15 Best Ontario Winter Activities That You Must Experience

Winter can be a difficult time of year in Ontario because the season is so long and cold. But I find the best way to make the most of it is with different Ontario winter activities. My advice is to create a winter bucket list and work your way through it from December to March. 

When I experienced my first winter in Ontario in 2017, I was excited to explore the province on winter weekend getaways and was determined to do as many winter activities in Ontario as possible.

I am an experienced skier, and have skied in places such as Switzerland, France and a little more locally in Whistler. Therefore, to ski in Ontario was a unique opportunity and it was interesting to compare the different resorts.

When November rolls around, Ontario can turn into a winter wonderland with thick piles of snow outside. It will be cold until at least March. So, make sure you are prepared with the correct winter clothing when stepping outdoors. 

Things to Do in Ontario in Winter

Many activities rely on snow to enjoy them, and luckily for Ontario, it sees ample snow in winter. 

Many winter activities are free if you have some basic equipment. Whereas others are more expensive winter sporting activities that require you to open your wallet, for example, skiing and ice fishing.

15 Best Ontario Winter Activities 

Here is a summary of all the best winter activities in Ontario to embrace this year. 

1. Ice Skating
2. Winter Hiking
3. Snowshoeing
4. Cross-Country Skiing
5. Downhill Skiing
6. Frozen Waterfalls
7. Winter Festivals
8. Christmas Markets
9. Tree Farm
10. Winter Camping
11. Maple Syrup Tapping
12. Winter Spa
13. Professional Winter Sports Game
14. Snow Tubing
15. Ice Fishing

1. Ice Skating 

Skating is a hugely popular activity in Ontario during winter. Many small lakes and rivers freeze, creating a free skating rink. So, if you have your own skates, you can skate for free in winter. 

However, if you do not own skates, you can buy some ice skates if you think you will be using them frequently over winter. Alternatively, you can borrow skates at a public skating rink. 

There are many places to skate in cities around Ontario, such as Nathan Phillip’s Square and Harbourfront Centre Rink in Toronto and the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa. There are also some rural skate trails, such as at Arrowhead Provincial Park and the Ice Trail at Muskoka Lakes Farm. 

Ice skating is one of the best winter activities in Toronto because it feels festive and is a great occasion to meet up with friends and enjoy the activity together.

2. Winter Hiking

Hiking is one of the most enjoyable things to do in winter in Ontario because there are so many incredible trails around the province.

It should not only be a summer activity because hiking in winter can be so spectacular. However, you may need some extra equipment for winter hiking, such as crampons and hiking poles. 

Learn about purchasing crampons on REI’s website.

For ideas on where to go hiking, read this article on the best winter hikes in Ontario. 

3. Snowshoeing 

Snowshoeing is similar to hiking but involves strapping rackets to your feet. The purpose of using snowshoes, as opposed to hiking, is that you can float on top of the snow rather than sink. 

You need to make sure there is snow when you opt to go snowshoeing in Ontario; therefore, keep checking the weather forecast to find out if there is snow on the ground. Alternatively, it is best to head north where there is more chance of snow. 

For snowshoe trails further north, consider visiting Algonquin Provincial Park, Huntsville, and Gravenhurst. For snowshoe trails near the Greater Toronto Area, you could visit Christie Lake Conservation Area, Rouge National Urban Park and Bronte Creek Provincial Park. 

Some of these parks do not rent out equipment, so consider buying some snowshoes and you can use them every winter. You can also purchase snowshoes from MEC.

4. Cross Country Skiing

You will not find too many hills in Ontario, which is why cross-country skiing is a great winter activity. There will be an abundance of snow in some parts of Ontario to make the most of. 

Killarney Provincial Park is a popular destination for cross-country skiing in Ontario for its three trails lasting 34 km. Check the Killarney Ski Report before travelling to find out the snow and trail conditions. 

Arrowhead is another option for cross-country skiing in Ontario. There are nine trails, totalling 43 km – check the Arrowhead Ski Report here. 

You can find information on winter rentals in various Ontario parks on this website. 

5. Downhill Skiing

When you think of skiing in Canada, resorts such as Revelstoke, Whistler and Mont Tremblant may come to mind. Sadly, Ontario does not have a resort to this scale. However, it still is possible to go downhill skiing in Ontario. 

One of the most well-known ski resorts in Ontario is Blue Mountain. In addition to skiing, you can also enjoy the multitude of activities around the ski village. For example, there is ice-skating, snowshoeing, caving, Scandinave spa, fat biking, snow tubing, and the mountain roller-coaster. 

You can find a list of ski resorts in Ontario here.

Skiing in Ontario can be extremely cold, so make sure you wear suitable winter clothing and layer your clothing correctly.

I recommend Helly Hansen Snow Pants – these are the snow pants I own. Also, you should have hand warmers in your gloves and feet warmers in your ski boots.

6. Frozen Waterfalls

Even in the winter, it is possible to visit waterfalls in Ontario. Waterfalls are fun to visit in summer, but seeing frozen waterfalls is taking it to another level. 

Aside from the famous Niagara Falls, there are some other impressive waterfalls to visit in winter in Ontario. 

For waterfalls close to the Greater Toronto Area, check out Webster Falls and Tews Falls. They are close to each other in Dundas near to Hamilton. There are many more waterfalls in the area as well, such as Smokey Hollow Waterfall, Albion Falls and Buttermilk Falls. 

For frozen waterfalls further north of Toronto, visit Hoggs Falls in Flesherton or Inglis Falls near Owen Sound. Inglis Falls can completely freeze over in winter.

7. Winter Festivals in Ontario

There are a lot of interesting winter events that take place in Ontario to keep you occupied throughout the cold season. 

Ottawa holds its Winterlude Festival each year for three weeks with all kinds of free and paid-for seasonal activities. There is an ice carving competition, snow-tubing, ziplining, food stalls, as well as the famous Rideau Canal Skateway.  

Niagara Falls puts on a Winter Festival of Lights each year from November to February. In this festival, there are lights all along Niagara Parkway and Niagara Falls. There are walking routes so you can get up close and personal to the light installations.

The first part of the festival is based on the festive holidays and the second part of the festival is a winter wonderland theme. 

Another festival you can expect to find in Niagara is the Niagara Icewine Festival that takes place in January. For those unfamiliar, ice wine is a local sweet wine that involves a process of wine-making with frozen grapes.

By purchasing a Niagara Icewine Discovery Pass you can get ice wine and food pairings at participating wineries during the festival. 

8. Christmas Markets

For some, a Christmas market is one of the best winter activities of the season in Ontario. Toronto holds a Christmas Market in the Distillery District every year with carol singing, festive decorations, food vendors and a huge Christmas tree.  

There are other Christmas markets to visit in Ontario, such as XMUS Festival in Muskoka, Ottawa Christmas Market, Niagara Falls Christmas Market, and Christkindl Market in Kitchener.

It can get chilly at Christmas markets in winter in Ontario, but that is no excuse to miss out. Dress in suitable winter clothing and buy a mulled wine or hot chocolate to warm yourself up.

9. Tree Farm

Following on from Christmas markets, if you are in Ontario in mid-November or December, you have the chance to visit a tree farm. This is where you chop down your own Christmas tree and take it home to decorate.

I have been to a tree farm several times, and each time it is just as enjoyable. I think it is one of the best things to do in Ontario in the winter.

The first step is to decide which type of tree you would like to take home. The options usually include Fir, Spruce, Scotch, and White Pine trees.

Then, from the type of tree you have selected, you can choose your favourite to harvest. You should bring your own saw to cut the tree trunk, or you may be able to borrow one from the farm.

Next, carry your tree back to the cashier to get your tree shaken on the machine to remove some of the loose needles. The staff will also help you wrap up the Christmas tree to transport it home. You typically pay for your tree in cash or e-transfer.

Overall, visiting a tree farm is a fun winter activity to do in Ontario, with or without children. Many farms are around an hour’s drive from the Greater Toronto Area, so you could combine it with some snowshoeing or another winter sport.

Use this website to find a tree farm in Ontario.

10. Winter Camping 

Talking of being outside in the cold, do not rule out camping in winter. Camping does not necessarily mean sleeping in a tent – it is possible to stay in a heated yurt in winter. Although you cannot cook inside the yurt, you can use the barbeque outside to prepare your meals. 

There are heated yurts in various parks throughout Ontario, such as Mew Lake in Algonquin Park, Windy Lake, and MacGregor Point. Read this article to learn more about winter camping in Ontario.

Yurt camping is also available at Bruce Peninsula National Park in winter this year as part of a pilot project.

11. Maple Syrup Tapping

Did you know that winter is the time of year to tap maple syrup from a maple tree? But not just any tree, it should be a sugar maple tree to get the most yield. 

If you have all the equipment, including a tree that you are allowed to tap, you may extract the maple from the tree. However, maple trees can be tapped a limited number of times, so do not get carried away. Plus, you can only tap trees at a specific time of winter.

Learn more about maple syrup tapping here. 

12. Winter Spa

There is an outdoor thermal spa at Blue Mountain called Scandinave Spa. The spa is open year-round; however, there is something special about visiting an outdoor spa in winter when it is surrounded by snow. 

The heated baths are in the forest, making for a unique experience when the weather is cold outside.

Book your visit to Scandinave Spa one month ahead of time to guarantee a spot. Blue Mountain can be one of the best winter day trips from Toronto if you do not stay the night in the area. It also makes a great winter overnight getaway.

13. Professional Winter Sports Game

I already mentioned the well-loved winter pastime of ice skating, but have you considered watching the professionals on an ice rink in a hockey game? There are several teams to watch in Ontario, but one of the most famous is the Maple Leafs hockey team.

Ice hockey is thought to be one of the most popular winter sports in Canada.

You can view the schedule and buy tickets to see the Maple Leafs on Ticketmaster.

14. Snow Tubing

For the adventure seekers this winter, consider trying out some snow-tubing in Ontario.

Some of the best snow tubing in Ontario can be found in Snow Valley in Barrie, Chicopee Tube Park in Kitchener and Blue Mountain.

You can book a time slot at Chicopee Tube Park on the website.

For more ideas on where to find snow tubing around Toronto read this article.

15. Ice Fishing

Ice fishing in Ontario is a serene and unique winter activity. It involves drilling a hole in the frozen surface of a lake or river to catch fish below.

You will want to make sure there is enough ice covering the water before you venture out, so it is essential to keep an eye on the weather forecast. In many cases, heading north is your best bet, as the colder temperatures ensure a more reliable layer of ice.

For ice fishing spots, consider destinations like Lake Simcoe and Lake Nipissing. These frozen waterbodies are well-known for their abundance of fish and offer an authentic ice fishing experience. Be sure to check local regulations and have the necessary permits.

4 Best Places to Visit in Winter in Ontario

Ontario winter activities do not have to be all about outdoor winter sports. You can also use winter as a chance to discover new places to visit in Ontario. 

There are plenty of benefits of travelling to Canada in winter, such as winter activities, cheaper prices for hotels and flights, and a chance to experience thick blankets of snow like you may not have seen before.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Ontario in winter. 

1. Blue Mountain

Ontario is not as famous for its skiing as British Columbia, Alberta or even Quebec. However, if you would like to ski in Ontario, you should visit Blue Mountain resort. 

It is possible to visit Blue Mountain for a winter weekend getaway in Ontario. Ensure you book accommodation in advance because it is a popular place for those living in the Greater Toronto Area to visit.

2. Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, which means you should aim to visit at least once, in my opinion. However, if you can, I would suggest visiting Ottawa in winter. The historical buildings look particularly impressive when there has been a dusting of snow.

When you visit in winter, there are plenty of activities to do, as I mentioned above. For example, exploring the parliamentary buildings, trying out seasonal treats and skating on Rideau Canal National Historic Site are all must-do activities in Ottawa. 

3. Toronto 

In addition to the Christmassy activities around Toronto in mid-November and December, there are other fun things to do in Toronto in winter. For example, there are many ice-skating rinks in Toronto, the Winter Light Show at Ontario Place and festive activities at Casa Loma. 

For those looking to escape the outdoors, there are numerous indoor museums in Toronto, such as the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Hockey Hall of Fame, and Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). 

There are many great restaurants in Toronto that you can use to keep you out of the harsh weather. A handful of my favourite restaurants in Toronto include Peter Pan Bistro, Richmond Station Restaurant and Sotto Sotto Restaurant. 

4. Muskoka

Muskoka is known as cottage country to locals. Can you imagine anything more fulfilling than renting a cottage in Muskoka in the winter to get a truly rural experience?

During the day, you can do winter activities such as snowshoeing, dog sledding and ice skating.

You can book cottages in Muskoka on VRBO. However, many holiday rentals require you to book the cottage for a week, so you could also consider staying in a hotel or resort nearby if you can only spare a few days. 

Barrie is a large town on the way to Muskoka with many hotels within reach of numerous Ontario winter activities.

I stayed at JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa in March a few years ago and it was a lovely winter getaway. There are many free activities to enjoy at the hotel, such as fat biking, guided walks, snowshoeing, maple syrup tasting etc.

Gravenhurst is another option for a weekend getaway in Ontario. You can book the Residence Inn by Marriott Gravenhurst Muskoka Wharf.

Where Else to Visit in Winter in Canada?

I have never been to Northern Ontario or Northwestern Ontario, where you will find Thunder Bay, Sault Ste Marie, and Lake Superior. However, I know that you will find some spectacular ice caves and an abundance of other Ontario winter activities. 

You do not need to limit your winter activities to Ontario alone. Quebec City makes a lovely weekend getaway from Ontario and is easily reached by VIA Rail trains.  

For arguably the best skiing in Canada, head west to British Columbia or Alberta. I have skied at Whistler Blackcomb and it was incredible due to the size of the resort.

FAQ – Winter Activities Ontario