Family winter resorts and snow parks in Ontario

Family-friendly winter resorts 

Stay where you play at some of the best family resorts in Ontario. Choose from on-site hotel suites, townhouse and condo units or fully equipped cottages to keep your little winter warriors close to the action. There’s no better way to bond as a family and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Blue Mountain Resort, The Blue Mountains 

A list of great winter getaways in Ontario isn’t complete without Blue Mountain Resort. Avid snowboarders and skiers will want to hit the slopes at this popular year-round resort. A variety of kids’ programs and family activities are offered.

Take budding skiers to the Snow School for training, head to the Hike ’N Tube hill for old-fashioned snow tubing fun, or hike to the Woodview Mountaintop to spend quality time together on the ice-skating loop. When planning your trip, remember to check out Blue Mountain’s family deals and packages for an affordable and exciting winter getaway.

Stay: With a wide choice of boutique hotels, resorts and chalets in Blue Mountain Village, there’s no shortage of accommodation options.

Location: 190 Gord Canning Drive, The Blue Mountains

Horseshoe Resort, Barrie 

Horseshoe Resort is home to Ontario’s longest beginner’s carpet lift, a conveyor belt that transports skiers back up to the top of the ski hill. You can also spend the day tubing down Ontario’s longest tubing hill or try fat biking along beautiful trails. Mountain and fat bike rentals are available for both adults and kids.

Horseshoe Resort is open year round, though many of their activities, such as the ski hills, fat biking and slope-side skating, are available during the winter.

Stay: The Inn at Horseshoe, Copeland House Condos and Slopeside Condos are all run by Horseshoe Resort and offer convenient accommodations on-site for families. Book one of the resort’s Ski & Stay packages, designed to maximize your time on the slopes with day and night lift tickets.

Location: 1101 Horseshoe Valley Road West, Barrie

Fern Resort, Orillia 

There’s no shortage of kid-friendly activities at Fern Resort, one of the top all-inclusive family resorts in Ontario. Located on Lake Couchiching, they’ve been welcoming families for over a century. Check out their winter packages for Family Day and March Break or last-minute winter getaway specials that feature activities like skiing, snowshoeing, ball hockey, ice fishing, curling and more.

There are also creative programs and outdoor activities offered for kids of all ages at the supervised Playvillage. During the evening, you have the option of booking an experienced private sitter to watch the little ones while you and your partner enjoy an entertaining date night with crafting, yoga or spa services.

Stay: Fern Resort’s vacation packages include multi-night stays in one of their lakeside cottages, complete with three daily meals and access to the indoor pool and sauna and fitness and games rooms. See their full list of accommodations online.

Location: 4432 Fern Resort Road, Ramara

Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville 

Adventurous families will love the fresh air and year-round excitement at Deerhurst Resort. Children aged 6 to 14 years old can learn to ride snowmobiles with guided and outfitted Yamaha Mini-Sled Rides for Kids.

Kids will also enjoy learning to snowshoe through the trails and solving snow mazes. Book a fun sleigh ride through the snow and a visit to the horses in their stables. Cap off your family getaway with a skate on the Ice Trail at Arrowhead Provincial Park.

Stay: Deerhurst Resort’s Ski & Stay package paired with Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area provides discounted lift tickets and hotel accommodations for the whole family. Up to two kids aged 18 and under can share their parents’ room for free.

Location: 1235 Deerhurst Drive, Huntsville

Bayview Wildwood Resort, Severn Bridge 

Experience quintessential winter adventures like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing and skating at Bayview Wildwood Resort, a Muskoka landmark. The resort is open year round, and their seasonal activities come with on-site equipment for everyone, making this an ideal place for a relaxing family trip.

Stay: Bayview Wildwood Resort offers seasonal deals and packages that include lakeside accommodations with stunning views and access to all resort amenities including the indoor treehouse playground, lake ice rinks and tobogganing hills, as well as daily breakfast and dinner.

Location: 1500 Port Stanton Parkway, Severn Bridge

Elmhirst’s Resort, Keene 

This resort, located just two hours from Toronto, offers various winter packages all season. From ice fishing and snowshoeing to cross-country skiing and hiking along the network of outdoor trails on the shores of Rice Lake, there are plenty of options to help your family make the most of your winter getaway.

Take advantage of February’s Family Day Weekend and the resort’s “Always Free” activities to entertain the kids, included with overnight visits.

Stay: Elmhirst’s Resort has a variety of on-site cottages available for rental, along with getaway packages that include spa discounts, access to recreation facilities, daily meals and exciting winter activities.

Location: 1045 Settlers Line, Keene

Pine Vista Resort, Lakefield 

Pine Vista Resort is a year-round, family-friendly resort located near Stoney Lake in the Kawarthas area. Your kids will have plenty of March Break, Family Day and other seasonal programs to participate in while you take the time to rejuvenate on your holiday getaway.

Bring your skates or rent them to play hockey or skate outdoors. The resort is surrounded by a breathtaking 60 hectares (150 acres) of wooded nature trails, perfect for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Stay: The resort’s cozy cottage rentals overlook the picturesque Stoney Lake, and a great selection of seasonal and holiday packages are available.

Location: 932 Gilchrist Bay Road, Lakefield

Hockley Valley Resort, Mono 

Families seeking a ton of winter adventures will love Hockley Valley Resort. From alpine skiing down the resort’s ski slopes to snowshoeing on nearby nature trails, the whole family is sure to have a blast. Once the exhilarating day is over, release your tension in the spa or hot tub while your kids work off the rest of their energy in the indoor pool.

Stay: Choose from a variety of rooms and packages to suit your family’s needs, whether that’s the comfortable Deluxe Resort Room overlooking the ski hill or the luxurious Premier Resort Room with all the modern amenities you’ll need such as a flat-screen TV and workspace.

Location: 793522 Mono 3rd Line, Mono

Calabogie Peaks Resort, Calabogie 

Eastern Ontario’s premier ski resort boasts the highest vertical ski hill and most varied terrain within an hour of Ottawa. With skiing, snowboarding, skating and ice fishing activities, this popular resort attracts families from all over the province and beyond during the winter season.

Private and group ski and snowboard lessons are available, including inclusive lessons from Canadian Adaptive Snowsports certified pros that help guests with special needs to enjoy the slopes. Check out the resort’s Ski Season Pass for unlimited days on the ski hills and access to all mountain trails.

Stay: Lodge accommodations are designed for families and conveniently located for ski-in and ski-out access to the mountain, so you can maximize your time spent outdoors.

Location: 30 Barrett Chute Road, Calabogie

Searchmont Resort, Searchmont 

Just under an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie, the slopes at Searchmont Resort take full advantage of the mountainous landscape of the Canadian Shield. The resort features a 214-metre vertical drop, 26 ski runs, four chair lifts and cozy on-site chalets and slope-side villas.

Enjoy a full seven minutes of one-on-one chairlift time with your budding Olympian skier, then race each other down the mountain. Searchmont Resort opens for a longer period on certain holidays such as Family Day and offers extra activities like face painting and magic tricks to keep the kids entertained all day long.

Stay: Book your stay in the slopeside chalets and villas located at the base of the mountain. As a bonus, villa guests are eligible for a special breakfast voucher at a discounted rate during their stay.

Location: 103 Searchmont Resort Road, Searchmont

 

Ski parks and snow adventures 

While the winter parks and playgrounds below may not have on-site digs, there are hotels nearby that offer stay-and-play deals and packages. Check out these places to visit in winter near Toronto and across the province.

Snow Valley Ski Resort, Barrie 

If your family is new to skiing and snowboarding, Snow Valley is the perfect destination. This Ontario winter resort offers various flexible programs during the winter season for newbies of all ages. There’s even a ski and tube section in the Kidz Zone designed just for toddlers. If you’re planning to visit the resort frequently during the winter season, take advantage of the Family Anytime Pass for seasonal access to the ski hills.

Stay: There are numerous hotels and other places to stay in the city of Barrie, located just a 20-minute drive from the ski resort. Check out the Monte Carlo Inn, which offers contemporary suites with access to their fitness centre and saltwater pool, or Allure Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of the city, near Highway 400.

Location: 2632 Vespra Valley Road, Minesing

Laurentian Ski Hill, North Bay 

Head to Laurentian Ski Hill during the winter season for alpine adventure, lessons, rental equipment and comfortable lodge and café facilities only minutes from downtown North Bay. A variety of kids’ and adults’ programs are sure to keep every member of the family busy and active. Families can purchase discounted four-hour or full-day group lift tickets. Seasonal passes for families of three, four or five or more people are also available.

Stay: Comfort Inn North Bay features breathtaking views of Lake Nipissing and welcomes all your furry, four-legged friends. Nearby Hampton Inn by Hilton North Bay is close to multiple restaurants and offers free hot breakfasts and access to an indoor pool and fitness centre.

Location: 15 Janey Avenue, North Bay

Mount St. Louis Moonstone, Coldwater 

Improve your skills with ski and snowboard programs at Mount St. Louis Moonstone, located just north of Barrie in Ontario’s famed snowbelt. The resort is one of Ontario’s largest family-owned ski parks, conveniently located right off Highway 400 so you can get to the slopes in about an hour from Toronto.

Whether you and your kids are new to skiing or veterans on the hill, you’ll find plenty of afternoon and nighttime activities to keep you occupied. Activities range from race training to skill improvement for all ages.

Stay: Horseshoe Resort is just a 10-minute drive from Mount St. Louis Moonstone and offers extra skiing practice in addition to all-inclusive vacation packages. Several hotels in nearby Orillia also feature comfortable accommodations, such as Stone Gate Inn and The Champlain Waterfront Hotel.

Location: R.R. #4, 24 Mt. St. Louis Road West, Coldwater

Sir Sam’s Ski/Ride, Haliburton 

Learn to ski with your toddler this winter. Take advantage of Sir Sam’s March Break Parent & Tot classes or get a Family Season Pass to return to the hills together every weekend. Kids will find the covered, climate-controlled walk-on walk-off carpet lift a thrilling part of the day. Plus, keep an eye out for family-oriented events like the “Family Fun Party,” which features special seasonal activities for kids and parents.

Stay: Bonnie View Inn is a landmark resort with picturesque scenic views and amazing hospitality. Lakeview Motel & Resort also offers comfortable accommodations with snowmobile trails, barbecues and a range of other great dining options. For those wanting to stay close to nature, a variety of cottages in the Haliburton Highlands are available for rent all season.

Location: 1054 Liswood Road, Eagle Lake

Mount Jamieson Resort, Timmins 

Just west of Timmins, this ski, snowboard and tube park is located on Mount Jamieson, an extinct volcano. Equipment rentals are available, so families can take this chance to brush up on their snow skills with private ski lessons for both kids and parents. If you want to keep the fun going all season long, consider buying a Family Membership pass for unlimited skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing access.

Stay: Find affordable, cozy accommodations in Timmins. Balsam Suites Boutique Hotel offers many free amenities, ranging from in-room movies to self-serve snacks and beverages. Hampton Inn by Hilton Timmins is within walking distance of the shopping centre and close to Timmins’ downtown core.

Location: 5050 Kamiskotia Road, Timmins

Hardwood Ski & Bike, Oro-Medonte 

Voted the best cross-country ski facility in eastern Ontario by Get Out There Magazine, Hardwood Ski and Bike features kilometres of ski and snowshoe trails for every skill level. Cross-country skiing technique classes are offered for the whole family.

Be sure to book your trail passes and rentals in advance. Families planning to make frequent winter trips to the facility can save with the seven-day season pass.

Tour the grounds and trail system of Hardwood Ski and Bike just north of Barrie in a Snow Cat! The eight-passenger cabin is comfortable and climate-controlled. Groomer tours take place Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. and last about 90 minutes long.

Stay: Check out Barrie’s Days Inn by Wyndham for beautiful waterfront views and access to the beaches and walking trails, or Best Western Plus Barrie for a luxurious stay that will cover all your getaway needs.

Location: 402 Old Barrie Road West, Oro Station

Loch Lomond Ski Area, Thunder Bay 

When it comes to winter, Northern Ontario delivers. Just outside of Thunder Bay, Loch Lomond makes it easy to take advantage of the splendid winter weather. Explore ski camps for all ages and skill levels or dare to try black and double black diamond runs if that’s more your style. Private lessons can also be booked for the whole family, with specialized instruction available for young children.

Stay: Book great accommodations in Thunder Bay, such as the Best Western Plus Nor’Wester Hotel. It’s a four-minute drive away from the ski resort and offers beautiful mountain views from cozy, comfortable rooms.

Location: 1800 Loch Lomond Road, Thunder Bay