Can you think of anything cozier than a winter weekend getaway? As someone who HATES being cold, I’ve surprised myself these last few years in my effort to fully embrace winter. This has meant investing in warm gear and finding activities that get me outside. Since I can’t afford to spend winters in Costa Rica, I figured I might as well make the most of the longest season. But really, as a Canadian who lives through a solid 5 months of cold-af weather, I was sick of feeling cooped up & bored.
Over the past few years, one of the things I look forward to the most is escaping the city, and heading to the forest to enjoy a storybook winter landscape. This year I finally hit a stride with the perfect ratio of fresh-air activities & cozy down-time. Here’s a loose winter weekend getaway itinerary I’d happily repeat, year-after-year:
SKATE ON A FOREST TRAIL
Let’s be honest; unless you’re just learning, skating rinks can be boring. And there’s nothing worse than being bored AND cold. But have you ever tried skating through a forest? It’s kinda like going on a hike … except you’re gliding! My absolute favourite place to skate is at Arrowhead Provincial Park during Fire & Ice nights. Their 1.3km torch-lit trail winds through the forest and is the definition of enchanting. Luckily – given the popularity of this concept, new trails keep popping up in Ontario. I promise once you give it a try, it’ll be really hard to go back to that regular rink life.
HIT THE HILLS
As someone who has only had slightly terrifying alpine ski experiences, I’m more of a groomed cross-country ski track gal. But my friends were eager to spend a day downhill skiing and snowboarding. As they should! Luckily, our cabin was close to both Arrowhead and Hidden Valley, making this stretch of Highway 60 ideal for groups who may want to do both during their winter weekend getaway.
SNOWSHOE OR TAKE A HIKE
Our Airbnb host told me about her favourite trails in the area. So I bundled up and went on a magical solo hike at the Limberlost Forest and Wildlife Reserve. The road into & out of the park was gorgeous. So gorgeous that the driver in the car ahead of me kept stopping and getting out to snap pictures of the snow-covered trees. I’m not mad about it.
The trails here are great for snowshoeing, but I had a blast just hiking and testing out my tripod. I gotta say – when you’re spending an entire weekend with friends, some solitude can be the perfect way to recharge before a night of wine, games, and chit chat.
CREATE COMFORT WITH MEALS
If you’ve read any of my other posts, then you already know that food is one of my favourite ways to create comfort. And a winter weekend getaway is the perfect time to indulge. In fact, I’d argue it’s almost necessary to enjoy rich meals, big brunches, red wine, and an après ski (did I use that term correctly?) cheese board around a glowing fireplace. If your cabin rental doesn’t have a “real” fireplace, even an electric one (like ours) or some candles for ambience can do the trick. I love the feeling of drifting off at the end of a day spent in fresh air, followed by an evening with friends around a fire. See, doesn’t that sound nice? If you’re someone who dreads winter, then perhaps planning a winter weekend getaway might just be the thing to turn that around.