Riding in a Winter Wonderland

Toronto may have a reputation as a city of winter whiners, but the travel junkie in us is inclined to believe that it’s all just a matter of context. Nobody loves schlepping to the subway in the morning when the weather is frigid, but that’s no reason to spurn winter altogether – you just need the right type of cold weather adventure.

This year, it’s time to put the win back in winter. We’re declaring this snowy season the most fun yet – whether you’re ice fishing, biking or horseback riding, it’s time to get out and explore all the wonderful things that are on our doorstep. Less than 1.5 hours outside downtown Toronto, sits the Albion Hills Conservation Area. Sure, hiking in the cold might not sound like much of an adventure. But what if we said you could go fat biking (an off-road bicycle with oversized tires for the snow) down 50km of fast rolling terrain and long downhill stretches?

York Durham and Headwaters has some of the best trails north of Toronto, with a network spanning across the three regions. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful pedal through the woods or a high-octane offroad experience, Albion, set in the hills of Caledon on the banks of the Humber River, is a great way to warm up this winter.

If you’re an animal lover, a visit to Peace Valley Ranch is an unmissable outdoor experience, just 1.5 hours away from the heart of Toronto. Rawhide Adventures has been taking guests horseriding in Mulmur, Ontario for decades – and we’re not talking about single-file trail riding, either. Think acres of panoramic hill country with trails in every direction, as you ride your horse across escarpments, through the forest or on the cattle ranch itself.

The Cosacks run a family ranch that caters to everyone from beginners to very experienced riders. Rawhide Adventures is founded in a deep respect for the horses – some of the finest east of Calgary – and as such, they’ll choose the horse that’s the best fit for you.

Ice fishing might seem more at home in Alberta, Manitoba or even northern Ontario – but the southern part of Lake Simcoe is populated with Trout, Perch, Pike, and Whitefish, and there’s an abundance of ice hut operators to choose from. The lake is located within an hours drive from Toronto, and at over 700 sq km in size, it’s considered the fishing capital of North America.

Georgina’s Ice Fishing Outfitters’ huts, located on the legendary fishing grounds around Georgina Island, are clean, comfortable and well maintained. The ride to and from your insulated ice hut is in their heated Bombardiers, so you’ll be snug all day. Plus, no prior experience is required to start fishing – all you need to do is purchase an Ontario Fishing Outdoors Card online.

This winter, don’t just survive – thrive. There’s more to life than watching TV, so embrace your inner-Canadian with one of the many exhilarating adventures on offer in the York Durham Headwaters region. ◆

To start planning your next winter adventure, head to yorkdurhamheadwaters.ca

The region has some of the best trails north of Toronto