The key to enjoying winter is simple: embrace the chill in the air, and don’t let it stop you from getting out and enjoying the season’s glory. Canadians are known for making the most of winter — and that’s especially the case in Ontario, where playing in the snow is something of an art form.
The province’s north, in particular, leans into its snowscapes with a range of outdoor activities that’d make even the most ardent summer lover appreciate the appeal of the cold. We’re talking extreme sports, leisurely pursuits, and distinctly Canadian pastimes like biking on a frozen lake. Here’s how to take advantage of Northern Ontario’s winter magic.
Skiing and snowboarding
Photo: Destination Ontario
Skiing and snowboarding are two of the most popular ways Canadians welcome the snowy season, and Northern Ontario’s slopes are beloved. Take the Superior Ski Hills — otherwise known as the Superior 5 — set within the boreal forest arcing along the north shore of Lake Superior. Loch Lomond Ski Area and Mount Baldy in Thunder Bay are the two biggest hills in the pack — the others are Mount Fairweather in Atikokan, the Trestle Ridge Ski Hill in Terrace Bay, and the Kiwissa Ski Hill in Manitouwadge. They range in difficulty, with Loch Lomond alone delivering 18 different runs evenly split between beginner, intermediate, and difficult, and also give the option of trying out tubing and other more laid-back activities.
Searchmont Resort, just north of Sault Ste. Marie, is another name to know if you like big terrain, with the largest vertical drop in Northern Ontario (although there’s also a great learner’s area here as well). Elsewhere, over in North Bay, the Laurentian Ski Hill is a local spot with beginner and more advanced runs that are conveniently reachable by city bus. It’s a great place to take a ski lesson based on your skill level if you’d like a refresher (or introduction) before clicking into your skis. Plus, no day on the slopes would be complete without a little après-ski, and this resort’s snug, unpretentious Average Joe’s Lower Lounge does it right.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
Photo: Destination Ontario
Not all winter sports are about speed. Northern Ontario has plenty to offer mindful travellers looking for a gentler way to get out and enjoy the freshly fallen snow. Make no mistake: snowshoeing and cross-country skiing will still get your heart pumping, but these kinds of activities allow for a slowed-down approach.
The Superior Cross Country Ski Club is a stunning place to try cross-country skiing in Northern Ontario. The club has more than 10 kilometres (6 miles) of groomed trails for cross-country skiing across two picturesque zones: the Nordic Trail area and Rainbow Falls Provincial Park. Farther south near Sault Ste. Marie, Stokely Creek Lodge offers plentiful terrain, with some 100 kilometres (60 miles) of trails. Heading east closer to Sudbury, the Onaping Falls Nordics Ski Club maintains groomed trails at Windy Lake Provincial Park.
For a comprehensive experience, book the 3-night Algonquin Snowshoe and Chalet package with Voyageur Quest. You’ll get out on snowshoes on the Forgotten Trails near Algonquin Park before retiring to your cozy chalet for the night. Or, if you really want to go full Northern Ontario this winter, book a guided ice fishing excursion in Algonquin Park.
Fat biking and ice biking
Photo: Patrick Gilbert / Destination Ontario
Think biking is exclusive to warm season? Think again. In Northern Ontario, winter brings fat biking and ice biking. Hiawatha Highlands Conservation Area, Whitefish Island National Historic Site, and the Hub Trail near Sault Ste. Marie are bucket-list-worthy spots to pursue the former. Beeline to Vélorution Bike & Ski for fat bike rentals and guidance on the best trails based on weather and snow levels. They’re located just around the corner from some of the best winter biking trails in the region, so you can grab your bike and go.
When you’re not rolling along snow-covered trails on a fat bike, head to Lake of the Woods for a next-level winter cycling experience. Ice bikes are available at Mosswood Adventures & Rentals, where you can hop on your bike and cruise across the frozen lake on two wheels. It may sound intimidating, but ice bikes are designed with skates and skis on the front, making it easy for cyclists of various ages (pedallers can start as early as age six!) and abilities to navigate across the natural ice surface.
Snowmobiling and ATVing
Photo: Virgil Knapp / Destination Ontario
Few activities are more memorable for experiencing the winter magic unfurl around you than zipping along snowy trails on a recreational vehicle. Northern Ontario has options for both self-guided and expert-guided snowmobiling and ATVing adventures. Come Play In The Snow is a family-run snowmobile and ATV tour operator that works with local guides who know the landscape intimately. There’s also Lake Land Backcountry Adventures, which offers both afternoon rides and multi-day guided snowmobile tours for those who really want to get deep into Northern Ontario’s winter landscapes.
Dog sledding
Photo: Destination Ontario
Dog sledding is a millennia-old tradition in Canada, beginning with Indigenous Peoples who used it as a mode of transportation and hunting. Inuit and Northern Native communities relied on dog sleds to traverse the frozen terrain, and it remains an important practice as well as a symbol of Canadian heritage today.
Borealis Sled Dog Adventures in Vermillion Bay takes travellers on trails used centuries ago by Ojibwe hunters. The multi-day tour includes nights in heated wall tents and expert-led excursions. Elsewhere, North Ridge Ranch in Huntsville is a family-run outfitter with over 20 years of experience — and over 60 well-loved Alaskan huskies! The ranch allows visitors to get to know the pups and learn basic dog sledding skills in its half-day and one-hour tour packages.
From dog sleds and snowmobiles to cross-country skis and snowboards, it doesn’t take long to see why Northern Ontario is one of Canada’s premier winter playgrounds. Start planning your trip now for a season you’ll never forget. 