Perfect getaways for kids

Need a perfect getaway with your kids this summer. Resorts of Ontario can help and in fact, our resorts excel at providing a superior family oriented experience. We specialize in the family experiences by providing kids programs specific to age group. You can rest easy knowing that your child is being cared for by trained staff whose job is to make sure all the kids are having fun. And while your kid is off on daily adventures, you can go for some of your own fun or relaxation by taking in a game of golf, treating yourself to a favourite (or newly discovered) spa treatment, or just sitting in quiet area of the natural Ontario resort settings.

Some of the activities your child(ren) will enjoy at our resorts are mountain biking clinics, golf clinics, learning to fish, wakeboarding and waterskiing, tubing, playing games and more. While each resort is different the bottom line is having fun. At Blue Mountain their Kids program, will keep your little one smiling all day with their different themed adventure days, plunges in their pools and even tennis clinics. Kids Korral at Horseshoe Resort, will take your kids through the discovery of something new each day by teaching different activities and skill levels based on the age group your child fits into. Cleveland’s House Resort’s – Cleve’s Kids Club offers “Ontario’s largest and most extensive children’s program.” Here your kids have an emphasis on fun and learning in a safe environment up to 18 years old. At Cleveland’s House, they also have programs to get the whole family involved with their talent shows, amazing family race nights, bon fire nights and more. At Fern Resort, your family will have so many fond memories that you’ll be looking forward to your return visit. Whether you go for the kids programs, the entertainment, dance parties to cooking classes they offer something for everyone. The VIK Club (Very Important Kids Club) at the Delawana Inn, Spa and Conference Resort is a supervised day camp for children ages 3-12 and includes arts and crafts, rock climbing, land sports and water activities, and more. There are several resorts that offer children’s programs and I encourage you to visit the family resorts section of our website.

As the day winds down, you can catch up with your kids on their fun-filled day over some of the fantastic meals prepared by the resort chefs. Don’t worry, the chefs still have kids in mind and prepare meals for the palates of youth and adults alike with a variety of menu options to choose from. When you have finished your meal, relax and sit back for some of the nightly entertainment provide which includes everything from water skiing shows, family friendly comedians and shows and even outdoor movies.

There is still lots of time left in the summer, so pack the car and come on up to our place for your great family friendly adventure.

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Skiing & Snowboarding in Resort Country

Skiing/Snowboarding in resort country is a fantastic way to escape the winter blahs and feel the rush of setting off down hill through groomed trails and fresh powder. Being a fairly new snowboarder, I have certainly been excited with the early and massive accumulations of fresh snow this winter at the different  Ontario ski resorts. Depending on the area you are looking to travel to there are many options to get out and try this activity.

For central Ontario, Blue Mountain Resort near Collingwood is an excellent choice for those looking to get that Ski Village feel offered out west. The village offers a variety of restaurants and nightlife opportunities to keep your energy pumping long after you have left the hills for the day. The resort offers an outdoor heated pool which is always fun on a winter’s day. Horseshoe Resort outside of Barrie and Orillia has been working hard at updating their Terrain Park and is a great place with options of staying at Horseshoe or Carriage Ridge Resort. Further down the road is Mount. St. Louis Moonstone which is just a quick drive from Christie’s Mill Inn and Spa and Muskey’s Landing.

 

In the Haliburton Region Sir Sam’s Skiing offers 12 trails of great fun and with Sir Sam’s Inn and WaterSpa located near the base of the hill, you can stay in comfort and give your muscles some much-needed relaxation through hydro therapy. Also nearby is Pinestone Resort, Sandy Lane Resort, Bonnie View Inn and Halimar Resort all offering their own comfortable accommodations and winter fun activities.

 

For those visiting the Ottawa area Calabogie Peaks Resort offers the convenience of 23 runs at the resort. For those looking to take in the Capital, you can also book ski packages through Brookstreet Hotel and have the best of skiing and history while staying at a great hotel.

 

Muskoka is often thought of as a summer destination for the pristine lakes but those that have visited the area in winter know that Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is a great place to get out an enjoy some downhill fun. With it’s longest run being 580 meters (1902 ft.) there is a great opportunity to explore and have fun on the slopes for a day. There are many resorts to stay at in Muskoka that are just a short drive to the ski hill including Deerhurst Resort, Beauview Cottages, Cedar Grove Lodge, Bondi Cottage Resort plus many others.

 

If you are in the Greater Toronto Area and don’t want to venture far, Hockley Valley Resort is just a quick 45 minute drive north. With 15 runs, both an upper and lower level terrain park and state of the art snow making, there is a long season ahead for those looking to take advantage of the convenience Hockley Valley offers.

 

Regardless of which part of Ontario you are looking to visit, skiing and snowboarding gives you a great way to get out and experience an adrenaline packed sport that is fun for first timers and lifetime skiers. While you might be intimidated to try this out, each of the ski areas mentioned offers lessons to help you get the hang of it, which at the end of the day makes the hills that much more enjoyable. Come on up to our place for great skiing.

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Spooky Resort Halloween events

Resorts are in the business of having fun, making and event out of any occasion and this year Halloween is no exception.

For some live entertainment starting at 9pm on Oct. 30^th check out Jamie “Spooky” Williams playing at Bayview Wildwood Resort for an all ages show. You can find a tombstone to rest your head on and a plot to lay on for only $59 + taxes based on dbl occ. Donations are being collected at the door for the local food bank. Reservations are required so call ahead to 1-800-461-0243.

For a more adult party consider Horseshoe Resort which is also getting set for their “Costume-rific Party.” This 19+ event being held in the Crazy Horse restaurant, will feature live entertainment, apple bobbing contest, dancing and best costume prizes. There will also be Molson girls handing out prizes and samples.

      Looking for a truly haunting experience, then you have to visit Pillar and Post in Niagara on the Lake. This old town with a rich history from the war of 1812 has haunted tours at Fort George located down the road. Pillar and Post also has a rich history of eye-witness accounts claiming to see a disappearing person. People have even seemed to walk through this “person” from time to time when rounding the wooden Pillars in the dining room.

An excerpt from “Ghosts of Niagara-on-the-Lake” reads:

“The Pillar and Post’s Vintages Wine Bar and Lounge is a paranormal hotspot. This cozy, fire-lit room is intimate and charming, the ideal place for a quiet glass of wine and a hushed conversation. Yet, despite the warmth of the hearth, some suggest there’s something cold about the room, an intangible chill that seems to be centered upon a painting of Lieutenant Colonel John Butler that hangs upon the wall.

Folklore suggests this oddly unsettling painting was the Colonel’s favourite portrait of himself, and that his spirit followed it to the Pillar and Post and often sits in the chairs that sit beneath it. According to Restaurant Manager Bill Putman, several members of the serving staff are afraid of Butler’s painting. “They say they feel as if his eyes actually follow them as they walk through the room, and some servers have felt the hair on the back of their necks rise as if they could sense someone unpleasant watching them,” he explains. “It’s also said that temperatures sometimes change suddenly and drastically in the lounge, for absolutely no reason.”

The door just to the side of this painting is said to open and close on its own accord, and people have inexplicably tripped in front of these chairs—as if stumbling over the invisible Colonel’s outstretched legs. In addition, cutlery and plates are said to mysteriously move from table to table, much to the frustration of staff.

These stories are just some examples of how the Pillar and Post’s rich past is a spirited part of its charm.” 

Andrew Hind and Maria Da Silva, authors of Ghosts of Niagara-on-the-Lake (Dundurn, 2008)

 With options of fun for the whole family, why not come up to our place and start a new Halloween tradition for you and your ghoulish family.

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“Base Camp for Adventure…”

You may have seen or heard the slogan “Your base camp for adventure,” as part of advertising for Horseshoe Resort in Barrie. If you haven’t heard this yet or don’t know what it is about, Horseshoe Resort has built a new adventure park with fun for the whole family. As part of the new park you can try zorbing which puts you inside a giant ball and sends you rolling and bouncing down the hill (This is the first Zorb park in Canada!) Feel the rush of the wind on your face as you zip over 2000 ft down Canada’s only Zip Flyer.  Take your life to new heights climbing the 32 ft high tower.  Let your adrenaline flow free as your race down the new downhill mountain biking park’s different runs featuring ladders, bridges and boxes. Like to skate or bmx? Bring your board, bike or skates and try the new skate park. With all that is new at Horseshoe Resort, this truly is “your base camp for adventure.” For those seeking softer activities, Horseshoe also offers two golf courses – The Highlands and Valley, horseback riding, a Shizen spa, skiing/snowboarding plus so much more. Come on up to Horseshoe for your next adventure.

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Ski, Christmas and New Year’s deals

If you live in Ontario, no doubt you heard about the massive snowstorm that hit Ontario’s cottage country late last week. It dumped well over a metre of snow! Ontario ski resorts are delighted with snow conditions which are expected to be excellent right through the holiday season. 

We corresponded with many ski resorts last month. All are offering competitive rates. Check here for overnight getaways that include skiing or snowboarding at Hockley Valley, Sir Sam’s, Blue Mountain, Hidden Valley, Horseshoe Resort, Mount St. Louis Moonstone and Calabogie Peaks. 

New Year's Eve party at Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls

 

Many other Resorts of Ontario members sent us their Christmas and New Year’s Eve plans and we included these on previous posts. On a November 13th post,  you’ll find Christmas ideas and deals. On November 18th, we posted about resort family, food and spa ideas for the holidays. On the November 26th post, we turned our attention to what some of the resorts have planned for New Year’s Eve. And then last week’s post, we added more deals for New Year’s. You can also scroll down and find other resort getaways suitable for a holiday break on earlier posts. The holidays at the resorts include elaborate chef menus for Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve dinners, some great food and spa getaways for couples and lots of Christmas and New Year’s deals for families and couples at hotels, lodges, inns and cottage resorts across the province. 

The Taylor Cup competition – outdoor hockey at Bayview Wildwood Resort

 

Further ski, Christmas and New Year’s getaway deals can be found on the Resorts of Ontario website. Over one hundred resort members are linked to this site. They’re listed alphabetically. There’s also a search engine that will help you narrow down your resort choices by type, by Ontario region, by season and by activity. Click on winter, for example, and you’ll see you get more options to further narrow your search. Even pet owners can check which resorts are pet-friendly. A monthly resort newsletter is also on the site and it lists package deals too. To view or to sign up for it, check here. 

Safe and happy holidays everyone! 

Pontoons get changed for skis in winter at Elmhirst Resort

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Ski getaways at Ontario resorts

With Winter 2009-10 fast approaching we thought it might be fun to check out some of the ski deals that Resorts of Ontario will be offering this year. The resorts included in this post either have their own ski hills or they are offering a ski deal with lift tickets included. However, there are plenty more out there with great winter deals that are close to Ontario’s downhill ski centres. For a complete list of these, check here.

Blue Mountain, Ontario’s best known ski destination, gets a lot of newbies wanting to try skiing or snowboarding so it developed a Discover Ski & Snowboard program. Since the program began, hundreds of couples, groups of friends and families have learned to ski and snowboard at the resort. This year, Blue Mountain Inn has a new Stay & Learn to Ski package to go along with its Discover Ski & Snowboard Program. The package includes one night of accommodation, a beginner lift ticket, equipment rental and lesson, a breakfast and a Pottery Restaurant dinner and is priced per person, double occupancy. Village Suites has a similar package with breakfast as a buy in option. If you decide to book either deal, drop by Jozo’s in Blue Mountain Inn for some great apres ski. When we visited Blue Mountain earlier this year, we heard it’s where all the locals hang out after a day on the hill. Similar getaways are offered at other Blue Mountain accommodations. For the best rates, reserve online or call one of the resort’s leisure and travel representatives at 705-445-0231 or 877-445-0231.

The new WaterSpa at Sir Sam’s Inn

Looking to combine romance and skiing? Sir Sam’s is the perfect find. This romantic Haliburton-area inn not only has its own ski hill, its WaterSpa is spectacular and the inn’s dining and wine list are both superb. Its ski hill has lots of gentle runs and a welcoming atmosphere for newbie skiers. This winter, Sir Sam’s has a two-night “Learn to Ski” package that includes accommodation, dinner and breakfast each day, plus a day on the hills with full equipment, lift ticket and lesson. Save $55 and go mid week when this getaway is priced from $670 per couple.

Eastern Ontario’s Calabogie Peaks and Dickson Manor have developed a fun package for couples looking for a brief escape from the holiday crazies. Running from December 20-23, the package includes an overnight in one of the manor’s deluxe rooms, dinner for two in its Canthooks Fine Dining Restaurant, 20% off of ski or snowboard lift tickets and complimentary ice skating, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. It’s priced at $199 per couple. Dickson Manor also has an outdoor hot tub, indoor pool and fitness centre.

One of the rooms at Hidden Valley Resort

Hidden Valley Resort is just outside of Huntsville, Ontario. Considered to be a good value ski hill with no line ups, Hidden Valley has its own luxurious hillside resort and restaurant. Ski & Stay packages here start as low as $85 per person, per night, double occupancy. Learn to Ski/Skateboard are two night packages starting at $215 per night, double occupancy. A variety of ski lift tickets are also offered to guests at a discounted rate.

Horseshoe Resort is just over an hour north of Toronto near Barrie, Ontario. It has a Ski & Stay package this season that combines unlimited skiing or snowboarding for two with one night of accommodation and breakfast, based on double occupancy. All rooms have wireless hi-speed internet, movies and video games. And here’s something worth noting, this hotel is pet friendly and has an 8000 square foot dog park. Priced from $2o3 per night, double occupancy, the package runs November 27-28, December 4-5, 2009 and then from December 11, 2009 – March 21, 2010

View from the deck of The Chalet at Horseshoe Resort

Close to Horseshoe Resort, you’ll find Carriage Ridge. This family-oriented resort has partnered with two area ski hills this winter; Horseshoe Resort and Mount St. Louis Moonstone. Its open-concept condo suites are suitable for couples, small families or groups of friends. The suites include kitchen facilities, a king side bed, queen sofa-sleeper, balcony and living area. One or two bedroom suites with full kitchens, fireplaces and jacuzzi tubs are available for larger groups. There’s also an indoor pool, kids pool, hot tub and games room. A “Ski-Xtreme getaway” is one of several offered this winter. It includes a one night stay in one of the oversized condo suites, a lift pass for Mount St. Louis Moonstone or Horseshoe Resort, lunch voucher and skiers welcome gift. Packages start at $89 per person, double occupancy and kids stay free.

The main buildings at Hockley Valley Resort

Hockley Valley Resort is another ski resort close to Toronto. We wrote a bit about it in last week’s post. It has a bunch of great ski packages listed on its web site starting at $229 double occupancy but we liked its Winter Bliss package. It includes one night’s accommodation, lift ticket for skiing or snowboarding, full buffet hot and cold breakfast, three-course dinner for two and a $75 spa credit per person for Hockley’s hillside spa. Priced from $463, double occupancy.

For more resort packages, sign up for the Resorts of Ontario newsletter.

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Family activities, pirates and wooden boats at Clevelands House

Sunset on Lake Rosseau from the wharf at Clevelands House Resort

I love the new Pirate Ship Cruise for kids at Clevelands House Resort. It’s a dinner cruise for the kids on Thursday nights from 5-7 pm aboard the notorious Muskoka pirate ship Wenonah II. Clevelands House is probably the last remaining of all the grand hotels that were built in Muskoka at a time when rail and water were the only way to get there. Today this resort is very family-oriented. They’ve got 55 qualified counsellors to care for and entertain infants to teens. Check out the Cleve’s Kids Club! Parents can take advantage of their babysitting and something they call “hallsitting” – kind of like the hall monitors we had back in school.

The pirate ship is a perfect fit for a resort which was built to look like a boat 140 years ago when, who knows, maybe there was the odd pirate stalking the Muskoka Lakes. Bob Cornell, whose family is only the third to manage the resort in 140 years spoke to me recently. Great guy to talk to. He started his resort career at Clevelands House as a bellhop in 1949. His son-in-law is Ted Carruthers, the current General Manager of the resort. The Minett family, the original owners of Clevelands House, homesteaded here in 1869, and it wasn’t long after that that they were in the resort business. As well as building Clevelands House, the Minetts were also in the boat building business. Minett boats, and later, Minett-Shields Boats, set the standards for the great wooden boat building history of the Muskoka area. Bob Cornell remembers well the 1917 “Mineta” that used to take resort guests on excursions around the lake.

More Clevelands House history can be found here.

If you’re thinking of a holiday in Ontario this summer, check out Resorts of Ontario for family/summer packages. Packaging activities together with accommodations can save money! This is an example of a “Family adventure” package – Ultimate HORSEplay Adventure at Horseshoe Resort. This package includes two night’s accommodation, daily breakfast, two-hour Rhino Safari (ATVs), Tree Top Trekking Adventure, two 18-hole rounds of golf, two Kids Korral Adventure Day Camp and one dinner at the Crazy Horse! Rate based on two adults and two children (ages 11 and under). Price is $800.00 plus tax and resort amenity fee.

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