From skiing, snowboarding and tubing to kid-approved programs and entertainment, Ontario’s winter resorts and playgrounds offer endless fun for everyone in the family including toddlers, tweens, teens, and grown-up ‘kids’ too.

You don’t need to wait until summer for your family getaway in Ontario.

Family-friendly resorts

Stay where you play at one of Ontario’s family-oriented resorts or lodges. Choose from on-site hotel suites, townhouse and condo units or fully equipped cottages to keep your winter warriors close to all the action.

Blue Mountain, The Blue Mountains

With three freestyle terrains and over 40 runs, avid snowboarders and skiers will want to hit the slopes for adventure at Blue Mountain Resort. Head to the Hike N’ Tube hill for old-fashioned snowtubing fun or make a splash at the four-season indoor and outdoor Plunge! Aquatic Centre.

What we love: Childcare is available from the Babysitter’s Club for kids 18 months to 12 years old on Friday and Saturday nights so parents can squeeze in a massage from an award-winning spa or grab a bite at Blue Mountain Village.

Horseshoe Resort, Barrie

Horseshoe Resort is home to Ontario’s longest beginner’s carpet lift, a conveyer belt that transports skiers back up to the top of the ski hill. Alternatively, spend the day tubing down Ontario’s longest tubing hill or try fat biking on the nine kilometres of beautiful trails. Bike rentals and guided tours are available for adults and kids.

What we love: Ski ‘n’ stay packages are designed to maximize your time on the slopes with day and night lift tickets.

Fern Resort, Orillia

There’s no shortage of kid-friendly activities at Fern Resort, an all-inclusive resort on Lake Couchiching that’s been welcoming families for over a century. Check out the winter packages for Family Day, March Break, or last minute winter getaway specials. Creative programs and outdoor activities are offered for kids of all ages.

What we love: Fern’s worry-free, all-inclusive packages mean everything’s taken care of so parents get the chance to relax too.

Deerhurst Resort, Huntsville

Adventurous families will love Deerhurst Resort. Kids aged 6 to 14 year old can learn to ride snowmobiles with guided and outfitted Yamaha Mini-Sled Rides for Kids. Or snowshoe through the trails and solve snow mazes. Indoor activities include obstacle courses, rock climbing and treehouses.

What we love: Nights are fun too! Go snowshoeing at night on the new Starlight Snowshoe Trail.

Bayview Wildwood Resort, Severn Bridge

Experience quintessential winter family fun like snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tobogganing and skating at Bayview Wildwood Resort, a Muskoka landmark.

What we love: The indoor recreation centre and pool will keep kids entertained inside.

Elmhirst's Resort, Keene

Learn the fundamentals of kite skiing! Situated beside Rice Lake, this is the perfect place to try this winter sport that’s gaining in popularity. The third week in January is Elmhirst’s Resort’s annual Snowkite Week filled with snowkite tips and demonstrations. The resort offers various winter packages all season from ice fishing to February’s Family Day Weekend. Take advantage of all their amazing ‘Always Free’ activities included with overnight visits.

What we love: Elmhirst’s Resort also offers pampering packages with spa services and wine tasting.

Pine Vista Resort, Lakefield

Pine Vista Resort is a four-star resort located near Stony Lake in the lovely Kawarthas area. March Break and Family Day recreation programs include wagon rides, day activities and movie nights. Bring your skates, or rent them to play hockey or skate outdoors.

What we love: The resort is surrounded by 150 acres of wooded nature trails, perfect for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.

Hockley Valley Resort, Mono

The ski hills are alive with the sound of families having fun at Hockley Valley Resort. Themed events and activities for kids include movie nights, arts and crafts, bonfires, and of course skiing and snowboarding.

What we love: With an on-site spa, two restaurants and a winery next door, parents can indulge in some me time too.

Calabogie Peaks Resort, Calabogie

Eastern Ontario’s premier winter resort boasts the highest vertical and varied terrain within an hour of Ottawa, with skiing, snowboarding, skating and ice fishing. Holiday camps are hosted for kids between four and 19 years old. Amenities like a movie room, several dining options and an indoor pool round out the perfect family weekend.

What we love: Inclusive ski lessons from Canadian Adaptive Snowsports certified pros invite guests with special needs to enjoy the slopes.

Searchmont Resort, Searchmont

Just under an hour north of Sault Ste. Marie, Searchmont Resort takes full advantage of the mountainous landscape of the Canadian Shield with a 230-metre vertical drop, 21 ski runs, four chair lifts and cozy on-site chalets and slope-side villas.

What we love: Enjoy a full seven minutes of one-on-one chairlift time with your budding Olympian.

Ski parks & snow adventures

While these winter parks and playgrounds may not have on-site digs, there are plenty of places to stay nearby offering stay-and-play deals and packages.

Snow Valley Ski Resort, Barrie

If your family is new to skiing and snowboarding, Snow Valley is the perfect destination. The resort offers various flexible programs for newbies of all ages and skills to learn the essentials. There’s even a ski and tube section in the Kidz Zone designed for tots.

What we love: First Tracks Childcare is available for your very little ones on weekends and during holiday and school breaks so parents can join the rest of the family on the slopes.

Laurentian Ski Hill, North Bay

Head to Laurentian Ski Hill for alpine adventure, lessons, rental equipment and comfortable lodge and café facilities conveniently located only minutes from downtown North Bay.

What we love: The ‘Best of Both Worlds’ is a new initiative between Laurentian Ski Hill and Antoine Mountain in Mattawa designed to provide skiers and snowboarders with even more downhill options.

Mount St. Louis Moonstone, Coldwater

Improve your skills with ski and snowboard programs like What is My Ability, SnowSchool and SnowSchool Progression at Mount St. Louis Moonstone, located just north of Barrie in Ontario’s famed snowbelt. The resort is one of Ontario’s largest family owned ski parks with 36 ski slopes, eight chair lifts and three carpets.

What we love: Conveniently located right off Highway 400 means you can get to the slopes in about an hour from Toronto.

Sir Sam's Ski/Ride, Haliburton

Learn to ski with your toddler and take advantage of March Break’s Parent & Tot classes. Kids will find the covered, climate-controlled walk-on walk-off carpet lift an exciting part of the day.

What we love: Book a package with one of their accommodation partners and save on weekend, holiday and weekday lift tickets.

Kamiskotia Snow Resort, Timmins

Just west of Timmins, Kamiskotis is a ski, snowboard and tube park located on Mount Jamieson, an extinct volcano. Rentals are available, brush up on your skills with a private ski lesson and warm up in the cozy cafeteria.

What we love: Get discounts off your day tickets and tubing passes when you stay the night at Hampton Inn by Hilton or Ramada Timmins.

Hardwood Ski & Bike, Oro-Medonte

Voted the best cross-country ski facility in eastern Ontario by Get Out There Magazine, Hardwood Ski and Bike features over 40 kilometres of cross-county ski trails and 14 kilometres of snowshoe trail, designed for every skill level. Cross-country skiing technique classes are offered for the whole family and check out Family Day Weekend programs.

What we love: Sign up for the guided, five-kilometre evening snowshoe hike to a bonfire to enjoy hot chocolate or cider.

Loch Lomond Ski Area, Thunder Bay

When it comes to winter, Northern Ontario delivers! Just outside of Thunder Bay, Loch Lomond takes full advantage of splendid winter weather with full and half ski camps in the learning area to black and double black diamond runs for your speed demons.

What we love: Multi-day passes are available for the family winter getaway.

Find even more family-friendly winter getaway packages at Resorts of Ontario.

Ontario encourages everyone to travel safe during this time and follow public health guidelines. It is important to practice physical distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing a non-medical face covering where required or where physical distancing is a challenge. Learn more about Ontario’s COVID-19-related health and safety measures at Ontario.ca/coronavirus.