Travelling North in Ontario--winter in Northern Ontario

I encourage all travellers and visitors coming to Canada to explore Ontario's North and to read the article by Bruce Corcoran,
Chatham Daily News - Chatham,Ontario,Canada
Snowmobiling, ice fishing, cross-country and downhill skiing, outdoor
skating, you name it, all are popular pursuits in the north. ...
<http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=873801>

This is an entertaining and interesting perspective on a vision of where northern Ontario really starts, how residents perceive the north vs the south of Ontario.

For a taste of winter north in Ontario see a selection of winter getaways to enhance your pursuit of the many recreational activities mentioned by Corcoran.

Family Day Weekend in Ontario

Welcome to Ontario family getaways. February of 2008 will signal a historic ocassion in the Province of Ontario with the arrival of the first public holiday in the winter called Family Day.

We encourage visitors to take advantage of some of the many special family getaways or one of the many winter getawaya offering a variety of outdoor activities including, snowshoeing, downhill and cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice-skating, and indoor relaxing around a warm firs.

See winter getaways

Ontario Travel During Family Day Weekend 2008

The Financial Post reported today Sat. 19^th, Jan. 2008 that Ontario resorts (resort destinations in Ontario) should benefit from the Province’s new family day on February 18. The article contends based on Ipso Reid and Expedia report that “31% of Canadians plan some type of trip for the February holiday weekend.” If one quarter of Ontario vacationers say they plan to go south that leaves ¾ who will probably stay in Ontario or Canada. Good news for Tourism in Canada and Ontario. My calculations say that approximately 3,000,000 Ontario residents will be engaging in a mini-vacation or a day trip during February Family Day Weekends.

Already there are a number of Ontario Resorts offering getaway packages in February and a number of attractions such as the Wye Marsh near Midland Ontario are setting up day long activities and programs for the Family Day on the Monday. For example Wye Marsh is offering, Free snowshoe rentals for all children 12 and under, Free cross country ski lessons at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, Meet the Creatures Live Animal Shows at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm.

Snowmobiliers Encouraged to be safe--

Safety Tips Snowmobile Tips

Snowmobile Safety is Critical around water sources, lakes, rivers, streams on your snowmobile getaway vacation.

Snowmobiliers should become familiar with the Safe Rider Program
provided by the OFSC.

Ontario Travel to National Ski Week Events

Ontario Winter Carnivals Family Fun

Ontario travel north of Toronto Winter Getaways provide family fun times. Ski resorts will be making snow and the downhill skiers will be celebrating National Ski and Snowboard Week until January 19.

Winter Carnivals in Ontario kick off this coming weekend, with fun winter activities for families.

Ontario Ski Report provides snow reports, snowmobile trail reports, Provincial Park Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe report links. Before heading out check the Ontario road weather conditions and lake ice conditions for driving and outdoor recreation in the winter. It is not too early to consider booking your February Family Day Holiday Getaway weekend.

Ontario Travel to Winter Carnivals, Snowfests, and family winter fun

The weekend of Jan 19, 2008 is the start of the winter Carnival season north of Toronto. Here is a list of carnivals for the upcoming weekend. Combine a winter getaway weekend at one of the many resort destinations. Check out the Winter Carnival page for more winter fun ideas.

Brighton

Brighton, January 18-27
Start off with a pancake breakfast and finish off with an old fashioned winter supper. In between, check out a hockey tournament, a winter bird workshop or enjoy a lantern-lit skate.

Tim Horton's Georgian Cup

Owen Sound, January 19, 20
The ultimate snowmobiling race highlights this snowcross weekend. Don't miss the big race or the freestyle challenge.

Snofest Winter Carnival

Peterborough, Ontario
Saturday, January 19, 2008

Enjoy Pancake breakfast, sleigh rides, snowman contests and much more at the PCMA and Armour Hill. All events are free and family friendly. Dress for the weather!
Featured at 11 am and again at 1 pm enjoy acclaimed children’s entertainer MUSIC BY JAKE. Snowfest Winter Carnival Information Peterborough Hotels On-line

Campbellford Polar Bear Festival

January 19 A winter festival including an icy dip in the Trent River, demolition derby, enter your favourite recipe in the chocolate or cheese contest.
For more information call 1-888-653-1556 or (705) 653-1551

Ontario Travel--Snow is back in Cottage Country

Ontario outdoor activities are gaining momentum as the snow has returned to the North with recent snowfalls. Check Weather and Road Conditions. Today the Ontario Ministry of Tourism says, "new snow was reported in the Huronia and Kawartha regions, where they received anywhere from 5 to 10cm of fresh snow overnight and there is more in the forecast for today. Ski conditions are being reported as a combination of groomed granular and powder on both the alpine and cross country trails. If you’re planning a day on the slopes and trails it will be quite comfortable with temperatures around -3 degrees." Getaway this week north of Toronto, See a selection of winter getaways at
Ontario Travel North of Toronto

Ontario Travel News-Travel and Tourism North of Toronto

Find the latest in travel news, tourist activities, winter carnivals, travel packages, for Ontario Winter travel north of Toronto. Everything from Ontario winter road conditions to ice fishing getaways, snowmobile getaways, skiing getaways. The travel information on this page represents current new tourist information for travel and tourism in the Province of Ontario including tourist attractions, tourist guides, restaurants, hotels, events, history, seasons, outdoors, resorts, resort destinations north of Toronto. See Ontario Travel News and Tourist Information.

Ontario Ice Fishing--The Family Fun, Guys Getaway, Artistic Side

The Richard Johnson Gallery in Toronto is featuring an ice hut photo exhibition. This was covered in the globe and mail with the headline,

Out on the ice, no two huts are the same a story by Gary Michael Dault..."The huts, Johnson points out, are "sled-based," each still resting on the sled on which it was dragged out by snowmobile onto the ice". Globe article continues.

This blog author and amateur photographer prefers going out on the ice and checking out the variety of ice huts or, a search for the natural setting highlighting the solitary fishing hut in a more illuminated setting. (Photo taken by r.taylor on Lake Kashagawigamog in Haliburton). This is not just a guys sport. This is an outdoor sport for the entire family, however should not be considered a day long activity. Groups of guys will look at it differently as an annual outdoor right of the great Canadian outdoors. Ice fishing opportunities for families and guys can be found on the Ontario Travel North of Toronto website by going to ICE FISHING GETAWAYS

Ontario travel outdoor travel Snowshoeing North of Toronto

More than 25 snowshoeing options are available for the outdoor enthusiast travelling north of Toronto. Ontario travel and resort destinations from Haliburton to the Ottawa Valley, the Algonquin area, west to Collingwood. One of the great new sports for the aging baby boomers is snowshoeing. Ontario has more than its share of winter outdoor space. Many of the resort destinations provide both trail and off trail snowshoe adventures north in Ontario. See Snow shoe and Snowshoeing tips.

How to become a “Winterized Canadian

Snow tubing, Igloo Building, Sleigh Rides, Winter Eco Tours, Snowshoeing, Winter Stargazing and Ontario Resort Getaway Packages

North of Toronto, Ontario…2008…With the good snowfalls in December, winter is shaping up to offer fun family outdoor adventures and outdoor getaways in the many resort destinations north of Toronto. A variety of family Outdoor fun including, building an igloo, a winter eco tour with snowshoes, sleigh rides, or an Ontario resort winter getaway package can be viewed by going to http://www.400eleven.com/.

400ELEVEN TRAVEL provides a one stop for Ontario travel winter information north of Toronto with Links to weather, road conditions, ski reports, snowmobile trail reports and more than 160 accommodation and attraction properties providing winter activities go to http://www.400eleven.com/ski-report.html

Information on the many events and festivals can be viewed on the web site at www.400eleven.com/events.html and winter carnivals can be viewed at www.400eleven.com/wintercarnivals.html.

Ontario Winter Travel Getaways North of Toronto

One Stop Guide to Winter North of Toronto

Ontario skiing and outdoor winter sports are off to a quick start before winter officially starts. Ontario Travel north of Toronto has several options available for outdoor winter enthusiasts. More than 100 outdoor winter getaways are suggested for the major winter sports and winter recreation activities. Winter getaways north of Toronto can be found at http://www.400eleven.com/getaways-winter.html

The most up-to-date ski report can be found at http://www.400eleven.com/ski-report.html and information

on Ontario road conditions is available at http://www.400eleven.com/newroads.html

Ontario Ski Report, Ski and Snowboard Report, Skiing November 28, 2007

Open Today:

Horseshoe Resort – Machine groomed wet snow on a 35cm base with 2 lifts on 5 slopes. The cross country trails are closed at this time.

Open Tomorrow:
Blue Mountain, Mount St. Louis Moonstone, Horseshoe Resort

Open Saturday:
Blue Mountain, Mount St. Louis Moonstone, Horseshoe Resort, Snow Valley
Hardwood Hills Nordic Ski Centre

Book Winter Getaways Now

Skiing Starts North of Toronto--Ontario Fresh Snow

Horseshoe Valley resort was the first to open on Thurs. November 22, 2007, one of the earliest starts to ski season in Ontario. With the help of snowmaking and a new fresh snowfall Horshshoe Valley Resort should have runs open for weekend skiing

It is not too early to start planning your winter getaways north of Toronto, as some are predicting this to be one of the best snow years on record.

There is more to winter than just skiing as spa getaways and romantic getaways top the list for couples travelling north in Ontario.

Santa Clause Parades and Christmas Tree Lighting North

Ontario communities across Ontario North of Toronto will be kicking off their Christmas season starting the weekend of November 16 with Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies and Santa Clause Parades. Many communities will have special festivals of lights including a representation of Canada's historic "First Light" at Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons in Midland Ontario (See Photo). The Huron Carol will be featured along with the glow of 2000 candles during this weekend. Walkerton Ontario will be hosting a Thousand Nativities representing more than 30 countries and cultures.

Ontario Lights Up-November Travel North

Many of the light ceremonies start this week north of Toronto and are tied into Christmas events and activities and continue into the new year. Head north of Toronto for a fresh and colourful season of lights. A more detailed list of Christmas Tree Lighting ceremonies and festivals of lights can be found at. Starting this week both Orillia and Kapuskasing begin to celebrate.

Wonderland of Lights Orillia, Ontario
November 16-December 31, 2007
Thousands of white lights adorn Downtown stores, buildings & trees. 10,000 blue LED lights illuminate Community Christmas Tree at Orillia Opera House
Web Site Click Here

Festival of Lights Kapuskasing, Ontario

November 17 –January 1, 2008
Riverside Park will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with over 100,000 shimmering lights and displays.
Web Site Click Here

Ontario's Military Highways on Rememberance Day

In addition to the traditional Remembrance Day Ceremony held at 11:00 a.m. next Sunday November 11, we encourage Ontario residents to take time and visit one of the provinces military museums or take a drive on one of the two significant Military Highways in Ontario.

The Peacekeepers' Way Highway

The Peacekeepers Way (Highway 90) runs from Barrie to Angus and Base Borden, approximately 10-kilometre drive from Barrie. This is a reminder to think about our fore bearers and what they fought for during the two major wars, the Korean War and now Afghanistan. Visitors may attend the Borden Military Museum during operating hours.

The Highway of Heroes

The Highway of Heroes is a 170-kilometre stretch of Highway 401 between the eastern Ontario airbase in Trenton where the flag-drapped coffins of fallen soldiers arrive and the forensics centre in Toronto that receives them. A stop in Trenton to visit the National Air Force Museum of Canada is recommended.

Base Borden Military Museum

CFB Borden
18 Waterloo Road East
P.O. Box 1000 Station Main , Borden ON, L0M 1C0
Telephone:1-705-423-3531
Fax:1-705-423-3623
Hours of operation: Weekdays: 0900 – 1200 hrs and 1300 – 1500 hrs Weekends & Holidays: 1300 – 1600 hrs.
Closed: The day following a long weekend, Christmas week and Easter weekend.
Guided tours by appointment only.

National Air Force Museum of Canada

Mailing Address: 8 Wing Trenton
PO Box 1000, Stn Forces , Astra ON, K0K 3W0
Telephone:1-613-965-2140
Fax:1-613-965-7352
Email: rcafmail@reach.net
World Wide Web: rcafmuseum.on.ca
Hours of operation: Summer 1 May - 30 Sep: Mon to Sun 1000 - 1700 hrs.
Winter 1 Oct - 30 Apr: Wed to Sun 1000 - 1700 hrs.
Mon and Tue Closed.

Cottage Life North--In Toronto?

If you are not enjoying a cottage country weekend getaway and always wanted to know about cottage country and the joys of cottaging, then you should attend the Cottage Life Show in Toronto.

The Fall Cottage Life Show will be held November 2-4, 2007 at the International Centre in Toronto. There will be a wide range of experts who can talk on subjects as diverse as winter safety in cottage country, building and renovation, cottage style and decorating, cooking and entertaining in cottage country, and everything to do with getting the most out of winter at your cottage.

See Cottage Life Show.

If you are intent on going north into cottage country for the weekend, and you do not own a cottage, you can choose from a number of options on the Ontario Travel North of Toronto website, such as cottage resorts, cottages and cabins, and other forms of cottage country accommodation.

Romantic Getaways North of Toronto

November is the month to take a break before the busy Christmas season with a trip North of Toronto for a Romantic Weekend away. Ontario Travel North of Toronto members have assembled more than 40 romantic getaways with package amenities.

A combination of Inns, Resorts, Cottages and hotels offer up some of the best value prices during the month of November. Locations from Orangeville in the south, to Sudbury in the north, Ottawa in the East and the Beaver Valley in the west are providing interesting package combos including a variety of amenities and meal plans. A sample of a a few names of the getaways are "Romance and Laughter", "Couples Relaxation", "Resort to Romance", and "Wine and Dine".

Make November a Month For Romance and travel Ontario north of Toronto

Lots of Fall Colours--at lower levels.

Although the Ontario Fall Colour report has stopped, don't let this deter you from travelling north of Toronto to enjoy hikes and fall colour walks. There are many forested areas that have brilliant views of yellows, with a few reds as well as amazing contrasts of the golden Poplar trees against the darker greens of Spruce , Cedars and Pines. The attached photos highlight the areas in and around Midland north of Toronto, taken on Friday October 26. A perfect fall colour drive into the Midland area would be the Old Fort Road Tour starting at Highway 400 and Highway 93.

See additional Ontario fall colour drives and road trips