Top 5 Winter Activities in Muskoka: Ice Skating, Skiing, Dog Sledding and More

Call 705-996-6799 Winter cottage rentals 2-day winter itinerary

A snowy fire pit behind Muskoka Elements, a four-season cottage near Bala.

Want the whole weekend planned? Our Muskoka in winter cottage itinerary and snow day plan turns these activities into a 2-day schedule, and the Ontario long weekends cottage planner lists Family Day (Monday, February 15, 2027) and March Break dates.

1. Ice skating trails

Arrowhead Provincial Park, Huntsville. The park's 1.3 km ice trail loops through the forest, 7 km north of Huntsville off Highway 11. Ontario Parks says skating usually begins in January, weather permitting, and the trail is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Fire and Ice nights, held every Friday and Saturday from late January, the trail reopens from 6 to 9 p.m. Reserve a daily vehicle permit online up to five days ahead (from 7 a.m.); without one you may be turned away on busy days. Skates rent at the Pavilion beside the Visitor Centre. Source: Ontario Parks Arrowhead winter guide; check the Arrowhead snow report before you drive.

Ice Trail at Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery, Bala. A 1.2 km skating loop around 12 acres of cranberry beds, open annually from December 27 to March Break, weather permitting, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every Saturday night the trail is lit with tiki torches for skating from 6 to 9 p.m. Rentals are available; no pets, hockey or strollers on the ice. Source: Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery.

2. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

Arrowhead is the easy place to start: Ontario Parks lists 28 km of classic ski trails, 16 km of skate ski trails and more than 8 km of marked snowshoe trails, with ski and snowshoe rentals at the Pavilion. Skiing typically starts in mid-December. Walking and snowshoeing are not allowed on the ski trails, and pets are not allowed on the ski or skating trails. Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery in Bala also has snowshoe trails beside its Ice Trail.

3. Downhill skiing and snowboarding

Hidden Valley Highlands in Huntsville (Muskoka Ski Club) has run since 1961 and calls itself Muskoka's only ski hill. Its 2026 to 2027 pass conditions list night skiing from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from December 18, 2026 to March 13, 2027, plus Sunday, February 14, 2027 on Family Day weekend. From The Mara it is about 35 km by road. If you stay at Bayside in Midland, Mount St. Louis Moonstone in Coldwater is about 41 km by road.

The wellness room at The Mara near Huntsville: sauna, hot tub and glass doors to the water.

4. Dog sledding

North Ridge Ranch in Huntsville has run its kennel for more than two decades and offers half-day and one-hour guided tours. You get a lesson and learn to mush your own team; there are no solo sleds, and reservations are required for both tours. Weekend spots go first, so book your tour as soon as you have cottage dates.

5. Fat biking and skijoring

Ontario Parks' current Arrowhead winter guide says the 3 km Lookout Trail is groomed as a multi-use trail for fat biking, snowshoeing, hiking, cross-country skiing and skijoring, and it is the only trail in the park where fat biking and skijoring are allowed. Check the trail map and snow report before you go.

Muskoka winter events 2026 to 2027

These are the dates we could confirm on each organiser's or town's own page. Where no date is published yet, we say TBA: check before you go.

Last checked October 5, 2026. Outdoor ice and ski dates depend on the weather. For a full weekend built around these events, see our Muskoka winter cottage itinerary.

Winter-ready cottages near the action

In winter the cottage is half the trip. These rentals have a sauna, hot tub or fireplace for cold nights. See every option on our winter cottage rentals page.

The Mara Pets by approval

3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 8 · Balsam Chutes, Huntsville · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval

The Mara, Huntsville.

A four-season waterfront retreat at Balsam Chutes: a sauna, hot tub and hanging hammock in a wellness room with glass doors to the water, an indoor fireplace, a private theatre with a 75 inch screen and a game room. About 34 km by road to Arrowhead and 35 km to Hidden Valley.

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Muskoka Elements Pets by approval

3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 6 · Hesners Lake, near Bala · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval

Muskoka Elements, Bala.

A four-season, single-level cottage on Hesners Lake with a cedar barrel sauna and a Muskoka room, close to the Ice Trail in Bala. Pets stay leashed on the property.

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Over the Moon Pets by approval

3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 7 · Bala, Muskoka · about 2 hours from Toronto · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval

Over the Moon, Bala.

A renovated four-season cottage in Bala with an electric barrel sauna among the pines and a stone fireplace for after the skate.

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Hemlock Hideaway Pets by approval

3 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 7 · Parry Sound · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval

Hemlock Hideaway, Parry Sound.

Hot tub, games room, pool table, arcade and a wood-burning fireplace, about 4.5 km by road from downtown Parry Sound for Snowfest weekend.

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Bayside Pets by approval

4 bedrooms · 2 bathrooms · sleeps 12 · Georgian Bay, Midland · about 1.5 hours from Toronto · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets with approval

Bayside, Midland.

A gas fireplace, giant indoor games and a covered lakeview patio for year-round use. Mount St. Louis Moonstone ski resort in Coldwater is about 41 km by road.

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Good Times Pets by approval

6 bedrooms · 3 bathrooms · sleeps 12 · Morrison Lake, Gravenhurst · about 1.5 hours from Toronto · small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets by approval

Good Times, Gravenhurst.

Hot tub, arcade, PS5, foosball, air hockey and two kitchens for 12 guests near Gravenhurst, close to Winter Carnival weekend. Small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets by approval.

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Bringing the dog?

Dogs can't join you on the Arrowhead skating or ski trails, or on the Ice Trail in Bala, so plan the skate for when someone can stay with the dog at the cottage or by the Arrowhead firepit. Good Times, The Mara, Muskoka Elements, Over the Moon, Hemlock Hideaway and Bayside accept small, hypoallergenic, non-shedding pets by approval; for larger dogs, share weight and breed for approval. A pet fee applies. See all of them on our pet-friendly cottage rentals page.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best winter activities in Muskoka?

Skating the 1.3 km forest ice trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, downhill skiing at Hidden Valley Highlands in Huntsville, a dog sledding tour, and a winter festival such as the Gravenhurst Winter Carnival (February 12 to 14, 2027). End each day at a cottage with a sauna, hot tub or fireplace.

How long is the Arrowhead skating trail?

Ontario Parks lists the Arrowhead ice trail at 1.3 km. The park also has 28 km of classic ski trails, 16 km of skate ski trails and more than 8 km of marked snowshoe trails.

When does skating open at Arrowhead, and do I need a reservation?

Ontario Parks says skating usually begins in January, depending on the weather. Daily vehicle permits can be reserved online up to five days ahead from 7 a.m., and on busy days the park sells out, so reserve ahead. Fire and Ice nights need the "Day Use + Fire and Ice Evening Skate" permit.

Can I bring my dog skating in Muskoka?

Not on the ice. Pets are not allowed on the Arrowhead skating trail or ski trails, but Ontario Parks says they are welcome by the firepit area at the start of the skating trail. Pets are welcome at Muskoka Lakes Farm and Winery, but not on its Ice Trail.

Is there downhill skiing in Muskoka?

Yes. Hidden Valley Highlands in Huntsville calls itself Muskoka's only ski hill. Its 2026 to 2027 pass conditions list night skiing from 4 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from December 18, 2026 to March 13, 2027.

When is the Bracebridge Fire and Ice Festival 2027?

The Town of Bracebridge lists Saturday, January 30, 2027. Check the Town's events page before you go, as details can change.

Which cottages are best for a Muskoka winter weekend?

Pick a four-season cottage with a sauna, hot tub or fireplace: The Mara near Huntsville, Muskoka Elements and Over the Moon near Bala, Hemlock Hideaway in Parry Sound, Bayside in Midland or Good Times near Gravenhurst. Call 705-996-6799 to ask about winter access before you book.