Pukaskwa National Park

From Thunder Bay through Cochrane down to North Bay and Huntsville in the south, northern Ontario is an immense region. Stretching from the Hudson Bay to the north, and to the south, Lake Superior and Lake Huron - this is a vast wilderness filled with lakes, rivers and trails.The Near North region of Ontario is ablaze with fall colors and in Cochrane, the south terminus of the Polar Bear Express is ready for winter travelers. Head indoors in Thunder Bay, where the Magnus Theatre is celebrating it’s 40th anniversary and hosting a series of fall and winter performances by the Professional Theatre of Northwestern Ontario.

Cochrane Ontario is located near the 49th parallel and visitors are welcomed to town by Chimo, the giant Polar Bear statue and town mascot. Join the community of Cochrane for the 2012 Winter Carnival in February, or visit anytime after snow begins to fly to enjoy the area's “White Gold”. A snowmobilers wonderland, there are over 650km of groomed trails for riding. Join the Polar Bear Riders Snowmobile Club of Cochrane for the Polar Bear Riders Major Bear Run in January – a one day rally full of fun events, entertainment, prizes and a dance.

Huntsville, in Ontario’s District of Muskoka, is just about two hours north from Toronto. The gateway to Algonquin Park, the Huntsville area makes a wonderful destination for scenic fall travel and winter adventure. Fen Lake or Leaf Lake Ski Trails are ideal for cross-country skiing, especially nice after a fresh snowfall.

Huntsville’s Arrowhead Provincial Park is known for its cross-country skiing and abilities development programs. The Park hosts the 2012 Ontario Winter ParaSport Games and the OFSAA Nordic Ski Championships February 22nd through 24th. While you’re in Huntsville, treat the kids to snowtubing at Rock Ridge Recreation Park or downhill skiing at Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area.

Less than two hours north of Huntsville, the City of North Bay is situated near the northeast shore of Lake Nipissing. Jack Garland Airport services the city and makes air travel to North Bay convenient. Home of Nipissing University, fall and winter in North Bay is filled with NU Laker athletic events. Hockey season runs through February – check out a game at North Bay Memorial Gardens Ice Skating Rink.

Join North Bay residents for the fun and excitement of fall and winter events. The holidays bring events like the Dion Christmas Show featuring performances by Celine Dion’s brothers and sisters – see the show November 12th at the Algonquin Secondary School. The community Santa Claus Parade theme for 2011, is Christmas Around the World and happens November 20th. Ring in the New Year with North Bay’s Families First celebration New Year's Eve – bring the entire family to join in the fun.

Toronto Skyline

Fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport and the Toronto suburb of Mississauga and you are on the way to winter fun in Ontario’s Capital City. Take in a performance at Toronto Centre for the Arts, join fans at the Air Canada Centre for a Toronto Maple Leaf game or the Ricoh Coliseum to see the up and comers from the Toronto Marlies. Basketball fans have a short season to enjoy the Toronto Raptors, also at the Air Canada Centre – time to enjoy Toronto’s winter season professional sports teams. Indulge in winter sports yourself with some outdoor ice skating in downtown Toronto at City Hall’s Nathan Phillips Square.

It’s the season for Winterlicious in Toronto, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2012. A Foodies favourite time of year, over 175 of Toronto’s top restaurants welcome diners with special prix fixe menus featuring innovative three-course meals. With lunches ranging from $15 to $25 and dinners from $25 to $45, this is the time to try those restaurants on your wish-list. Winterlicious 2012 runs January 27th through February 9th and also features 11 food related entertainment and education events.

For indoor entertainment, the Toronto Centre for the Arts offers amazing 2012 programming. The Main Stage Theatre kicks off the New Year with the Broadway hit, American Idiot performing through January 15th. February brings In the Heights to the Main Stage Theatre and Shrek the Musical fills March’s calendar.

The George Weston Recital Hall at Toronto Centre for the Arts presents the Li Delun Music Foundation on January 7th, followed by Toronto Symphony Orchestra presenting the Mozart Requiem on January 22nd. Toronto Philharmonia Orchestra performs February 23rd, with Orchestra Toronto presenting Winter Tales February 26th. It’s a great season for music in downtown Toronto.

The self proclaimed Heart of Ontario lies 30 minutes south of Toronto at the southern end of Lake Ontario. Communities like Brant, Brantford, Burlington and Hamilton are just outside Toronto and also at the center of the Buffalo and Niagara Falls region. Just like the big neighbor to the north, Toronto, hockey is a passion in the heart of Ontario. The AHL Hamilton Bulldogs draw crowds at the Copps Coliseum chanting “Go Dogs Go”.

The Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington wrap up their holiday exhibit, Doorways to the Holiday, on January 8th and move on to their 2012 calendar of events. Visit the Mediterranean Garden January 22nd through February 25th for Glass Under Glass, a beautiful exhibit of glass artwork mixed among the garden. Chocolate: The Exhibition begins January 28th and runs through April 15th – don’t miss the Sundae Sundays, Fondue Fridays or Senior’s Sweet Tuesdays throughout the exhibit.

Ottawa
Canada's Capitol Region

Winter in Ottawa, Canada’s capital, is delightful cold weather fun. Skate down the frozen Rideau Canal, the world’s largest natural ice-skating rink stretching over 7-kilometers from downtown Ottawa at the National Arts Centre southward to Dow’s Lake Pavilion. February brings Winterlude to the Capital City of Ottawa, with a diversity of winter sports, activities and events. Winter visitors; be sure to plan around the annual maintenance week at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian War Museum and Canadian Museum of Nature. Visit these Ottawa museums before or after January 9th through the 13th when they close for annual mantenance. With the NHL All-Star game, the Canadian ski marathon and events like WinterBites – Ottawa is pure winter fun.

It’s hockey season in Ottawa and time to catch the Senators in action at Scotiabank Place. In addition to regular Senators season play, Ottawa hosts the 2012 NHL All-Star Celebration. Ottawa is Hockey Country and the Senators and their fans are proud to host the game Sunday January 29th. Arrive as soon as January 26th, when 2012 All-Star events begin. The Ottawa Senators celebrate their 20th year in 2012 – be sure to enjoy hockey season in Ottawa.

February brings championship pond hockey to Ottawa. The 2012 Beaver Cup Festival is February 10th through 12th on the Rideau Canal at Dow’s Lake. Join in, or come watch this classic Canadian winter sport on the world’s largest outdoor ice-skating rink. Nothing beats an outdoor hockey match on naturally frozen ice – this is how it all began in Hockey Country.

Winterlude 2012, Ottawa’s premier winter festival, is held February 3rd through the 20th. With events like the Ottawa Winter Jazz Festival, Taste of Winterlude and Rogers On-Block ice sculpting challenge, this is a great time to visit Canada’s capital city.

Athletes get ready for an extreme challenge at the Winterman Marathon and Marathon Relays, Sunday, February 19th. This official Winterlude event features 3Km, 5Km, 10Km, Half Marathon and Marathon events for runners of all ages and abilities. The races start at the Canadian War Museum, with courses running through downtown and along the Ottawa River. Challenge yourself with a run in Ontario’s winter weather.

Cornwall, east of Ottawa along the St Lawrence River, is an economical and cultural hub for Ontario’s Seaway Valley. A port-of-entry into Canada, Cornwall is conveniently located along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor and Ontario Highway 401. Destinations like Ottawa, Montreal and New York’s Adirondacks are an easy drive. While you are visiting the area, check the 2012 calendar at the Upper Canada Playhouse in Morrisburg. Catch the Vinyl Café with Stuart Mclean at the end of January and The Foursome March 16th through April 1st.

Niagara Falls

Fall and winter in southern Ontario brings spectacular fall colors and beautiful winter scenes for visitors to the area. Hurry for Niagara Falls end of season voyages on the Maid of the Mist or to experience the full Journey Behind Niagara Falls. With winter comes the ice - a beautiful way to see Niagara Falls, however dress warm and be cautious. For indoor fun, Niagara On The Lake, Ontario’s first capital city is celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Shaw Festival along with the bicentennial of its role in the War of 1812. Cornwall and the Seaway Valley in south eastern Ontario offers fall visitors outstanding fall scenery. Kingston, Canada’s first capital, is an ideal blend of history and cutting edge activities. Enjoy a visit to southern Ontario.

Niagara Falls hosts one of Ontario’s best winter festivals. The Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls is Canada’s largest lights festival. The 2011 festival runs November 5th through January 31st featuring amazing illumination and light displays, outdoor ice-skating on the Brink of Horseshoe Falls, and the Christmas Concert Series.

Sponsored by CAA, Niagara Falls Winter Festival of Lights is an ideal holiday getaway. Ignite the excitement of the season as you watch spectacular fireworks exploding over Niagara Falls. Fireworks shows are either Friday or Saturday from November through the end of January. Join the launch of CAA Winter Festival of Lights on November 5th and enjoy special Guests from Walt Disney World Resort. Be there when the switch goes on for the 29th annual event, lighting up the City of Niagara Falls and the Niagara Parks Winter Wonderland.

Niagara On The Lake, 20-miles north of Niagara Falls, hosts the 50th anniversary of Shaw Festival in 2011. Now with four theater venues, there is a wide selection of productions by George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. The 2011 season of the Shaw Festival concludes the end of October; don’t miss the chance to enjoy one of 2011’s performances.

Ontario’s Niagara region was a centre of conflict during the War of 1812. Niagara On The Lake honors its history with Bicentennial celebration events of the war, scheduled from 2011 through 2014. Join history buffs at the Courthouse in Niagara On The Lake on November 20th for the Symposium, Images of Niagara on the Eve of War. Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable David Onley, visits on January 1st 2012, to celebrate the first official event of the War of 1812 at a New Year’s Levee.

2011 Halloween brings the “True Fear Haunted Funeral Home” to Guelph at the Haunted House of Horrors. If you dare, visit one of southern Ontario’s largest and most elaborate haunted destinations across from Stone Road Mall, at the corner of Stone road and Edinburgh. Guelph’s Haunted House of Horrors is open Halloween weekend and the weekend prior.