Tag: Skating

Mental health benefits of getting outside this winter

Getting outdoors in Ontario this winter may be brisk, but it comes with a whole host of benefits for your mood and health.

The winter season notoriously brings cold weather, shorter days, and too much time cooped up indoors. It can even trigger a form of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

All the more reason not to hibernate!

Let’s look at some of the very real mental health benefits of the outdoors during the winter season:

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Winter adventures at MacGregor Point

If you haven’t explored a snow-covered MacGregor Point Provincial Park, you don’t know what you’re missing!

The ice skating trail is the premier winter attraction, but MacGregor Point also offers skiing, snowshoeing, camping and other winter fun!

Get the latest capacity updates here:

We’ve assembled a list of frequently asked questions and top tips for planning your visit:

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Winter adventure at Arrowhead Provincial Park

Planning a visit to Arrowhead Provincial Park?

Skating through the forest is definitely a winter bucket list activity!

But the secret is out!  Arrowhead has quickly become one of the region’s most popular winter attractions so it’s important you plan your visit carefully.

Know before you go! Availability of skating and skiing is weather dependent. Check our Twitter for updates and the Snow Report for ski conditions.

Get the latest capacity updates here:


We’ve assembled a list of frequently asked questions and top tips for planning your Arrowhead adventure:

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5 ways to stay active in the cold

Brrr! Temperatures are dropping, and winter’s icy grip is almost upon us.

We bet you’re feeling just about ready to tuck into a nice, long winter’s hibernation. Not so fast! Outdoor activity is important for our mental and physical health all year long. Getting outside is good for you even when the weather is not ideal.

Ontario Parks has 31 parks open in the winter. Each park offers plenty of ways for you to get active in the chilly months.

Here are some great ways to stay healthy, and enjoy winter!

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7 ideas for romantic in-park dates

Valentine’s Day can be about more than roses and champagne.

Why not surprise your loved one(s) with a trip to the great outdoors? It’s a great opportunity to get in touch with nature and spend some quality time together.

If you’re not sure where to go, we’ve got you covered! Take a look at some of the romantic activities here at Ontario Parks:

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Where to skate in Ontario Parks

The air is crisp and clean. The evergreens are covered with snow. If you’re lucky – and observant – you might spot a cardinal, a finch, a waxwing or a blue jay as you glide along the ice.

And when the sun goes down, you can huddle around a big bonfire with a cup of hot chocolate and warm up before relacing your skates and heading back out to skate under the stars.

It’s simply magical.

This winter, plan a skating trip to these four provincial parks:

Continue reading Where to skate in Ontario Parks

Who makes the Ontario Parks all-star wildlife hockey team?

Today’s article was written by Connor Oke, Ontario Parks’ marketing intern.

Canadians know that among the many things that make our country awesome, two things stand out: our vast expanses of beautiful, untouched wilderness…

…and our passion for hockey.

So why not both at the same time?

As hockey season grinds on, we did some scouting of our own. Here are the critters and creatures we’ve selected for the Ontario Parks All-Star Hockey Team!

Continue reading Who makes the Ontario Parks all-star wildlife hockey team?