail. The park grooms and maintains more than 30 km of Nordic ski trails for both classic and skate skiing. There are a variety of trails for hiking and snowshoeing including the popular Stubbs Falls trail. There is also a tubing hill large enough to ensure even the biggest kids will have a thrill, with a bonfire pit and warm up hut at the top – the tubes are provided! Looking for something different? Try the sport of skijoring, where skiers are pulled along the trails by dogs. The sport is the perfect way to exercise both you and your dogs while taking in Arrowhead’s winter splendor.
HIT THE SLOPES
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area has been a Huntsville winter tradition for more than 40 years. A family favourite destination, the resort has 14 slopes serviced by three quad chair lifts as well as a beginner hill with handle tow. Hidden Valley has an excellent ski school program with lessons for all ages and abilities with their fun and friendly certified snow pros. They offer day and night skiing including the always popular Thrifty Thursday night rates. Check their website for special events and pack up the family for a day or weekend of winter fun.
DISCOVER A WINTER GEM
If you are searching for something more “off the beaten path,” the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve is the destination for you. The reserve is a publicly accessible private year-round wilderness haven boasting 20 private lakes and more than 10,000 acres of unspoiled mixed forest. In the winter there are 25 kilometres of groomed trails for Nordic skiing that are free for public use daily from 9 am to 5 pm. Ski at your own pace around lakes, through the forest and past some of the reserve’s unique natural features. Bring your skis or rent from the Algonquin Outfitters store in Huntsville. There are also several trails open for snowshoeing. Pack a lunch and a hot drink and immerse yourself in a snow-covered paradise.
COZY UP WITH A HORSE DRAWN SLEIGH RIDE
What could be more romantic than cuddling under warm blankets on a horse drawn sleigh through winter trails lit by torches? Back of Beyond Equine Centre will take couples, families or groups through snow covered forest trails, with the torchlight leading the way. After your tour, enjoy a traditional campfire with beverages and snacks as you relax with loved ones and friends under a display of stars unmatched in more urban surroundings.
This Family Day Weekend, embrace the spirit of Canadian adventure and head outdoors to enjoy the best of the season. Whether you are looking for an endurance challenge, snowy exploration or fun for the whole family, Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Algonquin Provincial Park are packed with unique experiences that will leave you wanting more.