Winter is one of our favourite seasons in BruceGreySimcoe and our outdoors are for everyone. Whether you’re a thrill seeker, looking for relaxation, or chasing the perfect blend of both, our winter activities and charming resorts make embracing winter easy. We hope this seasonal guide to enjoyment helps you plan your perfect Ontario winter getaway!
Snowy Adventures
Whether you’re looking to hit the slopes at one of our downhill ski resorts, glide through the forest on cross country skis, or blaze trails on a pair of snowshoes, BruceGreySimcoe has a snowy adventure for you. For downhill, head to Blue Mountain Resort, Horseshoe Resort, Mount Saint Louis Moonstone and Snow Valley. Not confident in your sliding skills? Opt for an afternoon of snow tubing instead! For cross-country ski and snowshoe adventures, resorts like Fern Resort, and Bayview Wildwood Resort have on-site trails that are great for beginners. At Bayview Wildwood, cross-country skis, snowshoes, ice skates, ice fishing equipment and toboggans are included with your stay. At Fern Resort equipment for skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is provided for those staying with an all-inclusive package. Living Water Resort offers on-site rentals for snowshoes and cross-country skis and Friday Harbour Resort has cross-country ski, snowshoe and fat bike rentals available. Or visit the nordic skiing and snowshoeing page for more great destinations including Scenic Caves Nordic Centre and Highlands Nordic. Consider hiring a local guide to lead you through the forest. Free Spirit Tours and Eco Adventures both have great local guides on staff.
Ice Explorations
If ice skating is on your winter adventure list, then we’ve got you covered. From skating loops that wind through forest to outdoor community rinks that alternate between hockey and ice skating, you’ll find a great place to skate. Fern Resort has a 1.5 kilometre skating trail through the forest and curling on the lake. When weather permits, Bayview Wildwood Resort maintains an ice rink on the lake and offers curling too. Blue Mountain Resort is home to the Woodview Mountaintop Skating trail and the Shinny Ice Hockey pad. MacGregor Point Provincial Park features a 400-metre skate trail that winds through the campground. Harrison Park in Owen Sound has the Good Cheer Rink with the H.O.S.E rule in effect (hockey on odd days, skating on even). More skating ideas and locations can be found here. Friday Harbour Resort offers The Skate Escape – an outdoor ice-skating experience with treats, beverages, entertainment and more. Rentals are available.
Winter Festivals & Events
From the legendary Wiarton Willie Festival to Barrie’s Winterfest, Sunnidale Winterama, Horseshoe Pride and the ongoing events in the Blue Mountain Village, BruceGreySimcoe has an incredible lineup of winter festivals. Check out our Festivals and Events page to find a winter event during your visit.
If entertainment is your jam, stay and play at Casino Rama Resort and enjoy some of the best live music and comedy acts outside of Toronto. You’re sure to find something of interest in their upcoming shows.
Sip and Savour Adventures
Why not pair your winter adventure with some local food and drink? BruceGreySimcoe is home to an array of craft beverage producers from wineries to cideries to breweries. Georgian Hills Vineyards offers outdoor firepits in the winter where you can enjoy a wine tasting and charcuterie. Join Free Spirit Tours offers a guided snowshoe and wine tasting experience at Georgian Hills as well as their Shoe and Brew experience ending at either The Collingwood Brewery or Sidelaunch Brewing Company and their Snowshoe and Cider tour that visits Grey and Gold Cider Company.
Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery lets you snowshoe through the vineyard before enjoying a tasting and charcuterie. Pre-book online here. Quayle’s Brewery offers sleigh rides around the property with family-friendly brunch on Sundays (sleigh rides offered until Family Day Weekend).
Our BruceGreySimcoe resorts have excellent restaurant options. Check out the Sweetwater Restaurant at Cobble Beach and Lakeside Seafood and Grill at Living Water Resort.
Just want to grab a great meal at a local restaurant? Visit our Local Fare page.
Warm Retreats
If a day at the spa is more your style, we’ve got you covered. Spa Scandinave Blue Mountain offers a thermal experience that will have you lounging in their hot pools before plunging in their cold ones, all under gently falling snow. Vetta Spa, located near Horseshoe Resort, also offers an outdoor sauna and spa experience along with Finnish saunas. Living Water Resort has an indoor spa with an aquapath experience while Fern Resort and Bayview Wildwood Resort also offer spa options and treatments. Find a complete list of spa options on our website.
Romantic Retreats
Warm up your love with a winter getaway to BruceGreySimcoe. Book a stay at Fern Resort, Bayview Wildwood Resort, Living Water Resorts, The Inn at Cobble Beach or one of our boutique hotels like The Dorchester Hotel or the Vandermark Hotel in Collingwood or Penny’s Motel in Thornbury.
Why not make this the year you truly embrace winter? The outdoors for everyone awaits!