Brrr-ing on big winter fun

Cross-country skiing & Snowshoeing

Hilton Falls Conservation Area in Milton will help veteran cross-country skiers break a sweat across 3 different trails across 15km that range in difficulty and length. Following the excursion, participants can warm up beside a crackling bonfire while sipping hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows.

Other great cross country ski options in Halton include:

Mountsberg Conservation Area: 6.5 km of trails.

Crawford Lake Conservation Area: 5 km of trails.

Terra Cotta Conservation Area: 6 km of trails, rental ski and snowshoe equipment available.

Closer to the waterfront:

Bronte Creek Provincial Park: 10km of trails that loop through the entire park.

Joshua Creek Trail in Oakville is frequented by winter wildlife.

If you are looking for options around Hamilton,

Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area: 14 km of trails, rental ski and snowshoe equipment available on weekends and weekdays if advance reservations are made.

Christie Lake Conservation Area: The south side of the lake makes for beautiful skiing and using their Round the Lake Trail will ski you across the dam for a unique experience.

Across the County of Brant and Brantford:

The 32-km Brantford to Hamilton Rail Trail is a frosty favourite of avid cross country skiers.

The Chiefswood Park Trail takes you along their carnelian forest and the Grand River.

If you’re looking for a shorter trail, the SC Johnson Trail, which runs 14 kilometres between Paris and Brantford, is another great option to get the most out of your skiis.

Winter Hiking

Some warriors can enjoy the crisp, frost air with a scenic hike without breaking out the skis. In addition to the trails above, you can add in urban exploration and escarpment trails to take in snow-blanketed roofs and fields

D’Aubigny Creek and Lorne Bridge Trails also offer you frozen sights along the Grand River closer to Brantford

Check out the beautiful Albion Falls, Tiffany Falls or a frozen Devil’s Punchbowl to observe amazing icicle formations alongside an already amazing natural landscape

or walk along the peaceful waters of Lake Ontario at Hamilton’s Bayfront Park, Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park, or Oakville’s Lakeside Park, Waterworks Park, Coronation Park or Bronte Heritage Park

Winter Wildlife Watching

Dust off that pair of binoculars and bring them along while you hike the trails at Hilton Falls Conservation Area and you’re bound to spy some feathered friends on your trek. Or if you would rather skip the hike and have a guaranteed encounter with majestic raptors, visit the Mountsberg Raptor Centre to get an up-close and personal experience.

Exploring 25km of frosted-over shoreline in Cootes Paradise at the Royal Botanical Gardens is another location full of winter wildlife. Waterbirds such as Bufflehead, Golden Eye and Hooded Mergansers often draw a variety of raptors and it is not uncommong to spot a Red-tailed Hawk or even a soaring Bald Eagle. Be sure to bring your camera to capture the moment!

Do remember that the sensitive balance of nature can be damaged by feeding the wildlife. Please do not feed or engage with the wildlife in nature and conservation areas to preserve their natural beauty for all.

Hit the slopes

Did you know that in under an hour’s drive from downtown Toronto you can find amazing downhill skiing and snowboarding on the Niagara Escarpment? Milton’s Glen Eden offers downhill ski and snowboard rentals, 6 lifts, 16 slopes and freestyle terrain. Ski and snowboarding lessons are also available.

Outdoor ice skating

Sharpen up those skates! There’s something extra special about skating on an outdoor rink, and Hamilton Halton Brant has some fabulous choices. 

Experience waterfront skating along the bay at the Pier 8 Hamilton Waterfront Outdoor Rink, Coronation Park in Oakville or the Burlington Rotary Centennial Pond before warming up after with some hot cocoa and food around the nearby shops. 

For rinks in Halton, Terra Cotta Conservation Area offers ice skating on their frozen pond and offers a serene experience in nature. Or make it a daytrip to skate in Glen Williams on their community baseball diamond-turn-ice-rink and be sure to visit the artist enclave of the Williams Mill and enjoy food at the Copper Keattle. 

If you’re journeying towards Brantford and the County of Brant, the Mount Pleasant park rink is a short distance from the Windmill Country Market and makes for a great treat after a session of skating. Harmony Square in downtown Brantford is home to another wonderful outdoor rink that offers free skating from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. 

Climb a frozen waterfall

Local outfitter, One Axe Pursuits, will gear you up and teach you everything you need to know to scale Ancaster’s frozen Tiffany Falls with an ice axe this winter. Learn more and book online through One Axe Pursuits.

Ice Fishing and Winter Camping

Why save the fun of fishing just for summer? Ice fishing is a great way to spend a sunny winter afternoon. Plan your fishing trip around a designated Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, which means you can fish in Ontario on those days without buying a fishing license. Great ice fishing options in the region include:

Valens Lake Conservation Area: sink a line through the ice and fish for Northern Pike, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, and Yellow Perch.
Fifty Point Conservation Area: fish for Perch, Pike and Brown Trout at Fifty Point in Stoney Creek.
Binbrook Conservation Area: rent an ice hut during ice fishing season and don’t miss the popular ice fishing derby held each February.
Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area: fish for Blue Gill and Black Crappie on a frozen 23-acre kettle lake.

Bring your own comfy cocoon and wake up to fresh, crisp morning frost before a day of exploring. The Valens Lake Conservation Area offers this unique experience for the hardiest of Winter Warriors and you can reserve a site by phone by calling (905) 525-2183.

Frosty Events and Winter Festivals

Bundle up! Hamilton Halton Brant’s lineup of winter events make the cold months worth celebrating.

The multi-award winning annual Winterlit at Mountsberg runs from December 30th to February 17th and is a magical experience of lights in nature as you walk the snowy trails along the Mountsberg Conservation area. There are usually extra activities on New Year’s, Family Break, and Valentines so check their website to learn more. 

Royal Botanical Gardens have been steadily expanding their winter event line-up for everyone to enjoy. Explore Hendrie Park as it transforms into a holiday wonderland each December for Winter Wonders, or have a new dinner and Jazz experience of WinterTide and be serenaded by live music over a meal.

Check our Events and Experience pages to find new ways to enjoy Winter in Hamilton Halton Brant!