When powder accumulates on the trails and ice forms on the lakes and ponds, it’s time to bundle up and head off on an adventure.This winter will be unlike any we have experienced and while skiing and snowboarding vie for most of the attention, Escarpment has compiled a boundless assortment of additional adventures to get you outdoors and into the fresh air all season long.
Snowshoeing at Duntroon Highlands. Photo courtesy duntroongolf.ca
Snowshoeing
With endless forests to explore and ample terrain to cover, snowshoeing is one of the most popular and easily accessible winter activities. Top destinations include:
PRETTY RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK, NOTTAWA
LOREE FOREST, TOWN OF THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
HARRISON PARK, OWEN SOUND
LION’S HEAD PROVINCIAL PARK, BRUCE PENINSULA
THE GROTTO, BRUCE PENINSULANATIONAL PARK
DUNTROON HIGHLANDS GOLF CLUB has created an impressive network of snowshoe trails for winter 2021. Seasons passes and day tickets are available, there is a special discount for Bruce Trail members. duntroongolf.ca
SCENIC CAVES NATURE ADVENTURES has over 12 kilometres of snowshoe trails, including a walk across their suspension bridge. Don’t miss the incredible views of Collingwood and Georgian Bay beyond. sceniccaves.com
Want to add some wine to your snowshoe experience? Check out the guided hikes at Georgian Hills Vineyards and Coffin Ridge Winery. georgianhillsvineyards.ca, coffinridge.ca
Kolapore Wilderness Trails. Photo by Clay Dolan
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
The Escarpment is home to some of the best Nordic skiing in Ontario.
THE KOLAPORE WILDERNESS TRAILS ASSOCIATION manages a 50 kilometre network of trails in the Kolapore Uplands, and as one of the only backcountry wilderness cross country ski trails in Southern Ontario, it is truly a jewel of the Escarpment. kolporetrails.org
SCENIC CAVES NATURE ADVENTURES offers 27 kilometres of trails groomed for both classic and skate ski, meander through hardwood forest and rolling terrain. sceniccaves.com
HIGHLANDS NORDIC features over 25 kilometres of groomed classic and skate ski trails. Offers rental packages, beginner lessons, a pro shop, large cafeteria and stunning views of Georgian Bay. Located in Duntroon. highlandsnordic.ca
THE WASAGA BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK offers over 30 kilometres of trails, with 22 km groomed and track set for classic skiing and 12 km groomed for skate ski. wasagabeachpark.com
GLENELG NORDIC SKI CLUB offers 25 kilometres of groomed track set trails for classic skiing. Located southwest of Markdale. glenelgnordicskiclub.org
MASSIE HILLS TRAIL is a 10 kilometre trail network located between Meaford and Owen Sound. Trails are groomed for classic skiing. massiehills.com
SAWMILL NORDIC CENTRE offers 11 kilometres of groomed trail for both classic and skate ski. Located on Highway 6 between Shallow Lake and Hepworth. bruceskiclub.ca
STONEY ISLAND CONSERVATION AREA located 4 kilometres north of Kincardine, the Stoney Island Conservation Area Trails offers 8 kilometres of groomed trails for both classic and skate ski. svca.on.ca
SAUBLE BEACH CROSS COUNTRY SKI CLUB located just north of Sauble Falls, has 18 kilometres of trail that is groomed and track set for classic skiing. skisauble.freehostia.com
TOBOGGANING
A beloved family pastime for generations, throw it back to a simpler time and go tobogganing this winter. All you need is a gentle slope, something to slide on and a hearty appetite for laughter.
HARRISON PARK, OWEN SOUND has been an enduring favourite for generations.
It has a long steep slope for the thrill-seekers and a smaller, gentle slope for the little ones. owensoundtourism.ca
BEAUTIFUL JOE PARK, MEAFORD
BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT HIKE N’ TUBE SNOW TUBE PARK provides a genuine downhill experience without the speed and equipment associated with skiing and snowboarding. bluemountain.ca
Photo by Ian Visscher
ICE FISHING
A Canadian classic, ice fishing has a long history in our area. Collingwood and Owen Sound harbours are popular destinations, as the sheltered waters tend to freeze early and provide a thick ice sheet throughout the winter. When conditions permit, just about any stretch of frozen shoreline will suffice—before heading out, always check both ice and weather conditions. Contact local information centres and operators (bait shops, fishing hut operators) for up-to-date conditions.
If you need an ice fishing rod check out the locally produced Fish Stick.fishstick.ca
Photo by Clay Dolan
SNOWMOBILING
With ample lake effect snow and thousands of kilometres of groomed trail, our area is a mecca for snowmobiling. Experience the Escarpment countryside like never before.
For information and updated trail conditions please visit ofsc.on.ca
Photo by Clay Dolan
SKATING
BLUE MOUNTAIN RESORT WOODVIEW MOUNTAINTOP SKATING has a scenic 1.1 kilometre skating loop through the forest atop the Escarpment. The trail is magically lit during the evening operating hours, and skate rentals are available. bluemountain.ca
MACGREGOR POINT PROVINCIAL PARK south of Port Elgin has an incredible 400-metreoutdoor skating loop and hockey pad. friendsofmacgregor.com
Photo by Jody Wilson
FAT BIKING
Fat biking is one of the most fun activities to do in Ontario in winter. The oversized tires on these beefy bikes turn just about any snowy trail into a cycling paradise. With long winters and abundant snowfall, it is no surprise the Escarpment offers so many fantastic fat biking venues.
Photo by Jamie Edwards
SURFING
Winter surfing in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay is gruelling, brutal and excruciatingly cold. Those dedicated few who obsessively study wind and wave reports, trying to predict the window when something rideable might break upon our shores—it’s a way of life. Ask any of these nutters where to find the best winter waves and they’ll probably direct you to Station Beach in Kincardine and Sunset Beach in Collingwood.
