Plan Your Winter Adventure to Arrowhead Park
Already one of Ontario’s most popular winter attractions, the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail was named as one of the Top 50 Canadian Winter Experiences by Flight Network, and one of 19 Stunning Natural Ice Skating Rinks Around the World by Travel+Leisure.
What’s different this year?
Arrowhead Provincial Park is making it easier than ever to plan your next outdoor adventure with the introduction of paperless day use permits! Gone are the days of stopping by the office to check in, now you can simply purchase your permit online up to five days in advance and hit the trails as soon as you arrive.
If you want to guarantee your access, it’s critical to buy your permit in advance.
But that’s not all that’s new at Arrowhead this year. Ski enthusiasts will be excited to hear that ski races are back on after a two-year hiatus. However, with the added excitement of the races also comes a bit more crowds, so make sure to book your trip early or consider visiting on a different day. The race dates for this year are January 26 – 28, 31, February 9 and March 7.
If you’re planning on attending the popular Fire & Ice Nights, you’ll be pleased to know that you can now reserve your permit online in advance too! You’ll enjoy the beauty of skiing under torchlight through a magical forest.
Fire and Ice Nights: Friday & Saturday Evenings
Book your permit up to 5 days in advance! When reserving your permit, make sure you select the “Day Use + Fire and Ice Evening Skate” option.
The Legend of Muskoka’s “Fairy Tale Skate Through the Canadian Forest” Continues to Grow!
Very Important ‘Insider’ Information
- Saturdays are the busiest days for the Ice Skating Trail, and it often reaches capacity.
- To avoid disappointment and for the absolute best experience, visit midweek, Sundays and pre book your permit.
- Should you find yourself unable to get into the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail because it has reached capacity, check out the Cranberry Ice Trail, the only skating trail in the world with its own on-site winery. Post-skate, cozy around their campfire and sip on a cup of hot mulled wine.
- Looking for more rinks and skating in Muskoka? Click here for our comprehensive Skating Guide in Muskoka.
Where to Stay
Check out these great accommodations nearby. From resorts to cottages to b&bs, there is a cozy room with your name on it!
- Cedar Grove Lodge
- Hidden Valley Resort
- Home 2 Suites by Hilton Huntsville
- Rodeway Inn King William
- Deerhurst Resort
- Comfort Inn
- Holiday Inn Express
- Escape North -Muskoka A-Frame
- Trillium Resort & Spa
- Tally Ho Inn
Related: click here to see our top winter vacation packages
Ontario’s best kept secret…might not be a secret anymore. The Ice Trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park has graduated from local folklore, to becoming a mainstay in Muskoka’s winter season! Opened in 2012 on a whim and a vision, the Ice Skating Trail has become one of the region’s most popular winter attractions, and one of the province’s most sought after winter ‘bucket list’ experiences.
The 1.3 km Ice Skating trail winds through the thick Muskoka forest and is a winter experience like no other. If you get to skate the loop after a fluffy snowfall, consider yourself in luck. Being surrounded on all sides by snow-covered evergreen trees is an absolutely stunning sight, and one that you won’t soon forget. Bring your family and watch your kids whip around the track with the perfect backdrop, or surprise your loved one with a romantic ‘hand-holding’ skate through the forest.
Important Info to Note:
- The Ice Skating trail’s open status is subject to weather conditions. In season’s past, the trail has been open from the first week in January to roughly the second week in March
- For latest updates on the Ice Skating Trail, check out Arrowhead Provincial Park’s daily update on their Twitter
- The best time to visit the ice skating trail is midweek. Less traffic on the ice means the ice is in considerably better condition
- Check out the Ski Report on the Ontario Parks website (updated daily at 9:00 a.m.) for skate and ski trail conditions
- Follow Arrowhead on Twitter for live updates
- Please note that Arrowhead Provincial Park can get extremely busy during peak times (the weekend) and often reaches capacity. Plan ahead and check @ArroPark on Twitter for real-time capacity updates. Mid-week is often the best time to visit. For more information and to pre-book, please click here.
Arrowhead Provincial Park’s ice skating trail may have garnered the park a lot of attention, but the truth is they have long been renowned as Muskoka’s winter playground. The provincial park is regarded as one of the top cross country ski destinations in Ontario, with 28km of classic ski trails and 16km of skate ski trails, ranging in difficulty From beginner to expert. The park also features a number of snowshoeing trails, with rentals for both snowshoeing and cross country skis available on site. If you need a break from the cold, the park has a number of heating stations with wood burning stoves for you to cozy up inside, perfect if you packed a lunch for your day of winter fun!
