Categories: Things To Do

Here’s when Ontario’s torch-lit skating trails are set to open this winter

Photo via Fern Resort

When it comes to winter activities in Ontario, the options are truly endless. But, one of the most popular things to do during the colder months is a scenic skate by torchlight through the province’s network of majestic forest trails.

There’s nothing quite as peaceful as gliding under the night sky with views of towering trees and the glow of flames lighting your path, and this winter, you can look forward to lacing up your skates and hitting the trails.

One of the trails is located at the Fern Resort in Ramara, a short drive north of the GTA. The 1.5 km skating path through the woods is open both during the day and at night, and it’s lined with glowing torches after dark.

You can even get an evening skate package that comes with a four-course dinner and an evening bonfire after your skate.

Fern Resort told Curiocity that guests can give them a call in the first week of January to find out the exact date of their opening, but that it will take place in early 2022.

Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville also has torchlit skating events on select Saturdays in January and February called Fire & Ice Nights.

The 1.3 km frozen trail through the Muskoka forest is of the most popular winter activities in the region, so if you have to cross this activity off your bucket list this season, here’s when you can expect it to open.

Arrowhead Park told Curiocity that the ice skating trail’s opening will be weather dependent, and based on the opening dates they’ve recorded over the past 10 years, it will likely be sometime between late December to late January.

The earliest that the trail ever opened was December 26th, and the latest it ever opened was last year on January 28th, so it’s pretty safe to assume it will fall somewhere within that window.

The park’s conditions and the skating trail’s opening status are updated daily on the Ontario Parks ski report, so you can check it daily for updates.