Every winter, Simcoe County benefits from an abundance of snow, which makes it the perfect outdoor playground with activities for everyone. As an added bonus, it also borders popular winter destinations like Blue Mountain and Muskoka. This means there are even more adventures just a short distance from home.
While there’s no way to cover every winter experience Simcoe County has to offer, here are some local favourites.
Barrie's News Delivered To Your Inbox
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
1. Downhill skiing & snowboarding
No list of winter activities would be complete without downhill skiing and snowboarding. If this is your preferred passtime, you’ll be excited to learn that Simcoe County has more downhill runs than anywhere else in Ontario. Each destination is also equipped with snow making equipment to ensure perfect powder and the longest season possible.
There are three main locations in Simcoe County for downhill skiing and snowboarding:
Horseshoe Resort: Horseshoe Resort is located less than 10 minutes off ON-400 in Horseshoe Valley. It has 29 runs, 20 of which are open for night skiing and boarding each season. The resort offers accommodations, dining, a spa and more. And it boasts the longest beginner carpet in all of Ontario.
Mount St Louis Moonstone: With 36 runs, Mount St Louis Moonstone is one of the largest family owned ski resorts in Ontario. It also has the longest ski run in Simcoe County at 2 kms. The ski hill is located right off the 400 between the towns of Mt Saint Louis and Moonstone.
Snow Valley Ski Resort: Snow Valley is less than 20 minutes northeast of Barrie’s city centre. The resort has 21 runs and was named the Best Ontario Hill for Kids by Ski Canada Magazine.
Other ski locations include Hockley Valley, as well as member only clubs.
Many of these locations also host regular ski events and swaps throughout the season, as well as lessons and programs for skiers and boarders of various levels.
2. Cross country skiing and snowshoeing
If you're a cross country skier or snowshoer, there are lots of pay to play venues you can check out. Some of the most popular destinations for these winter activities include:
Harwood Ski & Bike is one of the best nordic ski and snowshoeing destinations in Simcoe County. They offer 40 km of rolling cross country trails with options for every skill level, as well as 11 km of snowshoeing trails.
If you’re looking for a unique cross country ski or snowshoe experience, be sure to stop by Wye Marsh in Midland. The marsh has over 25 km of trails where you can follow animal tracks and hand feed chickadees. They also have excellent snowshoe eco tours and a Moonlight Snowshoe event.
Another unique experience is Scenic Caves Nature Park in Collingwood. Here you can enjoy over 27 kms of trails through 200 year old forests with maples and oaks that are nearly 100 ft tall. You can even snowshoe across Southern Ontario’s longest suspension bridge and enjoy stunning views from the highest point on the Niagara Escarpment.
These are just some of the pay to play cross country ski and snowshoe destinations. You can also find excellent trails at Springwater Provincial Park Friday Harbour, Highlands Nordic and Horseshoe. There are also several trails that allow cross country skiing and snowshoeing at no charge, including:
- Simcoe County Forests
- Matchedash Bay Provincial Wildlife Area
- Oro-Medonte Rail Trail
- North Simcoe Rail Trail
- Sunnidale Arboretum
- Copeland Forest
3. Skating
Skating is another wintertime staple in Simcoe County. With so many large bodies of water, you can be sure to find lots of lake rinks, as well as community rinks and skate trails.
Every winter, Simcoe County Museum has a fantastic 1.2 km skating trail that winds through heritage buildings and forest paths. Fern Resort, outside of Orillia near Casino Rama, also has a skate trail. In the evenings, the 1.5 km path is lit with dozens of torches for a magical and unique experience.
In Barrie, there are 9 outdoor community rinks with more across Simcoe County.
One skating rink that everyone should try at least once is the Friday Harbour ice rink. Located at the heart of the Piazza, it’s one of the resort's many winter highlights. They even offer rentals for those who don’t have their own skates on hand.
RELATED: Scenic skating trails in and around Simcoe County ...
4. Ice fishing
When winter hits, the Lakes and bays around Simcoe County turn into ice hut villages. While there are many different lakes, bays and rivers to fish from, the most popular ice fishing locations are:
Kempenfelt Bay: You can find Kempenfelt Bay in downtown Barrie. It’s the city’s local waterfront and connects to Lake Simcoe. Here you’ll catch Whitefish, Lake Trout And Lake Herring.
Lake Simcoe: Many consider Lake Simcoe to be the ice fishing capital of North America. It’s an excellent lake for those looking to catch Whitefish, Lake Trout and Jumbo Yellow Perch. Northern Pike, Walleye, Black Crappie and Bluegills are also very common.
Lake Couchiching: Known as “Cooch” to the locals, this lake connects to Lake Simcoe by the Atherley Narrows. It’s shallow waters are full of Yellow Perch and Northern Pike
If you’re new to ice fishing or have yet to invest in a hut of your own, there are several ice hut rental companies across the county.
North of Orillia, you can also fish at Bayview Wildwood Resort and Fern Resort. Both destinations offer ice fishing packages for those looking for a staycation getaway in Simcoe County.
5. Fat Biking
Fat biking, also known as snow biking or snomoriding, is a great way to extend the outdoor biking season. The pastime became popular in 2005 but has gained more attention over the last few years.
Fat bikes have extra large tires and wide rims that make it easy to navigate snowy trails. They’re also a great option for those who prefer fast-paced exploration.
There are many great fat biking options in Simcoe County, including several free to use public trails. There are also many resorts and venues for those who prefer groomed trails.
Hardwood Ski and Bike doesn’t just offer biking in the warmer seasons. It’s also an excellent fat biking destination. It has a 5 km trail solely for fat biking and allows fat bikes on the cross country ski trails on Monday to Friday.
Another excellent fat biking location is Horseshoe Resort. They have 9 km of trail through Copeland Forest, one of the most beautiful old growth forests in Southern Ontario. Here you can take in towering trees and active winter wildlife while you bike the trails.
Additional pay to play trails are available at:
- Simcoe Mountain Bike Club
- Friday Harbour
- Nordic Highlands
6. Snowmobiling
Due to the lake-effect, Simcoe County is a great locale for snowmobilers, especially with there being more than 1000 kms of trails. Each of the trails are well maintained, offering varied riding and scenic views.
Most of the county is in District 8 of Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC). Simcoe County also links to Georgian Bay, Blue Mountain and Muskoka where you can find even more snowmobiling trails to enjoy. That means there are nearly unlimited opportunities to ride, whether you're looking for a quick loop or a multi-day journey.
If you don’t own your own snowmobile, there are rentals available through various local businesses. The county is also home to the National Snowcross Championships finals, which are held at Horseshoe Resort each year.
RELATED: 7 epic snowmobile trails you have to ride in Ontario ...
7. Other Winter Activities
That isn’t all there is to do in Simcoe County during the winter. There are many other exciting activities to enjoy from snowy hikes and dog sledding to sleigh rides and horseback riding. You can even try out the longest snow tubing hill in Ontario at Horseshoe Resort.
There are also excellent toboggan hills in nearly every town. If you’ve just moved here, be sure to check out Couchiching Golf & Country Club in Orillia or Sunnidale Park in Barrie.
And, of course, Simcoe County is home to several festivals that celebrate the season and everything that makes Barrie and the surrounding towns special. Some of the go to festivals include:
- Barrie’s Festival of Ice
- Severn or Midland’s Winterfest
- Winterama in Penetanguishene (oldest winter carnival in Ontario)
- Snowman Mania in Wasaga Beach
- Tiny Winter Carnival
With something for everyone, Simcoe County is the perfect place to call home for those who love winter adventures.
