Barrie 
The township of Seguin is surrounded by a variety of wilderness landscapes. From the Georgian Bay shores to Algonquin Provincial Park and the surrounding Muskoka region, Seguin is a prime destination for winter adventures and recreation. Add Seguin’s annual winter festival to the itinerary, and the region, part of the District of Parry Sound, offers plenty more to do on a winter getaway.
Credit: Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run
This winter festival, the annual Sled Dog Mail Run, revolves around the exciting sport of dogsledding while paying homage to why dogsledding was so important in Canada in the first place.
About the Sled Dog Mail Run
Sled Dog Mail Run is also part of a fundraising event! Each year, festival attendees have the chance to purchase “sledvelopes” to add to the dogsled team mail bags. These commemorative envelopes include information about the event and its history. Anyone who purchased the pre-stamped envelopes may then address their own letter to anyone around the world. And on the day of the event, the dogsled teams hand-deliver these letters to a postmaster waiting at the finish line in Rousseau.
At the beginning of the festival, teams load up mailbags filled with these letters and deliver them in the time-honoured tradition of dogsled delivery! Seguin has celebrated the event and tradition for 41 years now, with the festival continuing to grow each year.
The dogsled event is surrounded by additional family-friendly activities and several ways to celebrate winter in Ontario.
Ways to Enjoy the Winter Festival
The races and sled dog run kick off from the town of Humphrey. The town hosts a pancake breakfast and opening ceremonies before the mail bags and “sledvelopes” are loaded onto the dog sleds. From here, the teams take off into the trail and bushes to end up at Rousseau, 17km east of Humphrey. And while all of this happens, the Humphrey Skating Loop is open for free public skating.
Afternoon festivities will take place in Rousseau, where the teams and dogs cross the finish line and hand over their mailbags to the postmaster. Celebrations continue with live music, a food hall featuring local vendors, a heated beer tent with local brews and gourmet hot chocolate, and a kids’ zone with free sled dog rides.
More Winter Fun around Seguin
Exploring Seguin, Rousseau, and Humphry this winter could include exploring by ski, snowshoe, snowmobile, on foot, or by car. No matter how you want to spend your time outside of the Sled Dog Mail Run Winter Festival, there are several options in the area for varying interests.
Relax and unwind with simple sightseeing around the towns and their shopping or dining or take on winter adventures around the nearby parks.
- One of the region’s more unique year-round attractions near Rousseau is the Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, open for guided tours all year (by appointment).
- Enjoy the several winter trails of the Muskoka area, including a few right near the festival. The Humphrey Nature Trails are groomed to include one easy loop and one intermediate loop. The trails of the Georgian Nordic Outdoor Activity Centre will bring your adventures a bit further north toward McDougall. The Centre offers groomed ski trails and space for snowshoeing or fat biking.
- There is also an outdoor ice skating trail maintained by the township located on the baseball diamond behind Humphrey Public School and across from Humphrey Community Centre (15 Humphrey Drive).
- And while Humphrey offers the nature trails, Rousseau offers the historic walking tour! Take a self-guided walk around town to see over a dozen well-preserved buildings from Seguin’s earlier days.
- Snowmobile trails are just as easy to find around the area, including the Seguin Trail, which allows for snowmobiles as well as hiking and cross-country skiing.
- The Rose Point Trail on the south side of Parry Sound is the best way to get winter views of the Georgian Bay, as it follows parts of the shore.
Accommodations in Seguin
While many Muskoka accommodations, including several around Seguin, are seasonal, there are still many ways to plan a cozy winter getaway in the region.
- The Rocky Crest Golf Resort is partially closed for winters, while the resort still provides luxury cottage rentals over the winter. The Jolly Roger Inn & Resort, between Humphrey and Parry Sound, also offer cozy winter stays along with direct access to snowmobile trails.
- Lap in Muskoka luxury with the JW Marriott Rousseau Muskoka Resort & Spa located 30 km from Seguin. Along with the stylish rooms, the hotel offers a spa experience, an ice bar, and outdoor activities. The resort offers fat bike rentals and tours, snowshoe rentals, and guided nature hikes.
- Between Parry Sound, Humphrey, and Rousseau, is a selection of private rentals open for the winter from sites like Airbnb or VRBO.
Planning your Trip – Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run
What: The Seguin Sled Dog Mail Run is an annual winter festival centred around dogsled races and various other winter activities. 2026 is the festival’s 41st anniversary, having begun in 1985. The races and “sledvelope” letter deliveries, or the Mail Run, take place over a 17km course between Humphrey and Rousseau. Celebrations take place in both the starting town and at the finish line.
Location and how to get there: Rousseau and Humphrey are both on ON-141 within the municipality of Seguin.
- Humphrey Community Centre, 15 Humphrey Dr
- Rosseau Field House, 7 Ash St. N
The township of Seguin is located approximately 25 km from Parry Sound, 15 km (75 min drive) from Barrie, 220 km north (2 hr 30 min drive) from Toronto, 1, 400 km (5-hour drive) from Ottawa and 370 km 3 hr 30 min drive) from London.
When: Mail Run: February 21, 2026
Cost: festival attendance is free
For more information:
