Muskoka comes alive in winter with unforgettable outdoor adventures, vibrant winter festivals, award-winning arts and culture, and cozy winter getaways. Glide through the iconic torchlight skate, relax in a lakeside sauna or hot tub, and experience breathtaking stargazing under Muskoka’s dark skies. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a seasonal adventure, discover why Muskoka is one of Ontario’s top winter destinations with these Top 10 Must-Do Winter Activities in Muskoka.

#1 Ice Skating Trails

Not only did we start the ice skating trail trend, but we perfected it! Check out these two amazing skating trails, both with their own unique twist to this age-old Canadian pastime.

A magical fairy tale skate through the Canadian forest in Huntsville, the Arrowhead Ice Skating Trail was named one of the world’s most stunning natural rinks by Travel + Leisure.

The Cranberry Ice Trail in Bala at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery is the only ice skating trail with an on-site winery. After a skate, relax by a rustling fire while sipping on hot mulled cider or wine. Better yet, finish with their wine tasting experience. Light the Night skating takes place on Saturday nights, weather dependent.

Muskoka has many places to skate across the region; click here for the full list. 

#2 Six Winter Festivals 

Winter in Muskoka is anything but sleepy—it’s a season full of festive energy, thanks to its iconic winter carnivals! These events bring communities together for weekends of snowy excitement, cozy charm, and starry nights. Here’s what’s in store:

• Bracebridge Fire & Ice Festival (Jan 30): Experience snow tubing down Main Street, fire performances, fireworks, interactive ice displays, and skating.
• Gravenhurst Winter Carnival (Feb 12–14): Enjoy exciting activities like the demo derby, Skokie’s Birthday Party, cardboard box races, and snow sculptures. Guests can enjoy yummy food from food trucks, live entertainment, and unique games that bring the community together.
• Dorset Snowball (Feb 12–13): Delight in pancake breakfasts, parades, and skating parties.
• Huntsville SnowFest (Jan 29-Mar 7): Several events, including Snowfest Funky Fridays glow-in-the-dark skating & live DJ, Silver Screen Saturdays, and Snowfest Sundae Fun Days.
• Baysville Winterfest (Feb 15): Family Day fun with activities for kids.
• Port Carling Winterfest (Feb 19-21): Enjoy skating trails, horse carriage rides, kids’ entertainment, and family-friendly competitions.

#3 Discover Magic in the Forest of Light

Step into an illuminated forest filled with thousands of dazzling lights, enchanting sounds and stunning displays at Sandhill Nursery in Huntsville. It is the perfect winter outing, date night or family adventure! 

The forest comes alive with an illuminated journey through glowing pathways, whimsical scenes, and radiant displays woven through the gardens and trees.  Let your curiosity be your guide as the light illuminates the secrets of the forest and the heart. Your journey begins now! 

#4 Dog Sledding

#6 Skiing 

Muskoka has 100’s of kms of top-notch cross-country ski trails, so it is no wonder that skiers flock from all corners of the province to strap on the skis. Some of the best trails in the province are found at Arrowhead Provincial Park, with a full fleet of ski rentals on-site for beginners. New this year, you can cross-country ski at Sandhill Nursery! (to be confirmed for 2026/2027)

Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is ideal for downhill skiers of all levels with eleven runs, a terrain park, kids camps, childcare, as well as ski & snowboard instruction and rentals. Ski and Stay packages are available from Deerhurst Resort and Hidden Valley Resort, both right next door to the ski hill. Book an overnight package with lift tickets included. 

Several resorts even boast their own cross-country ski trails so you can sleep, eat and play, all in one place:  Bayview Wildwood Resort (8km), Cedar Grove Lodge (5km), Deerhurst Resort (5km), Bondi Village Cottage Resort (20km) and Sherwood Inn (1km).

#7 Snowshoeing the Beautiful Backcountry

The snowshoe capital of Ontario! It is tough to have a list of Muskoka winter activities and not include snowshoeing. Recreational snowshoeing is immensely popular in Muskoka today, featuring hundreds of kms of great trails throughout the region. If you are looking for trails with rentals on-site, try Liv Outside in Bracebridge, Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery, in Bala, and Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville. New this year, you can snowshoe at Sandhill Nursery! (to be confirmed for 2026/2027)

If you would like an experienced and friendly guide to show you all the best snowshoeing hot spots, Find Your Wild with a guided snowshoe safari in Muskoka or Algonquin Park.

#8 One Horse Open Sleigh Rides

Is there anything more magical than a horse-drawn sleigh ride through a winter wonderland? The perfect winter activity for an afternoon with your family or a romantic evening ride with your special someone. Back of Beyond Equine Centre offers memorable winter sleigh rides at their farms. Don’t miss the Romantic Evening Sleigh Ride that ends at a cozy fire. 

#9 Ice Fishing

This great Canadian winter pastime, ice fishing, is tremendously popular in Muskoka. 

Muskoka Shores Cottages on 3 Mile Lake, in the Township of Muskoka Lakes, has ice huts available for daily rentals, as well as an overnight ice fishing package complete with cottage accommodation and ice hut rental.

Bondi Cottage Resort on Lake of Bays. Enjoy the open-air or fish in your own pop-up hut when conditions permit. They also have two four-person ice huts with propane heaters, which are subject to availability in the winter.

Silver Gull Outdoors in Gravenhurst provides beginner and family-friendly guided ice fishing experiences. Book a half or full day excursion with them now!

#10 Skating Rinks 

Ice Rinks:

• Cedar Canoe Books Ice Rink at River Mill Park: The Cedar Canoe Books Ice Rink at River Mill Park in Downtown Huntsville transforms winter into a magical playground for families and visitors alike. This isn’t your average ice rink – it’s the epicentre of a season-long celebration! The unmonitored rink is open daily (weather permitting), and becomes an enchanted outdoor venue each evening as a sparkling canopy of lights illuminates the ice until 9 pm. 
• Memorial Park: Memorial Park in downtown Bracebridge has an ice skating rink that wraps around the park and carves in and out of Bracebridge landmarks.
• Annie Williams Park: Annie Williams Memorial Park is located in Bracebridge, Ontario, at 50 Santa’s Village Road along the Muskoka River. Two areas to skate, one for purely skating and the other for hockey.  
• Clear Lake Brewing, Torrance: A backyard ice rink is a labour of love. Theirs is no different. It’s a ‘family’ project that’s been built and maintained by staff, friends and neighbours. It is open for use (subject to weather & ice conditions) during brewery hours (9 am-8 pm), open to everyone.
• Hanna Park Rink: A local 200m free outdoor skating area located at Hanna Park in Port Carling. Run by volunteers and open as long as possible in the winter.
• Dwight Beach: Short skating trail located at Dwight Beach. Be safe, lace up your skates, and embrace the cold! Learn more
• Dwight Outdoor Rink: Outdoor rink, open seasonally and weather dependent. Lighting for evening use. Learn more
• Baysville Outdoor Rink: At the Dam Outdoor Rink located near the Baysville dam. Learn  more
• Dorset Ice Palace: Outdoor Rink. Maintained by the Township of Algonquin Highlands. Learn more
• Wharf Sports Field, Gravenhurst: The Town has two outdoor ice surfaces located at the Wharf Sports Field at 1111 Bay St.
• Sandhill Nursery: New this year, Sandhill Nursery in Huntsville has transformed into a winter wonderland, with skating available!