Things To Do in Winter
Things To Do in Winter in Ontario: Your Ultimate Cottage Life Guide for 2025
Cottage Life Tips Series | Written by Jeffrey Braun, Realtor | Corcoran Horizon RealtyAs the snow begins to fall and the lakes freeze over, Ontario transforms into a winter wonderland filled with endless opportunities for adventure, relaxation, and family fun. Whether you're planning your first winter getaway or you're a seasoned cottager, there’s something undeniably magical about embracing the frosty season in cottage country.
In this edition of our Cottage Life Tips Series, we’re diving into the best things to do in winter across Ontario in 2025, including ski resort openings, cozy cottage escapes, and expert tips to make the most of your snowy season.
❄️ When Does Ski Season Start in Ontario?
If you're looking to kick off your winter with fresh powder, Ontario ski resorts are gearing up for a strong start to the 2025–26 season. Most hills are targeting early to mid-December, depending on weather and snowmaking conditions.📅 Projected Ski Resort Opening Dates in Ontario
✅ December 5–7 Weekend: Early Season Starters
Resort Projected Opening Date Notes: Horseshoe Resort, December 5, 2025. Publicly confirmed. One of the earliest openings. Smaller hills. Around December 6, Several hills across Ontario are projected to open.
✅ December 12–14 Weekend: Peak Kickoff
Resort Projected Opening Date Notes: Blue Mountain, December 11, 202.5. Officially announced. Opens at 9 a.m.
Snow Valley, Barrie, December 12, 2025, Confirmed via local resort updates.
✅ Later in December: Weather-Dependent Openings
Area Projected Timing Notes: Southern/smaller hills–late December Varies with temperature and snow coverage. Private ski clubs from mid-December to the holidays. Many open closer to Christmas or the New Year.
📌 Visit OnTheSnow’s Ontario page for live resort updates.
🏡 Embrace Winter Cottage Life
Cottage life isn’t just for the summer! One of the most rewarding things to do in winter is to escape the city and experience your cottage in a new light—think crackling fires, peaceful frozen lakes, and snow-covered pines.Imagine cozying up with a hot drink in a four-season Muskoka Room, taking a crisp walk along a frozen shoreline, or soaking in an outdoor hot tub under the stars. If you're thinking about purchasing or renting a winter-ready property, this is the season to explore options.
Winter Bonus: Touring properties in the off-season gives you a true feel for year-round living and helps you beat the spring buying rush.
🏠 Featured Winter-Ready Cottage: 450 Crooked Bay Rd, Six Mile Lake
📍 Georgian Bay, Muskoka | 🗓️ Open House: Sunday, Dec 7 | 11 AM–2 PMThis modern 4-season cottage on Six Mile Lake offers:
- ✅ 220+ feet of private shoreline
- ✅ Vaulted great room with open-concept kitchen, dining & living
- ✅ Muskoka Room with stunning lake views
- ✅ Main floor bedrooms + private upper suite & loft
- ✅ Oversized double garage
- ✅ Easy year-round access (minutes from Highway 400)
🌟 Other Winter Things to Do in Ontario
Besides skiing and cottage living, winter in Ontario is packed with experiences:🛷 Try These Winter Activities:
- Snowshoeing & cross-country skiing on hundreds of groomed trails
- Ice skating on local ponds, lakes, or at Arrowhead’s Ice Trail
- Snowmobiling across Ontario’s vast OFSC trail network
- Ice fishing on frozen lakes (check safety warnings!)
- Après-ski dining in charming villages like Port Carling, Collingwood, and Huntsville
🧤 Cottage Life Tips: How to Prepare for Winter in Muskoka
- 🔌 Install a backup generator (24kW+ recommended)
- 🔥 Maintain your fireplace or wood stove
- 💧 Protect pipes with winterized plumbing
- 🚗 Keep driveways plowed or heated for year-round access
- 📦 Stock your cottage with winter gear: snowshoes, shovels, emergency kits
🏡 Thinking About Buying or Renting a Cottage This Winter?
Winter is the best time to discover hidden gems and secure a prime location before the spring market boom. With lower competition and the ability to test a property's true year-round functionality, buyers and renters gain a major advantage.Let Realtor Jeffrey Braun help you discover your dream cottage lifestyle today.
📞 Start Your Winter Journey Now
🔗 JeffreyBraun.ca🏠 Corcoran Horizon Realty
📧 Contact us for showings, rental insights, and winter real estate tips!
📣 Final Word
Whether you're hitting the slopes at Blue Mountain or cozying up in a lakefront cottage, Ontario has everything you need to make Winter 2025 unforgettable.Take it from someone with years of real estate expertise—this season isn’t just about snow… It's about opportunity.
#thingstodo #cottage #cottagelife #muskoka #muskokarealestate #simcoecounty #simcoecountyrealestate #jeffreybraun #corcoranhorizonrealty
🏔️ Ski Resort Opening Dates & Conditions
- OnTheSnow – Ontario Projected Openings
https://www.onthesnow.com/ontario/projected-openings - CTV News – Ontario Ski Resorts Target Opening Dates
https://www.ctvnews.ca/barrie/article/ski-resorts-target-opening-dates/ - Blue Mountain Resort – Official Opening Day Info
https://www.bluemountain.ca/mountain/opening-day - Mount St. Louis Moonstone – Ski Central Overview
https://www.skicentral.com/mountst.louismoonstone.html - Mount St. Louis Moonstone – Resort Information
https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/mount-st-louis-moonstone/ - Snow Valley Barrie – Opening Day & Resort News
https://www.skisnowvalley.com/community/news/ - Horseshoe Resort – Official Hours & Updates
https://horseshoeresort.com/hours-of-operation/ - Evolve Camps – When Does Mount St. Louis Open?
https://evolvecamps.com/when-does-mount-st-louis-open/
🏡 Real Estate, Cottage Life & Lifestyle Resources
- Jeffrey Braun – Muskoka & Simcoe Real Estate Listings
https://www.jeffreybraun.ca - Corcoran Horizon Realty – Muskoka Luxury Real Estate
https://www.corcoranhorizon.com
