By admin Monday, December 21, 2020

Who says weekend getaways are just for the girls? If you’re looking to plan a guys trip this winter please make sure to always check https://www.ontario.ca/page/emergency-information for up to date COVID -19 restrictions and protocols.  Whether you are planning a guy’s trip with family or friends, despite the many restrictions there are still many great activities and adventures to be had. Try something new and daring like ice climbing, ice fishing or snowmobiling. Book a resort that lets you hit the slopes and do apres ski after or relax at a spa for some well needed R&R. Bonding time is always a welcome way to bring in a new year and an excuse to get outside in the chilly winter months.

Resorts & Spas

Yes, you can still book a resort with your bubble and do it safely! Try Blue Mountain in Collingwood, for their ski and stay packages. Hit the slopes during the day and order room service at night for apres ski. Blue Mountain also has an extensive spa where you can indulge in the ultimate R&R after a long day on the hills. Nearby, winter offers a different backdrop for a day at the thermal baths at the Scandinave Spa to relax those sore muscles after skiing. Make sure to book well in advance. Near Orillia, Horseshoe Resort is an ideal place for a variety of activities on offer for your crew. Not only are there 29 downhill ski and snowboard runs as well as 30km of cross country ski trails on offer day and night, there is so much more. Fly off tubing hills, glide on slopeside skating trails, go fat biking and snowshoeing, or try a guided snowmobiling tour through a forest trail via Yamaha adventures. The resort has also renovated its 44 Slopeside condos, which are fully furnished with a gourmet kitchen and fireplace, overlooking the ski hills. For those Muskoka-bound, Deerhurst Resort is your base and offers a slew of activities including your classic Canadian sports, snowmobiling tours, a ski hill next door at Hidden Valley Highlands, and new to the resort, Fat Tire Biking, where you off-road on a bicycle with oversized tires.  Cozy cabin-like rooms await you after a full-day of winter exploration.

Dog Sledding

For a truly unique Canadian winter experience, make your way out to Muskoka and try a dog sledding tour, which is perfect for small groups. North Ridge Ranch located in Huntsville is a family-run business where their guides take you out into the forest led by their Alaskan huskies for a magical day of exploring! In Parry Sound, try an overnight at Ahmic Lake Resort where you can choose from dog sledding, snowmobiling, or even a sleigh ride during the day.

Ice Climbing

Get the adrenaline pumping with your group for an adventure ice climbing in some of Ontario’s most beautiful destinations. A little over an hour away from Toronto, head to One Axe Pursuits in Elora where you’ll climb 60-foot ice climbing routes. Expert instruction, belay, and full equipment are included. At Kushog Lake in Bracebridge, you’ll have two different climbs at 70-100 vertical feet in the gorgeous forests of Muskoka with the popular Liv Outside guides, ideal for beginner and intermediate climbers.

Winter Sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, and More!

This is the year to hit the slopes! Try a new hill or go to your favourite with your boy bubble. Hockley Valley in Mono offers 16 ski runs and two terrain parks. 20 minutes north of Barrie, Mount St. Louis Moonstone is one of the most popular ski resorts in Ontario and is ideal for beginners. It offers 36 slopes, 9 chair lifts, and 3 magic carpet lifts. For advanced levels, the resort offers 6 black diamond hills. Make it a weekend with the boys at Arrowhead Provincial Park. Not only do they have 28 km of classic ski trails, 8km of snowshoe trails, and a tube hill, they are also best known for their ice skating trail. Skate through the magical forest of their 1.3 km skating trail and don’t miss out on their Fire and Ice Night where you can skate in the night lit by tiki torches. Make sure to visit during a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds.  Near Ottawa, Calabogie Peaks features a 761 foot vertical drop and a long green trail, ideal for beginners. 25 minutes west of Kanata, check out Mount Pakenham, known for its great conditions for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing trails. Get off the beaten path at Hiawatha Highlands in Sault Ste. Marie to ski and skate along 50km of trails that are lit until 10 p.m. Snowshoeing and fat biking are also available.

Be safe and have a wonderful winter season!

Natalie & Phil