A Winter of Adventure Awaits in Huntsville
The season of snow has arrived in Huntsville which can only mean one thing. It’s time to embrace the spirit of Canadian adventure and head outdoors to enjoy the best that winter has to offer. Whether you are looking for snowy exploration or fun for the whole family, Huntsville is packed with unique winter experiences that will leave you wanting more.
Keep reading below to discover seven incredible outdoor activities available to you in Huntsville this winter!
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. Friday and Saturday’s Fire and Ice Nights are pure magic, with the entire trail lit by torches. However, Arrowhead has so much more to offer in winter than just the ice trail. The park grooms and maintains more than 28km of classic and 16km of skate Nordic ski trails for you to enjoy. There are a variety of trails for hiking and snowshoeing including the popular Stubbs Falls trail. All you need to bring are your winter gear and your sense of adventure!
Hit the Slopes
Point your tips downhill at Muskoka’s only ski hill – Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area! Here you’ll find three quad lifts, 15 trails ranging from beginner to black diamond, and a terrain park to catch some air. Rental equipment is available on site. Want to ramp up your skills? Take a lesson with certified instructors from the HV ski school. Check their website for special events and pack up the family for a day or weekend of winter fun.
Throw An Axe in the Forest
Bush Poker Axe Throwing provides an outdoor variation of the wildly popular sport of axe throwing. Located just outside Huntsville at Find Your Wild Muskoka, you will learn rules and different methods of axe throwing followed by games and challenges surrounded by their beautiful hardwood forest. Find Your Wild also offers tubing, tobogganing and a campfire all in one place.
Uncover 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. 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 in this snow-covered paradise.
Cozy Up with a Romantic Evening Sleigh Ride
What could be more romantic than cuddling under warm blankets on a horse drawn sleigh through winter trails lit by glowing lights and lanterns? Back of Beyond Equine Centre will take couples, families or groups through snow covered forest trails, where you will sense how the forest has a special feeling at night; peaceful, mysterious and tranquil. End up at a crackling private campfire where a warm beverage awaits. Roast some marshmallows and warm your toes.
Join the Pack
Cruise through the forest in style with a team of sled dogs leading the way. At North Ridge Ranch, get a taste for mushing in a one-hour tour, or take a half-day excursion through a Muskoka Forest. It’s a winter experience like no other!
Discover a Village of Snow
This winter, River Mill Park in downtown Huntsville is turning into a whimsical winter playground. The winter activities begin on January 11 (weather permitting) with the launch of the River Mill Park Skating Rink. Once the rink is launched there is planned entertainment every weekend on the ice. This weekly entertainment series will take place over 9 Saturdays and one Sunday (Family Day Weekend) and includes performances by buskers, ice sculptors, Kids Themed DJs, and so much more. Each night, the skating rink is open from 5-9pm so you can enjoy skating under the lights, beside a roaring fire. Starting mid-February, a magical Snow Village will be built around the outside of the rink. Bring the family and enjoy interactive snow activities such as snow sculptures, snow forts and even a snow labyrinth.
Need a place to stay to make the most of your winter visit to Huntsville? Check out these great accommodations nearby.