| Our winter getaway over the last two days was | | | | |
| supposed to include a couple of different | | | | Ontario offers more than 43,000 km (26,000 |
| activities: snow-tubing and outdoor skating. | | | | mi.) of maintained, interconnected, |
| Well, our outdoor skating fell through, due | | | | uncongested trails. It is the longest network |
| to the extraordinarily warm conditions, | | | | of recreational trails in the world. The 248 |
| however, we had a beautiful day yesterday on | | | | member clubs of the Ontario Federation of |
| Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie, where we enjoyed | | | | Snowmobile Clubs build and maintain this |
| some great outdoor time on frozen Lake | | | | extensive trail network. Find more |
| Simcoe.Today, after our delicious filling | | | | information about snowmobiling in Ontario in |
| breakfast at Nicholyn Farms Bed and | | | | the Ontario Snowmobiler Magazine.Iceclimbing: |
| Breakfast, we headed off for another | | | | |
| adventure: snowtubing at Horseshoe Valley. | | | | |
| Unfortunately the weather today was even less | | | | The north of Ontario is the heart of |
| cooperative: as the day progressed it went | | | | Ontario's iceclimbing country and features |
| from freezing rain to rain to a veritable | | | | ice-clad routes with heights of more than 90 |
| downpour as we drove back to | | | | m. Special ice-climbing getaways are featured |
| Toronto.Nevertheless the morning was cold | | | | on the Ontario Outdoor Website.Dogsledding: |
| enough for our snowtubing adventure. My | | | | |
| 8-year old nephew had never been snowtubing | | | | Dog sledding has evolved from a utilitarian |
| before, and knowing his penchant for | | | | form of transport in northern countries to a |
| high-speed adrenaline-filled activities, we | | | | unique travel experience. Some dogsledding |
| knew that he would fall in love with this | | | | operators have a guide drive the team, where |
| sport.Horseshoe Valley is one of several | | | | at other places you may drive the sled |
| Ontario winter resorts and in addition to | | | | yourself. The Ontario Outdoor Website |
| downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and | | | | features a variety of dog sledding adventures |
| skating, it also features a snow-tubing hill. | | | | and getaways.Urban Winter Getaways: |
| It's a thrill to get pulled up on the hill, | | | | |
| sitting on a refunctioned inner tube, and | | | | For those who want to enjoy the best that |
| then getting linked up in a group of 2, 3 or | | | | Ontario's cities have to offer over the |
| 4 snow-tubers, who hold on to their | | | | winter time, there are a variety of special |
| neighbouring tuber's handle and then get | | | | events going on. Many cities and towns |
| pushed down the hill by one of the staff | | | | throughout Ontario feature special winter |
| members - with a spin and a momentum that | | | | festivals, starting with many festivals of |
| feels almost like a roller coaster!Snowtubing | | | | light, tree lighting ceremonies and New |
| is just one of the many fun winter activities | | | | Year's celebrations in November and December, |
| that Ontario has to offer. | | | | and continuing with a variety of special |
| | | | events, trade fairs and restaurant promotions |
| Snow Valley Resort just on the other side of | | | | throughout January and February. The Success |
| Highway 400 also offers snowtubing. | | | | with Ontario website features a listing of |
| | | | Ontario's Festivals and events.Major |
| Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood is | | | | festivals include: |
| another place for Ontario snowtubing | | | | |
| enthusiasts.Skating: | | | | Toronto's WinterCity Festival and |
| | | | Winterlicious |
| Obviously hockey is Canada's national sport | | | | |
| and skating runs in the veins of many | | | | Ottawa's Winterlude Winter Festival |
| residents of this northern country. Virtually | | | | |
| all Ontario cities, towns and villages have | | | | Niagara's Icewine FestivalOntario |
| outdoor skating rinks and indoor arenas. | | | | Accommodation Choices: |
| Outdoor skating is free in many cases, and | | | | |
| indoor pleasure skating is generally a very | | | | Ontario offers a wide variety of choices for |
| inexpensive sport.One of the best known | | | | getaways. From all-inclusive feature-packed |
| skating Ontario opportunities exists in | | | | resorts, to down-to-earth farm vacations, to |
| Ottawa, on the 7.8 km long Rideau Canal, the | | | | cozy bed and breafasts, secluded cottages and |
| world's longest skating rink according to the | | | | chalets and inviting country inns, Ontario |
| Guiness Book of Records. The City of Ottawa | | | | has a wide selection of accommodation |
| lists its public skating information on the | | | | providers. Unique boutique hotels, and |
| Internet.Toronto's well-known outdoor skating | | | | centrally located urban hotels round out the |
| venues include City Hall, Harbourfront and | | | | accommodation offers. Ontario Travel's |
| Grenadier Pond in HIgh Park and the City of | | | | website offers a great overview of the |
| Toronto provides a list of leisure skating | | | | accommodation choices available in |
| opportunities in Toronto.Skiing & | | | | Ontario.There is plenty to do in the winter |
| snowboarding: | | | | in Ontario, indoors and out. Nature lovers, |
| | | | urban explorers, adrenaline junkies, and |
| Although Ontario certainly doesn't have the | | | | romantic lovebirds will all find something to |
| greatest vertical drop compared to | | | | choose from to brighten up those cold winter |
| international ski resorts, but it does offer | | | | days.Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a |
| 41 resorts for downhill skiers and | | | | website called Travel and Transitions ( |
| snowboarders at the Ski Ontario | | | | Travel and Transitions deals with |
| website.Cross-country skiing & snowshoeing: | | | | unconventional travel and is chock full of |
| | | | advice, tips, real life travel experiences, |
| Ontario's more than 120 cross-country ski | | | | interviews with travellers and travel |
| areas are rivalled only by Quebec for sheer | | | | experts, insights and reflections, |
| number and variety. Ski areas are operated by | | | | cross-cultural issues, contests and many |
| various organizations ranging from parks to | | | | other features. You will also find stories |
| clubs and resorts. The Ski Ontario website | | | | about life and the transitions that we face |
| provides an extensive listing of | | | | as we go through our own personal life-long |
| cross-country opportunities across Ontario. | | | | journeys.Submit your own travel stories in |
| | | | our first travel story contest ( and have a |
| Special offers for snowshoeing and | | | | chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on |
| cross-country getaways are featured on the | | | | the Amazon River."Life is a Journey Explore |
| Ontario Outdoor website.Snowmobiling: | | | | New Horizons". |