Muskoka doesn’t hibernate in winter—it fires up! From six vibrant winter festivals and award-winning artists to cozy escapes with saunas, hot tubs, and nights under the stars, there’s no shortage of magic. Don’t forget to experience the unforgettable torchlight skate. Fire up your winter adventure in Muskoka!
#1 Ice Skating Trails
Not only did we start the ice skating trail trend, we perfected it! Check out these two amazing skating trails, both with their own unique twist to this age-old Canadian pastime.
A magical skate through the Canadian forest, the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail was named one of the world’s most stunning natural rinks by Travel + Leisure
The Cranberry Ice Trail at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, is the only ice skating trail with an onsite winery. After a skate, relax by a rustling fire while sipping on hot mulled cider or wine. Better yet, finish with their wine tasting experience.
Muskoka has many places to skate across the region, click here for the full list.
#2 SIX Winter Festivals
Winter in Muskoka is anything but sleepy—it’s a season full of festive energy, thanks to its iconic winter carnivals! These events bring communities together for weekends of snowy excitement, cozy charm, and starry nights. Here’s what’s in store:
- Bracebridge Fire & Ice Festival (Jan 25): Experience fire performances, fireworks, interactive ice displays, and skating.
- Port Carling Winterfest (Jan 31-Feb 2): Enjoy skating trails, horse carriage rides, kids’ entertainment, and family-friendly competitions.
- Gravenhurst Winter Carnival (Feb 14–17): Four days of fun with lumberjack demos, puddle jumps, polar bear dips, and live shows.
- Dorset Snowball (Feb 14–15): Delight in pancake breakfasts, parades, and skating parties.
- Huntsville SnowFest (TBA): A one-day extravaganza featuring live music, buskers, and ice performers.
- Baysville Winterfest (Feb 17): Family Day fun with activities for kids.
Bundle up and experience Muskoka’s winter magic!
#3 Mush! The Ultimate Winter Bucket-List Experience
The thrill of the Arctic and one of the great Canadian winter experiences is ready for you to try in Muskoka. Mush through the beautiful Muskoka wilderness behind your team of dogs at North Ridge Ranch. Located in Huntsville, North Ridge Ranch is a well-known dogsledding operation in Muskoka. They offer various dogsledding experiences, including half-day and full-day tours, as well as evening tours. You can meet and interact with their friendly Alaskan Huskies and enjoy the stunning Muskoka wilderness.
#4 Fat biking through the snowy wilderness
No other winter activity has grown in popularity as much as fat biking in recent years. Fat biking is one of the greatest winter activities you can get into, and it is so simple to do. Liv Outside in Bracebridge has rentals and trails on-site, and Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville has bikes for rent with trails nearby.
#5 Sleddin’
With over 1200 km of exceptionally groomed trails and unlimited touring opportunities, we’ve got your snow! Click here for a full list of loops, trails, and rental options.
New to sledding or don’t have your own machine? Explore Muskoka’s incredible winter beauty on guided tours with Yamaha Motor Adventures right at Deerhurst Resort. Both adult and children’s experiences are available, and complete instructions and outwear are provided.
If you have your own sled, Muskoka offers some of the best sled and stay packages you will find! If you are looking for the ultimate snowmobile tour, take the RAP (Round Algonquin Park Tour) and park n’ ride from Muskoka.
#6 Skiing
Muskoka has 100’s of kms of top notch cross country ski trails, so it is no wonder that skiers flock from all corners of the province to strap on the skis. Some of the best trails in the province are found at Arrowhead Provincial Park, with a full fleet of ski rentals on-site for beginners.
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is ideal for skiers of all levels with eleven runs, a terrain park, kids camps, childcare, as well as ski & snowboard instruction and rentals. Ski and Stay packages are available from Deerhurst Resort and Hidden Valley Resort, both right next door to the ski hill. Book an overnight package with lift tickets included.
A number of resorts even boast their own cross country ski trails so you can sleep, eat and play, all in one place: Bayview Wildwood Resort (8km), Cedar Grove Lodge (5km), Deerhurst Resort (5km), Bondi Village Cottage Resort (20km) and Sherwood Inn (1km).
#7 Snowshoeing the Beautiful Backcountry
The snowshoe capital of Ontario! It is tough to have a list of Muskoka winter activities and not include snowshoeing. Recreational snowshoeing is immensely popular in Muskoka today, featuring hundreds of kms of great trails throughout the region. If you are looking for trails with rentals on-site, try Liv Outside in Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery in Bala, and Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville.
If you would like an experienced and friendly guide to show you all the best snowshoeing hot spots, Find Your Wild with a guided snowshoe safari in Muskoka or Algonquin Park.
#8 One Horse Open Sleigh Rides
Is there anything more magical than a horse drawn sleigh ride through a winter wonderland? Perfect winter activity for an afternoon with your family or a romantic evening ride with your hunny. Back of Beyond Equine Centre offer memorable winter sleigh rides at their farms. Don’t miss the Romantic Evening Sleigh Ride that ends at a cozy fire.
#9 Ice Fishing
The great Canadian winter pastime, ice fishing is tremendously popular in Muskoka.
Muskoka Shores Cottages on 3 Mile Lake has ice huts available for daily rentals, as well as an overnight ice fishing package complete with cottage accommodation and ice hut rental.
Bondi Cottage Resort on Lake of Bays. Enjoy the open-air or fish in your own pop-up hut when conditions permit. We also have two four-person ice huts with propane heaters, which are subject to availability in the winter.
Cedar Grove Lodge Try ice fishing in their very own ice hut “Penguin” (license required; obtain before you arrive)
Bayview Wildwood Resort Ask about their complimentary ice fishing equipment with your stay.
