May
16 Summer - Welcome to Muskoka
The unofficial start of summer is here! The May long weekend
(celebrating the Victoria Day holiday but also affectionately known as
May two-four) has almost arrived. We’ve been enjoying summer-like
temperatures and although the water is still cool it’s not too early for
a dip in the lake. If that thought gets your teeth chattering, here are
some other activities to try out this weekend at Colonial Bay and in
Muskoka:
Get out on the water – we have a fleet of canoes, kayaks and paddle
boats for our guests and the waterskiing boat is ready to go. Or maybe
you’d like to trysurfing?
Take in some local history – The pioneer village and train
at Muskoka Heritage Place open for the season on May 19.
Go for a hike – Muskoka has an abundance of trails
and world-renowned Algonquin Park is just a short drive away from
Colonial Bay
Go for a spin – For two-wheel enthusiasts - the pedal-powered kind! –
you can find maps of some local cycling routes and trails here. (And
don’t forget about the Spin
the Lakes Tour the following weekend on May 27th with 20k, 50k, 110k
and 170k routes around beautiful Lake of Bays.) If driving is more your
style, check out our previous post of local
driving tours - beautiful any time of year!
Soak up some sun – sink into a Muskoka chair, dig your toes into the
sand and enjoy the sunshine!
We still have a few waterfront cottages available for the long weekend.
Check out our availability
on our website. For our American friends, Memorial Day is May 28 – call
us for a Canadian lakeside get-away!
Here’s to summer in Muskoka! We hope to see you soon.
The Howell Family
Categories:
Permalink
Mar
31 It's Spring In Muskoka
Mother Nature was sure in a hurry to be done with winter this year. Spring
arrived with a week of summer-like temperatures that melted the snow so
fast it seemed to vaporize. We’ve since returned to more seasonable
temperatures but there’s hardly a patch of snow to be found anywhere and
the ice is gone from most of the lakes already.
In this in-between season, after the winter sports are done and before
the
lakes are warm enough for watersports, you might wonder what there is to
do
in Muskoka in the Spring. (Hint: there's lots!) Check out some of the
activities below for some ideas to get you started.
Golf – With the early arrival of spring, some area golf courses are
already
open. You can find a list of local courses here.
Muskoka
Golf Courses
Contact them for their Spring hours of operation.
Cycling - Get out your bike and take advantage of cooler temperatures and
lighter traffic! Check out the Bike
Muskoka website for
routes and maps
Hiking – Spring is a fabulous time to go hiking! Less foliage means more
wildlife viewing opportunities. Click
here for our list of suggested trails.
Art – The
Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery is
open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year!
Downtown Huntsville – After you’ve explored all of the murals in the
Group
of Seven Outdoor Gallery, why not check out some of historic
downtown Huntsville's shops and cafes?
Local History – Head just south of downtown and learn about Muskoka
history
at The Muskoka Museum
at Muskoka Heritage
Place<http://www.muskokaheritageplace.org/en/>.
It’s open Monday to Friday from 10-4 (The Pioneer Village and train open
for the season on May 19).
The Easter long weekend is just around the corner. It’s the perfect
opportunity to explore Muskoka in the Spring. If you decide to visit,
make
sure you take advantage of this special offer from Explorers’ Edge:
Explorers’ Edge Fuel & Fun
package
Book a 2-night minimum consecutive stay before March 31, 2012 for a
getaway
in Explorers’ Edge between April 3, 2012 and May 17, 2012 at
participating
Accommodation Providers and YOU COULD BE 1 OF 500 TRAVELERS TO RECEIVE A
$50 GAS CARD AND $50 IN TRAVEL VOUCHERS!
We are one of the participating accommodations! You can see the
availability of our waterfront cottages
here.
We hope you’ll visit us this Spring
The Howell Family
Colonial Bay Cottages
Categories:
Permalink
Mar
01 Winter is still here! Fresh snow today.
It’s Still Winter in Muskoka! (March Break activities)
Winter hasn’t left us yet. Southern Ontario may be experiencing
spring-like conditions, but here in Muskoka we still have lots of snow
(and the fun
that goes with it!). With March Break only two weeks away, it’s the
perfect time to get your winter fix. Here are just a few of activities
you can try
out over March Break:
Hidden Valley Highlands Ski
Area is open every day of March Break for downhill skiing. Tuesday,
March 13 is
their annual Boogie With Your Boots On, an all ages dance party and BBQ.
Arrowhead
Provincial Park has 29 km of groomed track set cross-country ski
trails and 12 km of skate skiing
trails. Plus, they have over 6 km of snowshoeing trails, a terrific
tubing hill and, new for this year, a skating trail. Ski and snowshoe
rentals are
available and tubes can be borrowed free of charge (a day-use park
permit is required).
Limberlost Forest
Reserve is just 10 km north of Colonial Bay. Access is free to the
public and they have 70 km of trails for backwoods skiing or snowshoeing.
Rockridge Tubing Park is
open from 10 am to 10 pm every day of March Break. They have 7 groomed
runs and a lift to pull you back to the top.
Dogsledding adventures
are available at North Ridge Ranch<http://www.huntsvilledogsled.com/>.
Advance registration is required.
There are still lots of snowmobile trails open. Check the Trail
Conditions before you head out.
Come and visit us for one more winter adventure. You know you want to!
Our Ontario cottages offer gorgeous views of the winter landscape and
we’re
just a short drive away from tons of winter fun! View
our Muskoka Cottage availability here.<https://www.pronto2.com/colonialbay/>
We hope to see you soon!
The Howell Family
Categories:
Permalink
Feb
22 High School Cross Country Ski Race
Nordic Skiers arrive
in Huntsville, Ontario
Just days before the Ontario Parasport Winter Games begin; hundreds of
students will descend on Huntsville today for the OFSAA Nordic Ski
Championships. The events will run at Arrowhead Provincial Park and will
finish off with a relay race run through a manmade snow covered course
on Main St in the downtown core on Friday.
Officials are expecting an influx of visitors for the event.
The Parasport games will take over the downtown course on Friday
afternoon and then the cross country course will be open to the public
for use until midnight.
Categories:
Permalink
Feb
02 Ice is Nice (but be safe out there)
Muskoka’s landscape is dramatically different in the winter.
Snow-covered branches replace the fiery foliage of fall and the lakes
become a frozen expanse of ice. One of the highlights of visiting a lake
community in the winter is heading out on the ice for a variety of
activities. Rinks get cleared for skating and impromptu games of shinny.
Ice fishing huts create mini-villages where there were once rafts and
boats. Tracks from snowmobiles and cross-country skis crisscross the
lake.
But all that fun on the ice does have risks and it’s important to know
how to stay safe. Clear, hard new ice (usually blue-coloured) is safest.
White or opaque ice is weaker and should be treated with caution. Ice
that has a honeycombed look (common in the spring or if there is a thaw)
should be avoided completely.
When possible, measure the thickness of the ice before venturing out.
Ice less than 3 inches thick is unsafe and should not be travelled on.
At 4 inches, the ice is safe for ice fishing, walking and cross-country
skiing. At more than 5 inches, one-way snowmobile and ATV traffic is
okay. But remember that ice doesn’t freeze uniformly. Even 10 feet away
from a safe area, the ice could be thinner.
Regardless of the ice thickness, you should always stay away from
permanent structures on the ice like docks and boathouses. The ice
around these can be weak and should be considered unsafe. Also avoid
slushy ice, ice that has thawed and then refrozen, pressure ridges or
cracks, and layered or ‘rotten’ ice due to sudden temperature changes.
Also avoid areas with lots of snow - heavy snowfall insulates and may
even melt existing ice.
This winter, we have seen fluctuations in temperature from above 0C to
below -20C. That means that ice in some areas should be treated with
extreme caution. Always check the conditions before heading out and “if
you don’t know, don’t go”. Choose another location for your activity
instead.
Being out on the ice can be an amazing experience. Just remember to stay
safe out there.
Do you have fond memories of being on the ice in Muskoka? Leave us a
comment to tell us about it!
The Howell Family
Categories:
Permalink
Jan
17 Remember Summer?
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Winter is cold. Sometimes it’s really cold. Like in January, the coldest
month of the year in these parts. So despite the balmy weather we've had
this winter, we shouldn't be surprised when the thermometer dips down to
-25C (that's -13F for our American friends). Even though we love winter
at Colonial Bay, those temperatures make us wish for some summer fun and
sun.
In case you’ve forgotten, here’s what summer in Muskoka looks like:
And this:
And this:
Tubing, water skiing and surfing. Canoeing and kayaking. Relaxing in a
Muskoka chair with warm sand between your toes. Roasting marshmallows
over a campfire. Falling asleep to the call of the loons. However you
choose to spend it, summer in Muskoka can't be beat. (If you don't
believe us, just ask National Geographic or the Toronto Star. But
really, you should just take our word for it.)
We’ve already started taking summer reservations for our waterfront
Muskoka cottages. Will we see you at Colonial Bay this year?
Thinking warm thoughts,
The Howell Family
Categories:
Permalink
Jan
01 10 Things To Do In Muskoka This Year
Happy New Year from Colonial Bay!
There’s something about a new year that brings out the list maker in us
all. Resolutions are made (and broken) and “Best of ” and “Top 10” lists
start cropping up as we look back at the past twelve months.
In that tradition, we offer a list of ten things you must do in Muskoka
in 2012. Well, you don’t have to, but just think what you’ll be missing
out on if you don’t.
1. Try bungee surfing
2. Taste the corn roast at Colonial Bay
3. Try skijoring or dog sledding
4. Check out a festival – Film, Literary, Cranberry, and more!
5. Ride the Portage Flyer
6. Get to know the Group of Seven
7. Visit a local farmers’ market or farm and sample Muskoka’s finest
produce
8. Pick wild blueberries
9. See the fall colors
10. Watch a sunrise and sunset from the dock (at Colonial Bay of course!)
Categories:
Permalink
Dec
06 Skiing in Muskoka
Muskoka’s landscape – hilly, rocky and treed – isn’t just beautiful.
It also offers amazing terrain for skiing. Whether you prefer the thrill
and speed of alpine-style skiing or the tranquil tracks of cross-country
skiing, Muskoka is the perfect location for both.
Arrowhead
Provincial Park has 29 km of groomed, track-set, cross-country ski
trails and 12km of skate skiing trails for beginner to expert skiers.
Both classic and skate skis can be rented from the Park Pro Shop. Glide
silently through the trees and then warm up next to the bonfire before
exploring another trail.
Our local alpine ski area, Hidden
Valley Highlands, has surprisingly varied terrain given its size.
With twelve runs ranked from easy (green) to most difficult (black
diamond) and a terrain park, there’s something for skiers and
snowboarders of all ages and abilities. For first-timers and those who
want to improve their skills, the Snow School offers both beginner group
lessons or one-on-one private instruction.
Weather permitting, both Hidden Valley and Arrowhead will have terrain
open through the holidays.
If you’re planning to be in Muskoka for the holidays, Hidden Valley has
two celebrations: the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and New Year’s Eve
family-friendly fireworks. Check out their events
page for info.
Other local holiday events include:
December 17 – A Portage Flyer Christmas at Muskoka Heritage Place - Ride
the Portage Flyer to visit Santa from 5-8pm
December 17, 28, 29 – SantaFest
at Santa’s Village - Admission includes horse-drawn sleigh rides by Twin
Maples Farm, Ice Skating (weather permitting), sliding, guided ATV rides
by Bear Claw Tours, winter Olympic biathlon, gingerbread cookie
decorating, craft making, colouring & letter writing, petting farm,
marshmallow roasting, story time and visits with Santa
December 20 – Michelle
Wright Christmas at Algonquin Theatre
We hope to see you this holiday season!
Warm wishes,
The Howell Family
Categories:
Permalink
Nov
22 Bring on the snow!
While many people think of Muskoka as a summer destination with water
sports, hiking or just basking in the sun, it’s just as fun to be here
in the winter. Here are some of the ways you can play in the snow in
Muskoka:
Downhill Skiing
Hidden
Valley Highlands Ski Area is just a short drive from Colonial Bay.
With a variety of groomed runs suitable for skiers of all abilities,
Hidden Valley is a great place to spend a day with family. They also
offer ski and snowboard rentals, a terrain park, night skiing and
lessons. Lift ticket required.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
There are lots of trails in Muskoka that are suitable for cross-country
skiing or snowshoeing. The closest to Colonial Bay are at Arrowhead
Provincial Park and Limberlost Forest Reserve.
Arrowhead
Park, located just north of Huntsville, has trails for everyone from
beginners to experts. With 29 km of track-set, cross-country ski trails,
12km of skate skiing trails and 6 km of marked snowshoe trails, you’ll
be able to spend the whole day exploring. Classic ski, skate skis and
snowshoes are all available to rent. A day use fee applies to access the
park.
Limberlost
Forest Reserve is just 10 km north of Colonial Bay. Access is free
to the public and they have 70 km of trails for backwoods skiing or
snowshoeing.
Skating
The Town
of Huntsville offers two venues for skating. The Summit Centre has
indoor skating available until March 30 2012 during scheduled times (a
fee applies) plus they offer a Free Family Skate on Sunday afternoons
from January 22 to February 12 on Cann Lake near Muskoka Heritage Place.
Arrowhead
Park has an outdoor skating rink overlooking Mayflower Lake. A
gazebo at rinkside offers a place to change skates or take a break. The
park has two heated warm-up shelters and an open fire when you need to
warm up. Skates are available to rent. A day use fee applies to access
the park.
Snowmobiling
If snowmobiling is your thing, check out the local trails here
or if you’ve always wanted to try it out, you can find tours and guides here.
Tubing
Rock Ridge Tubing Park in Huntsville has thrilling runs with lifts to
haul you back up to the top. And when you need a break, warm up by the
fire pit or in the snack bar. A fee applies to access the runs.
Dog Sledding
A variety of local operators offer dog sledding tours in Huntsville or
nearby Algonquin Park. Try Snow
Forest Adventures or Huntsville
Dog Sled or check Google for more.
Relaxing Fireside
At the end of a day spent playing outside, there’s nothing quite like
relaxing in front of a crackling fire. Or you could just spend the day
that way too! All of our winter accommodations have fireplaces. If you’d
like to experience Muskoka in the winter (and we think you should!) you
can see our availability here.
Now we just need Mother Nature to bring us some snow…
The Howell Family
Categories:
Permalink
Nov
07 Do Moose Hibernate?
Ever wonder where Muskoka’s most iconic animals go in the winter? We do
get a lot of snow, making it a fabulous place for winter play if you’re
human. But what about all of our furry and feathered friends?
The Loon, perhaps the smartest of the bunch, heads south. Sort of. There
are reports that Muskoka’s loons head…east. To the Atlantic Ocean. Or
sometimes south to the Great Lakes. No Florida sun for these beauties.
Maybe they're not so smart after all. Regardless, they head back to
Muskoka in April, sometimes flying back and forth between here and their
winter homes several times before finding open water to call home for
the summer.
Moose, on the other hand, are perfectly adapted to living in our wintry
northern wonderland. Their long legs make trekking through deep snow a
breeze, although they often prefer to hang out in or near a forest where
the snow isn’t as deep and there are lots of tasty twigs to munch on.
The forest also provides cover from the heat of winter. That’s right,
the heat. A moose in winter coat starts to pant if the temperature rises
above -5C and they really don’t begin to feel the cold until the
thermometer drops down to -30C.
Black Bears are the laziest of our local critters, spending 5-6 months
of the year hibernating. They head for winter dens sometime in November
and don’t emerge until April when the snow is well on its way to
becoming part of the lake.
Raccoons are also on the lazy side, hibernating for a good part of the
winter, often in family groups. If we have a warm spell, however, they
will emerge from their dens to see what kind of havoc they can wreak.
Beavers, the most industrious of our local animals, build lodges that
help to keep the colony warm in winter. They stash piles of wood in deep
water near the lodge to sustain them through the winter. Underwater
exits from the lodge allow them to swim under the ice to get to their
food while keeping away from predators at the surface. They even store
fat in their tails for winter energy.
Humans over-winter quite nicely in Muskoka, not by storing extra fat
(although that sometimes happens), but by adding multiple layers of
clothing and participating in a variety of both indoor and outdoor
pastimes to stay warm. At Colonial Bay, you can relax in front of a cozy
fire after a day spent playing in the snow. Muskoka has abundant
opportunities for cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing,
skating and snowmobiling. If you’ve never experienced Muskoka in the
winter, why not try
it this year?
See you soon!
The Howell Family
Categories:
Permalink