Winter getaway: Icing lakers at Windy Lake Provincial Park

When it comes to winter outdoor activities, my favourite is ice fishing, which is closely followed by walking out to my ice-fishing spot, walking back from my ice-fishing spot, brushing the snow off my car to go ice-fishing and… well, you get the idea. And considering I could fish in one of the park’s cozy shelters (above) just a few minutes walk from my cabin, that was all I needed.

But Windy Lake does offer a lot more for well-rounded/less angling-obsessed vistors. That includes some of the best cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobile trails in the region. The Onaping Falls Nordic Ski Club operates a 15 kilometre trail network in the park, with professionally groomed trails for both classic and skate-style skiing, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. (For more information on ski trails or conditions, call (705) 855-2094)

As well as welcoming day visitors, there are also four trail-side yurts that are heated and available for winter use (plus the two camp cabins). And if you’re able to visit during the week, as I did, the facilities are uncrowded and, come evening, gloriously quiet.