Have a Blast and Stay Fit in Ontario This Winter
The New Ontario Government Encouraging Families to Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
From the trail to the frozen pond, Ontario offers endless ways to get outside and enjoy the fresh winter air.
There are many low-cost sport and recreational activities to help the whole family stay fit and explore Ontario's great winter outdoors. You can:
- Hike a trail through the woods, or feel the soft crunch of the snow under yoursnowshoes. Ontario has hundreds of trails, parks and conservation areas that are perfect for winter treks and camping.
- Grab your skates! Whether it's pond hockey at the local outdoor rink or gliding across Ottawa's Rideau Canal Skateway, outdoor skating is a great Ontario winter tradition the whole family can enjoy.
- Find the best slopes for skiing or snowboarding with friends or family.
- Enjoy winter camping in a yurt, cross-country skiing in Ontario Parks, or ice-climbing and skiing in conservation areas across the province.
- Visit Ontariotravel.net to find your perfect family getaway package, including accommodations, dining, outdoor sports and other activities.
Before you set out on your winter adventure, you can take steps to stay safe by:
- Checking with local experts that the ice on local bodies of water is strong enough to support skating.
- Ensuring you and your family wear warm clothing and proper safety equipment, such as approved helmets, for any sport and recreation activities you participate in.
Families can get some fresh air and enjoy the province's outdoors this season in communities across Ontario.
Quick Facts
- Approximately 800,000 people use over 73,000 kilometers of trails available across the province.
- Every winter, Ottawa’s Rideau Canal turns into the world’s longest skating rink at eight kilometres long.
- Ontario has a network of more than 300 provincial parks; discover which ones offercross-country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, dog sledding, or tobogganing.
- Tourism is an important part of Ontario's economy. In 2011, Ontario's tourism accounted for over $23 billion and supported over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Quotes
Winter is a great time to have an outdoor adventure in Ontario. Every region in our province offers so many opportunities for families to get fit and have fun together. I invite everyone to explore Ontario, take in the spectacular winter scenery and stay active."
Ontario boasts hundreds of provincial parks that families can enjoy year round. I encourage everyone to get outdoors and discover the many wintertime activities taking place in Ontario Parks."
