ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT
FIND YOUR WINTER WONDERLAND
January • 2023
From relaxing retreats to outdoor adventures, your winter wonderland awaits in Sarnia-Lambton
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IN SARNIA-LAMBTON
RESPONSIBLE TRAVELER ADVERTORIAL
Experience the Winter Wonderland in Sarnia-Lambton When the winter season hits Southwestern Ontario, it brings out two types of adventurers: those who are looking to escape f rom the cold days and those who fully embrace the winter weather and seek
exciting winter activities outside. Just a few hours west of the Greater Toronto Area, Sarnia-Lambton is the perfect place for both types of winter-season explorers. Relaxing winter getaways,
endless indoor and outdoor entertainment and activity options for you and your family, and a perfect backdrop of a winter wonderland along Ontario’s Blue Coast make Sarnia-Lambton your next destination to explore and create lasting winter memories. With so many choices, here are some travel ideas to help you explore your winter wonderland in Sarnia-Lambton.
GET COZY AND RELAX
Those who want to escape the colder weather and prefer a cozy getaway to relax and recharge from everyday life can pamper themselves with a complete relaxation getaway, including high-end accommodations, mindful reflection, decadent meals, and local drinks. First, settle into your perfect accommodation location at the Colonial Hotel, Kiwi Motel in Grand Bend, or the Insignia Hotel in Sarnia. Then get pampered with a complete spa treatment at the Glass and Pillar Spa in Sarnia, or find your inner calm with yoga and meditation f rom Raven Heart Studio in
INSIGNIA HOTEL © PEONY AND SAFFRON PHOTOGRAPHY
Sarnia or West Coast Yoga Studio in Grand Bend. Finally, top off the perfect cozy and relaxing weekend by indulging in a local food and beverage pairing. With 16 different craft drink producers and amazing culinary experiences, every area of SarniaLambton provides a culinary experience to complement your cozy and relaxing winter getaway.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
When the f resh snow hits the ground, it creates a perfect invitation to explore the outdoor winter wonderland in SarniaLambton. Try your skill at crosscountry skiing or snowshoeing over 373 miles of winter trails f rom St. Clair to Sarnia and throughout Lambton Shores. If you are looking for an outdoor activity for the family, the Canatara Animal Farm in Sarnia is a perfect setting to explore the shores of Ontario’s Blue Coast in Sarnia-Lambton while meeting some new furry animal friends. For those looking for a picturesque winter moment, the shorelines of Ontario’s Blue Coast in Sarnia-Lambton provide
a perfect winter sunset backdrop to commemorate your amazing winter wonderland weekend.
ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL AGES
Sometimes your winter wonderland includes a little bit of both indoor and outdoor adventures for you and your family. If that sounds like your perfect winter getaway, try your hand at the new and exciting sport of disc golf at Forest Golf Club and Inn, explore one of the many museums, play a round of indoor golf at one of Sarnia-Lambton’s three indoor golf facilities, or get your game on at District Beta’s video and VR arcade. Whether your winter wonderland is calm and relaxing, exciting and adventurous, or a mix of both, Sarnia-Lambton has so many options that you can explore and discover a perfect winter getaway. Plan your winter wonderland getaway today at ontbluecoast.com. @tourismsarnialambton @ontariosbluecoast
A Winter Road Trip in Canada: Five Destinations to Explore ALLIE MURRAY
historic sites and places to explore. Point Pelee is the southernmost point of mainland Canada and the first national park in Canada to be established for conservation. Throughout the winter, the park is the perfect place for hiking and cross-country skiing—and, on a clear night enjoy stargazing and charting the constellations.
Known as The Great White North, Canada has an abundance of exciting winter travel. From annual winter events to cold weather fun, there is no shortage of things to discover.
BLUE MOUNTAIN
Just two hours north of Toronto, Blue Mountain is home to one of the best ski villages in Ontario. The slopes have 42 trails and are not only perfect for skiing and snowboarding, but visitors also enjoy sledding and snow tubing. After a long day on the slopes, explore the pedestrian village of Blue Mountain Village. It’s filled with gift shops, restaurants, pubs, and fun for the whole family to explore—and be sure to grab the Canadian delicacy BeaverTails before heading home. The trip to Blue Mountain from New York State is made easier with buses and trains available daily.
OTTAWA
Every winter, the historic Rideau Canal in Ottawa turns into the world’s largest skating rink.
TORONTO
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Weaving through the nation’s capital, the trail creates a skating rink that is a total length of 4.8 miles and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The skating season typically runs from January to March, but is depending on weather conditions, as ice experts need 10 to 14 consecutive days of temperatures between 14°F and -4°F for good quality ice.
KINGSTON
Kingston is located just outside the Thousand Islands border crossing and is a charming town full of Canadian history. In 1841 when Canada was known as the United Province of Canada, Kingston was named the country’s first capital city and served as a fort during the first and second world wars. Now, Kingston is a bustling
city, drawing in visitors from across Canada and the U.S.— especially in February when the city hosts its annual Feb Fest. The month-long festival boasts hockey games, light shows, ice sculptures, and more.
WINDSOR
Along the Canadian-United States border sits Windsor, an exciting region filled with
In 2020, Toronto was named the top city in North America for sustainable travel, garnering top points for its focus on public transport, green spaces, and renewable energy. The city, which brings in millions of tourists and locals alike, is home to countless things to do and explore. For a sustainable stay, visit Chelsea Hotel Toronto, which is a certified green hotel by Earth Check. The hotel uses energysaving light bulbs, showerheads, biodegradable liquids, and soaps; and sustainability elements are integrated into all levels of design.
ADVERTORIAL
Elevate Your Pride Game at Pride Toronto 2023 Toronto is home to one of the largest pride celebrations across the globe. With more than 2.4 million attendees in 2022, Pride Toronto came out of the pandemic with a f ierce and thunderous roar! With one of the most diverse populations in the world, Pride Toronto is a massive celebration of diversity, inclusion, and all things queer. If you’re looking to elevate your pride game, Pride Toronto is an absolute must! Pride has been a long time in the making, from a small gathering of dedicated activists fighting for their right to love and be seen to the vibrant celebration we know and love today. Since 1970, the pride movement has supported 2SLGBTQ+ communities in pursuing the unequivocal right to be heard, understood, accepted, and respected. From the f irst picnic organized by Toronto’s f irst queer activist organizations that became the “Gay Day Picnic” to the f irst Toronto Pride Week march in 1974 and the addition of the Trans March in 2009, Pride Toronto celebrates the
communities that have continued to gather and celebrate the beauty and confidence that comes from being your most authentic self. Pride Toronto was founded on the fundamental truth that love prevails, and we are all deserving of it. It continues a legacy that is deeply intertwined with the rich, progressive history of Toronto’s queer community. “While we celebrate how far we have come as a community, Pride Month is also a critical time to lift up and advocate for many vulnerable groups within the 2SLGBTQ+ community who continue to be marginalized and left behind,” shared Board Co-Chairs Grant Gonzales and Yuri Hernandez. Pride Toronto is a celebration of love and diversity, but there is always room to include important conversations about how we can help change our world for the better and improve acceptance and accessibility across our communities. Toronto starts to celebrate all things queer with the coming of June, also known as Pride Month.
The Pride festivities culminate on Festival Weekend—June 2325—when the city’s world-renowned Pride Parade takes over Yonge Street, the longest street in the world. The weekend is known for being the best celebration in
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elevate your pride game... pridetoronto.com
the country, and hotels and flights to the city book up well in advance. Make sure you book early to get in on the best deals and experiences Pride Toronto has to offer. In addition to the city’s famous Pride Parade, Pride Toronto offers other
exciting flagship events during Festival Weekend, including the Trans March, Dyke March, and StreetFair. With everyone wanting to get in on the celebration, Pride Toronto provides opportunities to experience some of the best DJs and performers in the world. And if drag is your thing, Pride Toronto has a vibrant Drag Ball planned as well! Toronto also offers some of the country's best cultural and culinary experiences. Toronto is extremely accessible to New York. A flight to Toronto is just over an hour and a half, and you can land directly in the city center by flying into the island airport. Come for the parade and stay for the whimsical and exciting performances, thought-provoking conversations, and immersive art installations. Supporting Pride Toronto means amplifying these voices and prioritizing local, community-focused advocacy. With an even bigger and more fabulous festival in the works for 2023, make sure to firm up your plans soon, and elevate your Pride game!