10 Outdoor Winter Activities In Toronto

Toronto is lucky to be inundated with trails and green space. It can be a bit tough to navigate the grounds in the winter with all that snow, so why not slap some showshoes on? You can rent snowshoes at a variety of sports stores, either for the day, weekend, or a full week, with prices ranging from $20-$50. Some great trails include King’s Mill Park Trail, west of the Humber River, or Bronte Coronation. For a more relaxed, scenic, and laid-back route, try the Edwards’ Garden trail.

Do you know how hard it is to make a sculpture out of ice? It is surprisingly challenging, which is why you should check out the annual Bloor-Yorkville Iciest if you’re there during that time. Visitors will be able to watch as artists compete for their vote, creating crystal-like sculptures that adhere to a theme each year.

If you don’t have skates or snowshoes, try going for a hike along one of the many winter trails around Toronto. High Park Trails, right next to Bloor West Village, spans 161 hectares and provides a lovely escape from the stress of urban life. The Sun Valley Trail is 1.3 km in the heart of Crothers Woods, located in the Don River Valley. The Beltline, near Forest Hill, is a seven-kilometer trail that passes through the Beltline Railway, a commuter rail line built in the 1800s. The best part? Each of these trails is accessible via public transit.

Have fantasies of spiraling downhill at wicked speeds, the wind in your hair, snow building up under your boots? Tobogganing is not just for the young, and in Toronto there are loads of hills to choose from. Christie Pits, Riverdale Park, and Trinity Bellwoods Park have a number of hills, while the slopes at High Park have options for beginners and for those who have a need for speed.

Instead of the traditional winter activities — skating, building a snowman, taking the family tobogganing — why not try something new? Curling may seem like an easy sport to master, but it’s full of challenges. You need an understanding of geometry, teamwork, and strength (the trifecta of a good curler). Sweeping can be a lot of fun. Access to a rink might be difficult without buying into membership at a club, but there are a few places you can visit to play; just check your community clubs and rinks. Leaside Curling Club, for example, rents ice to small groups and organizations.

Looking for a challenge? Is rock climbing getting a bit passé? Ice climbing requires a bit of a drive out to Guelph, Ontario, or Tiffany Falls, Ancaster. For $160 you can try your hand at this adventurous sport. Throughout the day you will learn how to rope, belay, and use proper ice climbing techniques so you can do it yourself. No experience is needed, but a medium fitness level is required. The first climb is set for Jan 30.

You don’t need a designated area or any specialized equipment for this one. Pick a park, put on a pair of thick gloves, and get going. Just be careful not to hit any non-participants in the face.