Ontario Resort Destination News Week of Feb. 1, 2009

Barrie Ontario:


MacLarenArtCentre Puck Painting Performance at Winterfest Take Your Best Shot-Puck Painting
Platt will encourage everyone at Winterfest to pick up a hockey stick and make their mark with a simple wrist shot or slap shot, using pre-painted pucks in blue, red and yellow — the colours of local hockey team favourite, the Barrie Colts. More Details on Barrie Winterfest. Where to stay in Barrie Area: Barrie Accommodation.

Ontario Travel News Jan 23, 2009

Ontario Resort Becomes First to Offer Carbon Offsets Cedar Grove Lodge, an Ontario resort with a solid reputation for leadership in environmental responsibility, and Planetair, Canada’s premier provider of Gold standard carbon offsets, form a partnership to offer environmentally conscientious resort guests

February Is Winter Carnival Month In North Simcoe Experience North Simcoe's Winter Wonderland Winter is here and North Simcoe Southern Georgian Bay is celebrating with four (4) unique Winter Carnivals during the month of February.

The Rosseau, Canada's First JW Marriott Resort and Spa, Celebrates The 250th Anniversary of Scotland's Most Famous Bard MINETT, ON, January 21, 2008 - This weekend, guests of The Rosseau, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa will experience Scottish culture and tradition at the Resort’s Robbie Burns 250th anniversary celebration.

New Georgian Bay cruise added to summer line-up--early bird savings Honey Harbour, Ontario, Canada………….January 20, 2009. Visitors staying at the historic Delawana Inn Spa & Conference Resort this summer will be treated to two Georgian Bay cruise options. The Miss Midland, a-300 passenger vessel, will now take guests out for a 1 ½ hour sunset cruise on Mondays as well as Fridays.

New Port Severn Innkeeper Appointed Award Winning Innkeeper Wolfgang Stichnothe Moves to The Inn at Christie's Mill in Port Servern Ontario. The Inn is a member of Ontario's Finest Inns and Spas....

Ontario Ski and Snowboard Destinations Gear Up for National Ski Week Canada's National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Week Kicks off Saturday January 17-25 with many specials on lift tickets, lessons and r

Winter Carnivals North of Toronto in 2009

Winter in Ontario traditions continue north of Toronto. Family outdoor fun is one of the characteristics of the Canadian spirit which is often captured at one of the many of the winter carnivals, snow fests, winter fests, ice festivals and winter light festivals north of Toronto-skating, dog sledding, ice carvings, outdoor ice slides, ice mazes, snow tubing, toboggan rides, wood splitting, wood burning fires, axe throwing, lumberjack antics, snow tubing, hot chocolate, hot cider, face painting, clowns, smash-up derbies With the second year of the new long weekend family day on February 13 -16 more Ontario residents will have a greater opportunity to get outdoors in Ontario and experience winter.

Ontario Travel news Updates North of Toronto

Ontario Travel Tourism News

Ontario Ski and Snowboard Destinations Gear Up for National Ski Week Canada's National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Week Kicks off Saturday January 17-25 with many specials on lift tickets, lessons and rentals. Many ski areas are hosting.....

The Briars Resort & Spa "New Beginnings" This intimate weekend of self-discovery returns January 23-25 to help you start the year off right, taking your body and soul on another relaxing journey towards greater self-awareness and peace.

Sourthern Georgian Bay 2009 Visitor Guide The 2009 visitor Southern Georgian Bay Visitor Guidebook is available for Ontario Travel to the region of Georgian Bay form Penetanguishene, to Port Severn and Honey Harbour including Midland, Tiny Township Tay Towniship along the shores of Georgian Bay.

Ice and Snow Safety Conditions for Ice Fishing Ice Fishing quick links and tips on ice and snow safety, conditions, ice fishing regulations, getaway packages for ice fishing,Donna Cansfield urges Ice Fishing Anglers " to play it safe"............

2009 Links to Snow Reports, Ski reports Road Reports, Snowmobile Reports Snow and road reports are in one location. As the snow continues to fall north of Toronto and the lakes turn to ice, snow and winter enthusiasts can get all of their snow news before heading out on a winter vacation, ski or snowboard trip, snowmobiling getaway, snowshoe adventure, visit to an Ontario Provincial Park, family cross-country ski outing or romantic getaway. Links to a variety of Ontario snow, ski, trail and weather conditions north of Toronto.

Ice fishing Getaways and Packages North of Toronto

Kempenfelt Bay on Lake Simcoe is freezing over. This may provide an
early start to the icefishing season north of Toronto. Check out the many
ice fishing getaways and packages north of Toronto.

Trumpeter Swans on Kempenfelt Bay Lake Simcoe

During the snowy week of December 8th about a dozen Trumpeters showed up to feed on Kempenfelt Bay Lake Simcoe, along the Barrie Waterfront.

Most likely they arrived from the Wye Marsh in Midland.

Ontario Travel to Christmas New Year Getaways

Kiss Your Way to 2009 with December, Christmas, New Year Getaways North of Toronto North of Toronto………. December 2008. The arrival of snow has initiated some of the earliest openings for the ski and snowboard enthusiasts in the Snow Belt areas north of Toronto. Families are excited about snow tubing, and outdoor winter fun and a good base of snow for the many outdoor winter activities including snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The Ontario Ski and Snowboard reports are adding more destinations daily to the lists of resort destinations with snow and outdoor winter recreation north of Toronto. Many of the areas are offering early bird discounts before the Christmas season gets under way. A sample of the more than 100 Christmas New Year and winter getaways available on the Ontario Travel North of Toronto follows:
MISTLETOE KISS @ SAM JAKES INN: Guests receive their own piece of mistletoe as they are treated to two night holiday romance package! Two night package includes a gift of mistletoe, walking tour flyer, VQA wine basket, $50 spa credit, shopping coupons, 2 course a la carte dinner, country breakfast, special occasion treat. From $264 per person, based on double occupancy. Taxes & gratuities are extra.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS" CHRISTMAS ESCAPE @ THE CRANBERRY RESORT Bring family and friends and begin a tradition of moments that matter. Enjoy a hot chocolate by an open campfire; take a snowshoe walk along the Georgian Trail, Package starts at 139. per person double occupancy includes: Two nights hotel accommodation applicable taxes and gratuities not included; December 24th and 25th Christmas Day Brunch Christmas Gift Cranberry Activity Dollars (Value of over $330).
FOUR FRIENDS NEW YEAR CELEBRATION @ WOODLAND ECHOES Includes a personal four person hot tub, Cottage with 4 person hot tub and fireplace, Champagne, Fireworks, Irish coffee warm up, 2 nights accommodation in a 2 bedroom cottage, special New Years Eve surf and turf dinner, Welcome basket with party favours, starting at $150/person/night + Taxes and Gratuities
See more Christmas New Years getaways for additional locations north of Toronto. Also see a selection of special Romantic Getaways for couples traveling north of Toronto. Families looking for getaways in 2009 can select a variety of winter getaways including special snowshoeing, snowmobiling, skiing (x-country & downhill), snowboarding, snow tubing, ice fishing, ice skating in Ontario’s winter resort destinations north of Toronto -30-

Ontario Ski report. November 23, 2008

Ontario Ski and Snowboard Update!!

from Jack Lynch, Ministry of Tourism

Date: Sunday November 23, 2008

9:00a.m.

"The ski season is gradually getting under way across the province of Ontario and we have several alpine and

cross country centres open today".

These are the alpine resorts open today:

Horseshoe Valley Resort: Open today 8:30am - 4:30pm, open tomorrow, machine groomed granular, 45 cm base, no new snow, yes snowmaking, 4 lifts, 7 slopes, half pipe/tubing closed, terrain park open.

Snow Valley: Open today 9:00am - 4:00pm, closed tomorrow, machine groomed powder, 20-30 cm base, no new snow, yes snowmaking, 3 lifts, 4 slopes, half pipe/terrain park/tubing closed.

Mount St. Louis Moonstone: Open today 8:30am - 4:30pm, open tomorrow, machine groomed powder, 25-45 cm base, no new snow, yes snowmaking, 3 lifts, 10 slopes, half pipe/tubing closed, terrain park open.

These are the cross country resorts open today:

xc Horseshoe Valley Resort: Open today 8:30am - 4:30pm, open tomorrow, machine groomed granular, 10 cm base, no new snow, no snowmaking, 25 km open, track set and skating.

xc Highlands Nordic: Open today 8:30am - 5:00pm, open tomorrow, packed powder, 20 cm base, no new snow, no snowmaking, 9 km open, track set and skating.

xc Hardwood Ski: Open today 8:30am - 5:00pm, open tomorrow, packed powder, 16 cm base, no new snow, no snowmaking, 20 km. open, track set and skating, snowshoeing available.

Ski Season Open Near Barrie

Ontario Ministry of Tourism Reports: . Hardwood Ski northeast of Barrie and Highlands Nordic south of Collingwood have both opened their trails. Hardwood has opened 26 kms of trail and Highlands Nordic has 5 km open today. Several alpine operators continue to make snow and we expect to have a few areas open this weekend. Horseshoe Resort will be open Friday with as many as 3 slopes open.

Early Winter along Lake Simcoe

Snowfalls along Lake Simcoe near Barrie, November 2008 Ontario

Ontario Ski Season Underway

Central Ontario has been blanketed with lots of fresh snow since Saturday evening. Hardwood Ski , located just north east of Barrie, opened their cross country trails.
The Ministry of Tourism reports additional cross country centres to join the list for this upcoming weekend. and an alpine area or so open this weekend. Night time temperatures
will be in the -7 to -9 degree Celsius range this week, which will beideal for snow making . Book winter getaways .

Ontario's Top Destinations North of Toronto

In the recent Toronto Star about Ontario's favourite destinations, the survey identified the top 5 plus honourable mentions to the next five. 8 of the top 10 attractions are north of Toronto. In order they are Algonquin Park, Ottawa/Gatineau, Lake Superior, Killarney Provincial Park, Elora Gorge, Muskoka, Rideau Canal in winter, and the Thousand Islands Gananoque. For the most part the attractions can be accessed by heading north on Highway 400, however several are to the North East, and North West accessible from the 401.

Ontario's First Snow Over Kempenfelt Bay-Lake Simcoe

Ontario Travel to Fresh Snow

Fresh snow over Kempenfelt Bay Lake Simcoe is the first sign of winter north of Toronto. Many winter enthusiasts are busy tuning up snowmobiles, ice huts, skis, and skates for the upcoming winter er sports season.
Many festivals of lights will glisten with the backdrop of fresh snow. See our selection of 100's of winter getaways, festivals of lights and Santa Claus Parades. Be sure to check out winter road conditions before heading north of Toronto.

Winter in Ontario-Chalets, Condos, Cottages

Condo and chalet rentals http://www.400eleven.com/condo-chalet.html
are excellent fall & winter venues for large families, family reunions
or groups looking for the privacy of bedrooms with a common area for
socializing. Ontario winter time is ideal for refreshing activities
that the whole family can enjoy such as cross country skiing, downhill
skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice
fishing, ice skating, relaxing around the fireplace and soaking in the
hot tub or Jacuzzi.
Winter cottages with wood burining fireplaces are a special winter
travel treat when travelling north of toronto into Ontario's famous
cottage country. http://www.400eleven.com/private-cottages.html

Festivals of Lights, Santa Clause Parades

With the Christmas spirit surrounding us, many visitors north combine a fall getaway with one of the many Festivals of Lights and tree lighting ceremonies in the towns and cities throughout Ontario. Head north for a less crowded experience Always a wonder to enjoy the Santa Claus parades taking place in the many towns and cities north of Toronto. Plan ahead now for your Christmas-New Years Getaways your winter ski vacation.

Hopes for Lake Superior, Michigan, Huron & Georgian Bay

Tourism operators north of Toronto may be pleased with the election of Obama, as he has been a great supporter of the Great Lakes Clean up. See Georgian bay Echo for full news release on future of Great Lakes http://georgianbayecho.blogspot.com/2008/11/obama-good-for-georgian-bay.html

John Hartman-Cities-Only Two Days Left

Cities only tells half the story in John Hartman's exhibit at the Maclaren Art Centre in Barrie, Ontario.

Who would of thought, Parry Sound, Port Severn and Owen Sound would be side by side with creations from London, New York, Montreal and Halifax.

 

Horseshoe Valley Resort In the News.

Today’s Globe and Mail article “The British are coming to play and invest”, may be an indication of future tourism growth in a select number of four season destination areas. Sited in the article was the Horseshoe Valley Resort just north west of Barrie, where the new owners Skyline International Developments are building a complete four season resort destination by incorporating their 800 acres at Port McNicoll on Georgian Bay.

See Horseshoe Valley Resort.

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Ontario Travel Value Season Getaways North of Toronto

Romancing the Late Fall North of Toronto
Late Autumn, 2008. Some of the best value season rates and Ontario travel bargains are at the many Ontario Resorts, Inns, hotels and B& B’s North of Toronto. Late fall getaways can include film festivals, festivals of lights, hiking and biking, harvest dining, swishing through the fall leaves or just old fashioned relaxing in front of an outdoors bonfire. Outdoor enthusiasts will find less foliage and more wildlife. See fall getaways

Late October Ontario Travel Options

Haliburton and Midland destinations are offering interesting travel options this weekend.


Consider the 19'th annual Harvest Festival Tour throughout from Wyebridge to Downtown Midland. A stop at Mad Michael's is a must on your trip to Midland. See Building Photo.
The Haliburton Sculpture forest in the Village of Haliburton is adding a sculpture by Bill Lishman-A work originally created for Expo ’86 in Vancouver. Leishman is an Artist, sculptor, filmmaker, author, art director, inventor, pilot, naturalist, entrepreneur. See Sculputure Photo.