11 Ontario winter getaways for adventurous couples
Stokely Creek Lodge | Colin Field
Winter inspires romance. A fresh blanket of snow on the ground, snowflakes gently falling and crisp air set the stage for a cozy night drinking hot chocolate by the fire. But there is just as much romance to be had outdoors in the snow. After spending the day getting active outside, the fireside retreat will be even more inviting.
Find some of the best couples’ winter getaways in Ontario and plan your romantic snow-filled escape.
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve
There’s no end to the outdoor adventures in sprawling Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve, located in the beautiful Haliburton Highlands. Open in all seasons, winter is particularly scenic, with deep snow, cold temperatures and abundant wildlife.
Book a stay at one of the many cozy accommodation options and select from a variety of unique winter experiences offered by the guiding service Yours Outdoors.
Experience dinner with the wolves! Enjoy a three-course meal provided by Bokshung Smokehouse while you view Haliburton Forest’s wolf pack from within the observation room.
Take a Tracks, Scat and Snowshoes tour through the quiet woods on snowshoes and learn how to identify animals by their tracks and scat. Book a lesson for two and learn how to skijor with your dogs.
Location: 1095 Redkenn Road, Haliburton
Calabogie Peaks Resort
Downhill skiers and snowboarding couples who frequent the resorts of the Collingwood and Barrie areas will enjoy the change of pace that heading east provides. Calabogie Peaks Resort is a hidden gem situated within the Ottawa Valley, on the edge of the quaint town of Calabogie.
Explore varied terrain and runs, views of frozen Lake Calabogie and a friendly, community-oriented atmosphere. Best of all, there are rarely any crowds, in sharp contrast to the popular ski resorts of the southwestern part of the province.
Choose from a variety of on-site accommodations, including hotels, condos and vacation homes. Dine at a different restaurant every night, either on the resort grounds or in town, less than a five-minute drive away.
Calabogie Peaks is a hub for other winter activities, including pond skating, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Location: 30 Barrett Chute Road, Calabogie
Algonquin Park, Muskoka and Parry Sound
Algonquin Park
The spotless, snow-covered landscapes of Algonquin Park are a sight to behold.
A busy summer and fall destination, Algonquin becomes quiet and intimate in the winter, making it the perfect place to plan a getaway to reconnect with your significant other.
The Call of the Wild Three-Day Multi-Adventure package will introduce you to the beauty of the Algonquin backcountry in the wintertime. Your days will be filled with dog sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. At the end of each day, unwind at the Algonquin Eco-Lodge, with access to a wood-fired sauna and outdoor hot tub.
Location: 3594 Elephant Lake Road, Moffat Pond, Algonquin Park
Northwest Ontario
Quetico Provincial Park
Couples seeking a challenge will love exploring the backcountry of Quetico Provincial Park. The wilderness area is a winter wonderland, with endless options for snow-covered routes.
Travel by snowshoe or cross-country ski across frozen lakes and along summer portage trails. If you’re really adventurous, you can winter camp in a hot tent and spend evenings cooking warm meals on the woodstove. The Park also rents rustic cabins in the campground and grooms 15 kilometres of classic and skate cross-country ski trails.
The best part about a winter getaway in Quetico is the chance to see the northern lights. An International Dark Sky Park and clear winter skies mean viewing the night sky is an out-of-this-world experience, even if the aurora doesn’t make an appearance.
Location: ON-11, Atikokan
Rose Valley Lodge & Restaurant
Book a stay in one of four cozy log cabins for a nature and culinary escape you won’t soon forget. Located 40 minutes from Thunder Bay, the lodge is a true getaway surrounded by nature.
It’s all about the food here—but you’ll want to work up an appetite first. Team up with local adventure guides at Outdoor Skills and Thrills for ice climbing or snowshoeing, depending on your appetite for adventure. They’ll supply all the gear you need and take you to some of the most beautiful winter landscapes in Northwestern Ontario.
Back at the lodge, savour a five-course meal in the intimate dining room.
Location: 56 Rose Valley Road, South Gillies
Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma
Stokely Creek Lodge
Combine the luxury of an all-inclusive resort experience with some of the best cross-country skiing in the province at Stokely Creek Lodge, north of Sault Ste. Marie.
Stokely is home to 100 kilometres of regularly groomed ski trails that meander and climb through the surrounding hills, with routes for every level of skier.
Rates include trail passes, meals and accommodation, with access to saunas, fireside reading areas, a recreation room and an all-day hot chocolate, coffee and tea bar. Couple’s ski lessons are available for purchase.
Location: Pickard Road, Goulais River
Hiawatha Highlands
Couples who love to cycle in the warm weather don’t have to give it up when the season turns cold. If you’ve never tried fat biking before—or if you have and want to explore further afield—head to Hiawatha Highlands near Sault Ste. Marie. Groomed single-track trails wind through a snow-covered forest landscape, making this truly a world-class winter recreation destination. Fat bike rentals are available.
There are also groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails available. Experience the breathtaking winter landscape, illuminated by the moon’s reflection on the snow, on an evening guided snowshoe tour.
The all-inclusive vacation package at The Water Tower Inn includes breakfast and a gift card you can use for lattes and boxed lunches or dinners to bring out on the trail.
Locations:
- Hiawatha Highlands, 780 Landslide Road, Sault Ste. Marie
- The Water Tower Inn, 360 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie
Northeastern Ontario
Sportsman’s Lodge Wilderness Resort
Located on expansive Kukagami Lake, halfway between Sudbury and Lake Temagami, Sportsman’s Lodge Wilderness Resort provides a truly secluded winter getaway for couples. Book a stay at the main lodge, one of the cottages or in the four-story Tower Building—the largest log structure in Ontario.
With almost 400 metres of waterfront and access to the back lakes of Donald, Potvin and Chuggin, one of the best winter activities is ice fishing. Note that the back lakes are accessible only by snowmobile, and you’ll need to bring your own. However, fuel, permits and maps are available.
The lodge grounds feature 10 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails. For more adventure, head onto the ungroomed trails on the north end of Kukagami Lake and the back lakes—check out the 15-metre ice waterfall on Donald Lake.
Accommodation fee includes breakfast and dinner—these are fresh, homemade meals that will fuel you for another day of exploring together.
Location: 240 Kukagami Lake Road, Wahnapitae
Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa
Get up close and personal with bison, elk and deer from a tractor-drawn wagon ride in the 40-hectare wildlife park at Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa, located just outside Timmins.
Rejuvenate in the Nordic Bath, surrounded by nature and enjoy delicious on-site meals. Warm up in a cozy suite or chalet with a fireplace and jacuzzi. Or opt for chic accommodations within a wolf habitat with the Sleeping with the Wolves package. As dusk falls, you’re likely to see the wolves in the 10-acre enclosure start to roam.
Nearby, go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing with the Porcupine Ski Runners, one of the largest Nordic ski clubs in Canada. Alternatively, feel the thrill of downhill skiing, snowboarding or tubing at Mount Jamieson Resort.
Location: 1000 Norman Street, Timmins
Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge
An off-grid glamping escape is the perfect winter getaway for an adventurous couple.
Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge is nestled in the Laurentian Mountains, just north of Mattawa. Choose from log cabins, geodomes, canvas tents or yurts. While all are cozy and romantic, the geodomes in particular provide an intimate experience, immersing you in the natural surroundings.
Winter activities include pond skating, backcountry skiing, snow tubing, snowshoeing and kicksledding—a mix between a snow scooter and cross-country ski. Spice things up even more and go ice dipping; it takes some grit and courage, but you’ll feel amazing afterwards.
Location: 574 Snake Creek Road, Mattawan
Grey, Bruce and Simcoe
Fern Resort
For a stress-free romantic getaway, book a winter all-inclusive package at Fern Resort, located in Ramara on the shores of Lake Couchiching.
Skate on the 1.5-kilometre wooded skating trail, go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, curl or ice fish on the lake. All equipment is provided. The ultimate romantic experience for couples is the horse-drawn cutter rides. Glide through the winter landscape to the jingle of bells and thump of hooves on the freshly fallen snow.
At the end of the day, take advantage of the indoor pool, steam room, sauna and hot tub.
Location: 4432 Fern Resort Road, Ramara
Combine romance and adventure this winter. Visit Resort of Ontario for more resort packages and winter couples’ escapes.
Last updated: September 25, 2025