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Winter in Ontario Q&A WITH KATHERINE PALUMBO — TRAVEL WRITER & AWARD WINNING DIGITAL CREATOR Katherine Palumbo is the storyteller behind @explore.ontario, one of Ontario’s leading travel-focused content creators. With a passion for showcasing local experiences, hidden gems, and seasonal adventures, she has built a trusted community of Ontario travelers seeking inspiration close to home. How important is it to you to support local businesses and tourism partners through your content? I started Explore Ontario nearly a decade ago and have never strayed from the mission of only working with partners that are located here in Ontario. From tourism boards to overnight stays, brands, events, and businesses — they are 100 per cent Ontario founded and focused. It’s important for me to highlight and promote local businesses as we should all try to support the communities we live in as much as possible. My goal has always been to provide people with Ontario travel ideas and to communicate that some of the best places in the world are located right here in our own backyards.

How do you think Ontario’s winter season sets itself apart from other destinations you’ve visited? Ontario stands out because of how much there is to do here during winter. Our winters can be long and harsh, but as a province, we have done an excellent job at embracing winter and making the best of it. From skiing at Blue Mountain to skating through a forest at Arrowhead Provincial Park, to frozen waterfall hikes, and “igloo” dining experiences, Ontario has something for everyone.

How do you hope your content inspires people to see winter in Ontario differently? My goal with Explore Ontario is options, options, options. Whether you’re someone who loves winter sports, someone experiencing mobility issues, someone travelling with young children and or/animals, travelling on a budget, or someone who simply prefers a more ‘relaxed’ approach to the season, you will find something on Explore Ontario that resonates with you.

EXPLORING YEARROUND ADVENTURE AT HALIBURTON FOREST

aliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve Ltd. is a certified sustainably managed 100,000-acre forest. The organization is Rainbow Registered and works closely with surrounding First Nations communities. Its mission is to get people out into the forest and onto the land to build an appreciation for sustainability, conservation, and inclusivity through meaningful experiences. Best known year-round for its Wolf Centre, the reserve also offers a range of other experiences, cozy accommodations, summer and winter camping, and an on-site restaurant. In the winter, it’s an outdoor lover’s mecca. Whether you’re an angler, snowmobiler, ATVer, hiker, or snowshoer, nature lover, or adventurer, there’s something for you. The reserve offers snowmobile and snowshoe rentals, along with guided experiences, including fully outfitted ice fi shing, snowmobiling, and ice climbing. Guests can also explore on their own by foot, snowmobile, or ATV. For indoor activities, visitors can tour the Wolf Centre or try glassblowing, medieval combat, or painting with wolves. To learn more visit haliburtonforest.com.

Read the entire interview with Katherine on innovatingcanada.ca. Be sure to follow @explore.ontario on Instagram for more winter inspiration.

ENJOY A NOCO ESCAPE:

Art, the Outdoors, and Pure Relaxation Treat yourself to peace this winter. Be inspired by the art and the scenery, then indulge in soulful self-care in Northumberland County. Jen Mallia

ugging the shore of Lake Ont a r io i s cha r m i ng Northumberland County, or NoCo. It’s a delightful spot for a not-too-far-away weekend escape and, in the wintertime, it just might be the idyllic getaway you need.

Artful adventures The towns in Northumberland are a treasure trove of galleries and museums. Cobourg is home to the Art Gallery of Northumberland. With more than 950 works of art, it’s the largest public gallery in the region. Continue your art tour at the Northumberland Arts Gallery and Shop in Port Hope, the Presqu’ile Waddling Art Centre in Brighton, the Colborne Art Gallery, and the Ah! Arts and Heritage Centre of Warkworth, where you’ll discover a variety of local and visiting talent. For art with a side of quirk, visit some larger-than-life NoCo spots to snap your own arty photos. Check out the Giant Toonie in Campbellford; Colborne’s Big Apple; Pisces Pete, the 12-foot walleye sculpture in Hastings; or Presqu'ile Point Lighthouse, a 69-foot octagonal stone tower in Presqu’ile Provincial Park.

A breath of fresh air Treat yourself to some frosty time outdoors in NoCo. The region has seasonal hiking and fat biking trails, and cool birding opportunities. Strap on your boots for a hike along the Northumberland Rail Trail (part of the Trans Canada Trail) in Hastings or head to the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge for a winter thrill near Campbellford. Fat bike through the snow in the Northumberland County Forest, starting at the Woodland or Carstairs trailheads. Bird numbers are reduced in the winter, but Presqu’ile Provincial Park is still a hotspot for birders on the lookout for longtailed ducks, snowy owls, and, sometimes, surprise migratory visitors. Haute Goat in Port Hope will show you why winter is a great season for disc golf. Fewer crowds and bare trees make it the perfect time to hone your skills. Bonus: when your round is done, you can say hi to the goats and farm animals that call Haute Goat home.

Indulge in wellness The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be exhausting. A visit to Northumberland County is the perfect way to set yourself

up for a season of wellness. For those looking for an overnight wellness option, Ste. Anne’s Spa and Northumberland Heights Wellness Retreat and Spa are both popular. The outdoor hydrotherapy pools at Ste. Anne’s in Grafton (named one of Canada’s Best Spas by Destination Canada) are delightful, even in the colder weather. A variety of accommodation options are available, and the all-inclusive pricing system makes your visit a breeze. At Northumberland Heights in Cobourg, you’ll find a range of spa treatments, including Ayurvedic therapies. There are trails to walk and get your body moving, and an onsite restaurant to nourish yourself. Overnight accommodations have been renovated and include an ADA-compliant, accessible suite. There are plenty of other wellness options in Northumberland, too. Relax in a float tank or challenge yourself with hot and cold therapy, book an appointment at a spa with soothing scalp massages, or experience a salt cave oasis for the ultimate peace and quiet.

Give yourself the gift of a winter escape, close to home. Go Northumberlanding! To learn more about what the county has to oﬀer, visit northumberland tourism.com. This article was sponsored by Northumberland Tourism.

Publisher: Jonah Sofer Country Manager: Samantha Taylor Content & Client Success Manager: Nicole Kansakar Creative Director: Kylie Armishaw All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The Toronto Star or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.

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FROM CURIOUS TO COMPLETELY HOOKED:

Skiing at Searchmont

Strap in for fun and enjoy the laid-back charm of one of Northern Ontario’s premier ski resorts this winter.

Jen Mallia

ust shy of 50 kilometres from Sault Ste. Marie is the funfilled Searchmont Resort. It’s a friendly spot for skiers who are looking to get some time on the slopes not far from home, those just starting out, and people looking to introduce their kids to a new experience. Once you start at Searchmont, you aren’t going to want to stop. Balanced and approachable are the name of the game here. With a vertical of 214 metres (703 feet), the lift ride is only about seven minutes long. At Searchmont they say that’s high enough to get a good run in, but not high enough to make your nose bleed.

Terrain for every type of skier There are 26 runs in total, which makes for a nice variety without being so big you lose your kids. Roughly 20 per cent of the terrain is advanced, 30 per cent is beginner, and the remaining 50 per cent is just right for the novice skier. Ten of the runs at Searchmont are a full kilometre or longer. There are 100

acres of carvable rolling terrain, with bush trails and glades for those searching for a little adventure. And for the riders, there’s a wicked terrain park, complete with dedicated snow for busting out, cruising, and catching air. We’re legally obligated to warn you that spending time at Searchmont may lead to an addiction to skiing. Make it a full-on winter getaway and book one of the ski-in/ski-out suites at the base of the hill. Each suite is equipped with a kitchenette, but you can also grab a bite at the Caribou Cafe, the convenient cafeteria, or The Kiln, the on-hill full-service restaurant.

projected opening of early December for 2025, the hill was able to open its runs in mid-November. That means getting a jump on the season — Searchmont skiers were able to get their first runs in weeks before other resorts even opened. At the other end of the season is more excitement: the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association Snowcross Championship Final. The big event will be held April 11-12, 2026, at Searchmont. Plan now to be a part of the thrilling competition. Throughout the season, Searchmont is a great spot for outdoor recreation of all types. Of course there’s downhill skiing, but there’s also extensive snowmobiling trails and Nordic skiing — both skating and classic cross-country. Choose the intensity that suits you best, then set out under beautiful snow-covered scenery.

We’re legally obligated to warn you that spending time at Searchmont may lead to an addiction to skiing.

Extend the season, extend the fun The season stretches a little longer at Searchmont. It’s a good thing, because once you get a taste of the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, you’re going to want more. After a

Life’s better at Searchmont. Find out more at searchmont.com. This article was sponsored by Searchmont Resort.

Want a Winter of Wonder? Discover the Magic at Kivi Park Fall under the spell of Sudbury’s beloved nature park this winter. Bundle up and take part in the winter magic.

Jen Mallia magine skating through a copse of frosty birch trees, pretty lights twinkling as you glide by. It sounds a little magical, doesn’t it? It is, and you can experience it for yourself in the winter wonderland at Kivi Park. The park is located almost entirely on private land in Sudbury, a donation to the people from local philanthropist Lily Fielding. It’s a four-season playground that really shines in the winter.

If you prefer two wheels no matter the weather, you’ll want to take advantage of the cycling trails for fat bikes at Kivi Park. The 15.4 kilometres of trails are open year-round, so the cycling fun doesn’t have to stop once the snow flies. The trails are rated from green to double black, so no matter if you’re just getting on a fat bike for the first time or are an experienced rider looking for some thrills, you can find the trail for you.

Get active in the snow

Find everything you need for winter adventures

Among the chilly treasures you can take part in at Kivi Park is a skate along Nina’s Way. It’s a 1.3-kilometre path that winds its way through the forest, lit up by LEDs. It’s an enchanting way to spend time with your family, or to put your winter romance into overdrive. Another popular activity is cross-country skiing at Kivi Park, and it’s easy to see why. Skiers love spending time in the quiet beauty of the park on the 21.2 kilometres of trails, all professionally groomed. There are eight trails, ranging in length from a laid-back one-kilometre green route to a more challenging nine-kilometre black or double black route.

Don’t have the equipment you need for winter sports? Don’t worry, the on-site rental shop, Adventure365, can help you out. While they don’t offer skate rentals, they do have a host of gear, including Nordic skis (classic or skate skis with poles and boots), lightweight fat bikes, and snowshoes. Kivi Pass holders can even opt for the Kivi Adventure Pass — an annual unlimited rental pass that also includes canoe, kayak, SUP, and mountain bike rentals in the warmer months. There’s magic in getting your body moving in the enchanting natural surroundings, but when you want to unwind, you’ll be able to find the perfect spot in Kivi Park too. Grab a hot chocolate and a locally baked goodie from the Wishing Tree Café to warm up with a sweet treat. Try getting cozy in a Muskoka chair beside an outdoor fireplace in the all-season outdoor lounge.

Ready to visit? Passes to Kivi Park are an affordable way to add a little charm to your winter. They’re available to buy online and are offered for individuals and families for the day, week, weekend, or all year. It’s important to keep either the printed pass or the digital version on your phone with you while you’re at the park.

Be enchanted by the winter magic at Kivi Park. Visit kivipark.com for all the details. This article was sponsored by Kivi Park.

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