10 Outdoor Activities To Enjoy In Durham Region This Winter
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There’s snow place like Durham Region to make the most of the winter season! Located less than an hour’s drive from Toronto, Durham Region has plenty of exciting sports, scenic trails and snow-filled fun to get you outdoors and braving the winter weather this season.
Hit the Slopes
Photo by colerushlow
Durham’s ski resorts offer snow-filled fun for everyone—from beginners to experts. Experience the thrill of 22 runs spread across 70 acres at Lakeridge Ski Resort; 23 runs, seven lifts, and a terrain park across 70 skiable acres at Brimacombe; or 20 different runs at Dagmar Ski Resort, Durham's largest terrain park. Embrace the snow and head to the hills to enjoy a fun and exciting experience!
Go Snow Tubing at Lakeridge
If skiing and snowboarding isn’t your thing, but you still want to experience the slopes this season, try snow tubing at Lakeridge Ski Resort! Enjoy the ultimate tobogganing experience by racing down a ski slope on a snow tube with your family and friends! With two-hour time slots, you can expect to enjoy a minimum of five rides during your stay. Everyone sits in an individual tube and may join groups at the top of the hill. Tickets are $35 to 40 per person and must be purchased online in advance.
Feed Songbirds at Lynde Shores
Lynde Shores Conservation Area in Whitby offers a unique wildlife viewing experience—perfect for birdwatchers or families looking for a fun daytime activity. Start or end your adventure with a coffee and plant shopping at Pink Coffee Trailer located inside Vandermeer Nursery, just a minute away.
Go Horseback Riding
Enjoy a peaceful horseback riding experience along the trails at Pathways on Pleasure Valley in Uxbridge! With more than 225 acres of breathtaking scenery and tranquil forest trails, you can experience the beauty and excitement of their private forests by horseback. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, you can enjoy all this one-hour guided trail ride has to offer. Private and/or group experiences are available.
Enjoy Cider by the Fire
Gather 'round the fire with friends, family, kids, dogs, dates, food, and of course, cider! Bring your blankets and long johns and enjoy the great outdoors at Banjo Cider on March 8. Enjoy hot mulled cider, sampler flights, cider-by-the-glass, cheese plates paired with cider, s'mores kits, craft potato chips and more by the fireside. Hot and cold non-alcoholic and alcoholic options are available. The fee is $15 per firepit (not per person). There are also plenty of heated patios in Durham Region to enjoy this winter—some of which are dog-friendly.
Try Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing
Durham Region has several great trails to go cross country skiing or snowshoeing this winter! Bring your own snowshoes and head to Heber Down Conservation Area to enjoy snowshoeing on five kilometres of trails, a scenic lookout over Lake Ontario at Darlington Provincial Park, or more than 16 kilometres of trails in four marked loops at Durham Forest. Trail Hub in Uxbridge also has a dedicated three-kilometre snowshoeing loop and offers snowshoe rentals.
Enjoy Skating and Hot Chocolate
Lace up your skates and head to a public skating rink! There are plenty of great outdoor rinks in Durham to explore. Grab a hot drink from Louie’s Cafe and head to the outdoor rink and vendor village at Lakefront Skate & Market in Scugog for some skating and shopping. Clarington’s first outdoor skating rink—located outside Courtice Community Complex—is now open and features a refrigerated ice surface, ample lighting for evening use, two gas fire pits and a warming room. Once you’ve tired yourself out, head to Coffin Creek Coffee nearby to grab a hot beverage. Pat Bayly Square in Ajax is another great option to spend an afternoon skating outdoors—with Goldies Cafe + Eatery located just across the street to warm up with a coffee or hot chocolate flight after your skate.
Explore #DurhamTrails
Photo by poodz
Feeling outdoors-y and wanting to explore somewhere new? We think a walk along one of our beautiful trails ‘wood’ be a great way to spend the day in Durham Region. From the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail to the rolling hills of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Durham’s trails offer beautiful landscapes and fabulous four-season recreational opportunities. There are also plenty of dog-friendly trails and off-leash parks to treat your snow-loving pup to an outdoor adventure.
Book in an Ice Fishing Hut
Brace the great outdoors and enjoy a range of ice fishing experiences in Brock this winter! Book your experience with Floyd Hales Fish Huts or Mitchell's Fish Huts , and discover world-class fishing on Lake Simcoe—the Ice Fishing Capital of North America. Lake Scugog is also a great place for ice fishing. You can find perch and bass in the winter months. Ice hut rentals are available at the Port Perry Marina. Important: Always check weather and ice safety reports before going out on the ice.
Celebrate the Season at an Outdoor Event
Enjoy a Guided Hike with Oak Ridges Trail Association on various dates throughout January to March. Celebrate the winter season with your family at the Ajax Winterfest on February 17. Gather round the outdoor firepits and sip on fresh local cider at the Applewood Farm & Winery pop-up on February 22 from noon to 4 p.m. in Scugog. Enjoy a weekend of family fun on the slopes from February 22 to 23 at Brimfest for giveaways, food specials, music, face painting and more. Starting in March, get a sweet taste of the maple season and enjoy fresh, local maple syrup, pancake breakfasts, and syrup demonstrations at a maple syrup festivals in Durham Region!
Bonus: Catch an Oshawa Generals Game
Okay so, not outdoors—but basically, right? Don’t miss your chance to watch the Oshawa Generals in action at the Tribute Communities Centre! Enjoy an affordable, family-friendly way to see the future of professional hockey and have an entertaining night out. Whether you’re looking for a night out with friends or family, you're bound to enjoy the full stadium energy and passionate atmosphere of Gens Nation. Experience the fast-paced action and thrilling, edge-of-your-seat excitement of an Oshawa Generals hockey game!
P.S. Visit DurhamTourism.ca/ooo to book a “very important meeting” and schedule your next day out of office in Durham Region. Once you do, we'll email you a full itinerary with fun suggestions on how to spend your day out of office—like a morning at the slopes, an afternoon exploring art, or a full day at the spa. Take a day away from the office for some “me time” with a quick and nearby escape to Durham Region.
Don’t forget to share your favourite moments with us! Tag @DurhamTourism social media in all your outdoor winter adventures.
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