Page 21 - 2022 OLC Visitor Guide

ORILLIA AND AREA’S FOUR SEASON PLAYGROUND!

Orillia is a

winter
destination

With wide-open blue skies and If vertical speed is your thing, the hills at Mount
sparkling snow as far as the eye St. Louis Moonstone and Horseshoe Resort are a
can see, Orillia’s moniker as the great place to get your heart racing while you ski,
‘Sunshine City’ doesn’t just apply snowboard or tube. Yamaha Adventures, located at
Horseshoe, also offers SMART Adventure snowmo-
to the summer months. Winter bile lessons for kids and tours for adult beginners.
days are known for fresh breezes
and the sun’s rays glistening off For those who enjoy a more leisurely experience in
snow-clad trails, frozen waterways the snow that still gets the heart pumping in equally
magnificent locales, there are thousands of acres of
and ski hills. snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities
Whether it’s a girls’ or couple’s weekend of shopping at Scout Valley, Simcoe County Forest trails and
and dining at more than 150 shops and 30-plus Hardwood Ski and Bike, which also has rentals.
restaurants in the charming downtown core, while And, let’s not forget that Orillia is known for its lakes,
staying at the luxury boutique Champlain Waterfront but not just in the summer. Many anglers actually
Hotel just steps away, or a family getaway at one of enjoy fishing the waters of Couchiching and Simcoe
several lakefront resorts that surround the city, winter for perch and pike more so when they’re frozen over.
in Orillia has something for everyone and is simply Winter is the time of year where villages of ice huts
not to be missed. can be seen only a short snowmobile distance or
If speed is what you like, there are approximately refreshing walk from shore. Don’t have a hut?
275 km of groomed trails around the area – enough No problem! A Breath of Fresh Air is located in
for a one- or two- hour loop, thanks to the Orillia Couchiching Beach Park and provides rental oppor-
District Snowmobile Club and its amazing volunteers tunities on Lake Couchiching at reasonable rates.
who carefully groom the trails. It’s just a small section And after a day of snowy adventures, the
of 32,000 km of interconnected trails throughout the restaurants and bars downtown and around the
Ontario network that includes access to converted city offer a chance to relax with friends and family
rail line trails and privately owned properties that over spectacular meals at all price points, from
offer spectacular nature views. burgers to gourmet.
“Some of the hillside views, forest trails, lakes, and Whether it’s heart-thumping exploits or
frozen waterfalls over the rocks get quite stunning as leisurely strolls through the downtown
you wind along trails with the exhilaration of zero to core, the Orillia area is the place to be this
too fast in a heartbeat, just under your right thumb,” winter to get out of the crowded big cities
says and enthusiastic Rob Love of the Orillia District and experience small city hospitality.
Snowmobile Club.

For more information visit OrilliaLakeCountry.ca

@OrilliaLakeCountry OrilliaLakeCountry.ca 21