Go On a Collingwood Weekend Getaway this Christmas
One of the most popular skiing towns in Canada, Collingwood lies in the shadow of Blue Mountain on the shores of Lake Huron. While the area has fun activities no matter the season, there’s just something special about the holidays as tender snows fall and ice coats the surface of the lake. There’s no better place for a quiet Christmas vacation in Ontario than a Collingwood weekend getaway. From meeting Santa Claus to holiday shopping at colourful holiday markets, here are some of the best ways to ring in Christmas Day in Collingwood.
Skiing and More at Blue Mountain
Set to open on December 19th, kick off the winter season with skiing, snowboarding, and more at Blue Mountain. With 365 acres of skiable terrain, seven chairlifts, and three snow parks, Blue Mountain offers something for everyone regardless of their skill level.
Off the slopes, the entire ski village has been given a special holiday makeover featuring light displays, sleigh rides, costumed performers and more seasonal cheer than you can handle. You can enjoy shopping, holiday eats, or just a hot cup of cocoa after a long day hitting the powder.
Visit the Collingwood Christmas Market
Taking place each Friday in December leading up to Christmas Eve, downtown Collingwood will be transformed this holiday season into the vibrant Collingwood Christmas Market. Featuring gorgeous light installations by town hall, performances along Hurontario Street and a variety of food and drink, it’s a great chance to enjoy the spirit of the holidays and check out cool local vendors. Plus, rumour has it a certain bearded gentleman will be bringing the holiday spirit to the Collingwood Christmas Market along with his reindeer and big red sleigh on December 10th and 17th.
Enjoy a Spa Day
What better gift to give yourself during a Collingwood weekend getaway than a spa day? There are a number of full-service spas in the area, such as the award-winning Scandinave Spa featuring hot outdoor baths, Nordic Waterfalls, and a eucalyptus steam room. Named Canada’s Top New Spa in 2015, Iwa Spa is a wellness spa where you can practice mindfulness with treatments such as Ganban volcanic rock therapy, restorative yoga and a variety of cosmetic treatments. Inspired by the natural beauty of Blue Mountain, Kalola Life In Balance Spa features relaxing treatments like Reiki massage, holistic counseling and a wide variety of skin treatments so visitors can look and feel their best.
Winter Fun on Blue Mountain
Not a fan of skiing or snowboarding? There are plenty more ways to enjoy winter fun on Blue Mountain. For some downhill fun for all ages, go snowtubing on gentle slopes across the mountain. See all the sights on the Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster, a guided roller coaster that runs past all the mountain’s most beautiful vistas. In addition to trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, there are also routes for fat biking through the snowy backwoods of Blue Mountain.
Snowshoeing in Collingwood
There are many amazing snowshoeing trails to explore in the Collingwood area. For instance, the Bruce Trail is one of the oldest snowshoe trails in Canada running from Tobermory to Niagara. Accessible from Blue Mountain, the Bruce Trail leads to the Osler Bluff Lookout featuring a stunning view of the Niagara Escarpment below. Situated along the discontinued Northern Railway, the Georgian Trail runs 34km with long stretches along the Lake Huron waterfront. The Loree Forest Loop runs only 7.1km, making it great for beginners and features panoramic views of Georgian Bay. Meanwhile, experienced snowshoers will enjoy ascending Metcalf Rock, a popular location for rock climbing as well.
Visit Craft Breweries in Collingwood
Collingwood has a vibrant craft brewing scene with several notable breweries and distilleries as well as a kombucha brewer. The self-guided Collingwood Craft Beverage Tour offers a delicious tasting gauntlet for any beer and spirits connoisseur, highlighting some of the top brewers in the area. For instance, the Collingwood Brewery features fresh local brews like Collingwood Freestyle and the decadent Double Chocolate Milkshake Porter. Inspired by the clear waters and stunning sights of Georgian Bay, Freshwater Distillery produces premium spirits made with local ingredients and organic grains sourced from local farmers. For an organic, holistic refreshment, the Collingwood Kombucha Company offers fresh, healthy beverages in a variety of flavours, fermented in re-purposed oak wine barrels.
Special Thanks to the Comfort Inn & Suites in Collingwood, ON for their suggestions.
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