This quiet, lovely area has become reborn with the development of more than 35 wineries amidst its rolling hills and many lakes. This combination draws fans of the great outdoors with foodies looking to pair their wines with flavourful snacks and cheeses. As a result, other businesses and amenities have thrived, creating ample opportunities to fill your visit to Prince Edward County. Here are 15+ fun things to do during winter in Prince Edward County.
1. Sugar Shack Snowshoe
Trek over the snow and get a reward of tasting the vintage produced by Three Dog Winery, whose slogan is Come.Sit.Stay. Its three dogs have important jobs at the facility: ball and toy manager, head of canine relations, and head of morale. It is unclear if they join the snowshoe adventure or not. Call for pricing.
Phone: 613-403-4323
Address: 1920 Fish Lake Road, Picton
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2. Come see the pancake ice
Sandbanks Provincial Park goes delightfully quiet in the winter, giving you a chance to explore its 10 kilometres of trails on cross-country ski or snowshoes. Travel along the shoreline of Lake Ontario where ice build-up creates stunning formations, such as ice volcanoes, ice cliffs, ice bergs, and pancake ice.
Phone: 613-393-3319
Address: 3004 County Road 12, Picton
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3. Take in the View of Picton
Macauley Mountain offers a fabulous view of snow-laden town of Picton from the top of Macauley Mountain. The steep escarpment is 40 metres high.
Address: 224 County Road 8, Picton
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4. Trek on this epic trail
Millennium Trail runs across most of the county, reaching 49 kilometres from Picton to Carrying Place. Hikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers can join it at any of 30 points between those points any day between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Kilometre markers can help you keep track of how far you have travelled if you lose count.
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5. Skate behind the Drake
They brew beer AND they run a rink! How Canadian is that combo? The Midtown Brewing Company operates the rink behind the Drake Motor Inn in Wellington. Enjoy a few skins around the ice then pop in for a cold brew.
Phone: 613-399-1001
Address: 266 Wellington Main Street, Wellington
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6. Spin those wheels
For fat biking fans, Millennium Trail gives you 40 kilometres to cover from Carrying Place to Picton, or the other way around. Rentals are available from Ideal Bike for $50 a day if you do not want to transport yours.
Address: 304 Main Street, Wellington
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7. More beer and ice
Parsons Brewing Company also offers an outdoor skating rink, this time in Picton. Pop by for a cold one – chilled cheeks and a frosty brew, that is.
Phone: 613-476-9977
Address: 876 County Road 49, Picton
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8. Amble among the apples
Campbell’s Orchard opens its grounds to hikers, cross-country skiers, and snowshoers along several trails. Pick up some cider while you are there. The store is open Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Phone: 613-962-3751
Address: 1633 Road 3, Carrying Place
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9. Ooh, it’s time to Skidoo!
The Prince Edward County Trail Riders groom and maintain about 220 kilometres of snowmobile trails in the county. They connect to the Ontario-wide network. All riders need permits from the Ontario Federation of Snowmobiling Clubs, which cost $45 for a weekend or $270 for the full season.
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10. Catch dinner in the Bay of Quinte
Chances are good you will get a bite on your line while ice fishing in this bay where a variety of fish species are prolific any time of the year. Merland Park Cottages near Picton can set you up with a hut, heat, a ride out on the ice, and your rods for $45 per person, with up to six people per hut.
Phone: 613-476-6894
Address: 12488 Loyalist Parkway, Picton
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11. Fly high at Delhi Park
For fans of tobogganing, the infamous hill at Delhi Park in Picton will be one to knock off your bucket list. You can enter the park via multiple points, including Mary Street and Lalor Street.
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12. Sip in the sugarbush
Sugarbush Vineyards invites snowshoers to traipse along its trails around the property, free of charge. The name reflects the fact the fact that the property grows grapevines and maple trees. If you want to pick up a bottle, it is only open on Saturdays or by appointment in the winter months.
Phone: 613-399-9000
Address: 1286 Wilson Road, Hillier
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13. Catch a high view
A hike into Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park will reward you with views of Lake Ontario from 60 metres above the water. Other high points will show you the Bay of Quinte and the Glenora Ferry. Park amenities are closed so come prepared.
Phone: 613-393-3319
Address: 296 County Road 7, Picton
Website
14. Check out Birdhouse City
Hike, swoosh, or snowshoe along seven kilometres of trails in Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area.
Take time to explore Whattams Memorial Walkway and Birdhouse City along the way. Birdhouse City located in the conservation area is a collection of more than 100 miniature reproductions of historic buildings and other structures found in the County.
Phone: 613-354-3312
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15. Skate at Sophiasburgh
Spin on the ice at the Sophiasburgh Town Hall, just as generations of people have done for years. The building has been a community hub since 1875 and has a legacy of bringing people together.
Address: 2771 County Road 5, Demorestville
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16. Welcome Spring with Maple in the County
Celebrate the first – and sweetest! – harvest in Prince Edward County by visiting one of the participating sugar bushes during Maple in the County Festival held annually during late March. Enjoy a pancake breakfast with fresh maple syrup, taffy on snow, s’mores, petting zoos, artisan vendors, wineries and more! 2021 festival TBA due to COVID-19.
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Things to Do During Winter in Ontario