Your Outdoor Adventure Guide for March Break

Avoid mutiny this March Break—plan an action-packed week of outdoor fun. With the days growing longer and the sunshine already starting to feel a bit like spring, this mid-March siesta is the perfect time to enjoy Northern Ontario’s bountiful late-winter snowpack. From Nordic centres to outdoor centres, Ontario Parks to lodge-based adventures—try these kid-pleasers for your family’s best March Break ever.

When is March Break in Ontario?

This year, mid-winter school holidays—better known as March Break in Ontario—run from March 16 to March 20, 2026. Since this time of the year can often feel like slush season in southern parts of the province, I like to head north for a proper winter send-off.

Outdoorsy March Break camps in Ontario

Camp Kandalore, Haliburton Highlands

The young and the young-at-heart can join Camp Kandalore for a three- or five-day Winter Family Camp in the snowy Haliburton Highlands. Families stay in their own private, heated cabins and enjoy a wide range of winter activities, including downhill skiing at Sir Sam’s, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and even a toasty sauna.

YMCA, Haliburton and Muskoka

If you’re looking for inclusive, affordable options with great programming, I suggest checking out the excellent YMCA camps in Ontario. In Haliburton, YMCA Wanakita Outdoor Centre's five-day March Break Family Camp provides a variety of age-appropriate programs, allowing family members to participate together or independently in classic winter activities like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, broomball (picture ice hockey… without skates or pucks) and snow tubing. This is a great way to reconnect and strengthen family bonds over the break.

For independent young campers, YMCA Pine Crest Outdoor Centre runs a five-day overnight March Break Camp for youth ages nine to 13, set against a snowy backdrop of Muskoka lakes and pine-clad ridges. Campers dive into a world of winter excitement—including backcountry skiing, high ropes, climbing wall and maple sugaring—making memories and new friends along the way.

Searchmont Resort, Searchmont

Searchmont Resort offers a one-week ski or snowboard camp for kids over March Break. The camp runs four hours a day over the course of four days, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Lift tickets and rentals are not included in the price. 

Loch Lomond, Thunder Bay

Kids aged four to 17 can participate in Loch Lomond’s School Break Camps, catering to beginner to advanced skiers and snowboarders. Half-day or full-day camps are available. Equipment rentals and lift tickets are not included.

Blue Mountain, Blue Mountains

More advanced skiers and snowboarders can receive weeklong coaching through Blue Mountain’s Race Camp and Freestyle Camp offerings during March Break. Race Camp focuses on learning skills to ski Giant Slalom and Slalom courses, while Freestyle Camp develops skills for jumps and rails.

Laurentian Ski Hill, North Bay

Laurentian Ski Hill offers two 5-day ski and snowboard camps during March Break: Gateway to Skiing/Snowboarding for kids aged three to five and Mountain Troopers for kids aged six to 12. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Antoine Mountain, Mattawa

Kids six and up can participate in three days of fun March Break lessons at Antoine Mountain. Camp runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lift tickets are included and valid before and after camp.

Hidden Valley Highlands, Huntsville

A five-day March Break Ski Camp is offered at Hidden Valley Highlands for kids aged six to 13. The camp runs four hours a day, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.

Hardwood Ski & Bike, Oro-Medonte

Hardwood offers a Winter March Break Camp full of snowy fun. Kids aged six to 10 will participate in cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and more.

Iroquois Falls Cross Country Ski Club, Iroquois Falls

The Iroquois Falls Cross Country Ski Club is in the process of planning a cross country ski camp for kids over March Break. 

Things to do for March Break in Ontario

Go cross country skiing

Ontario’s enthusiastic cross country ski centres are all about community, fitness and family fun. March Break is a great time to give the activity a try or travel to discover new trails. While cross country ski clubs in the southern reaches of the province are holding onto what snow remains by March Break, head north for conditions that continue to wow.

Many cross country ski areas have March Break promotions, events and activities on offer. 

Kivi Park and the Greater Sudbury Cross Country Ski Club partner up to offer a March Break Ski Experience: for just $35 (or $80 for a family), you can ski all week at Kivi Park, Bioski Cross Country Ski Club, Capreol Cross Country Ski Club, Laurentian Ski Club Onaping Falls Nordic Ski Club and Walden Cross Country Ski Club.

Walden Cross Country offers a family deal: $85 for a family of four and $10 for each additional family member. The club hosts activities throughout the week. Find out more here. . 

Meanwhile, Kamview Nordic in Thunder Bay hosts March Break Madness—from bingo and costume contests, to campfires and scavenger hunts, every year brings lots of fun. There are usually discounted ski passes and rentals, too.

Find out more about the Best Places to Cross Country Ski in Ontario.

Go downhill skiing or snowboarding

March Break is a big deal at downhill ski and snowboard resorts across North America—and Ontario’s resorts are no different. Most every ski hill will have activities and programming of some sort. Expect music blaring, wacky costumes on the slopes, slopeside barbecues, pond skimming and more.

Loch Lomond in Thunder Bay typically has a different theme day for each day of the week. Antoine Mountain in Mattawa is usually only open Friday to Sunday but stays open all week long for March Break. Searchmont Resort has themed days (with a best-dressed contest), karaoke, barbecues, taffy making, live music and more.

If you’ve never been skiing or snowboarding before, sign up for lessons over March Break. Spring is a great time to learn with warm temperatures and soft snow.

Go skating on an outdoor rink

This activity will vary year to year depending on the weather, but the farther north in the province you go, the more likely there’ll be great ice to skate on during March Break. For the best conditions, go first thing in the morning, before the sun has had a chance to heat things up.

There are a variety of outdoor rinks and skating trails throughout the province. Check out Prince Arthur’s Landing in Thunder Bay, Arrowhead Provincial Park in Huntsville, Johnston’s Cranberry March ice path in Bala, and Nina’s Way in Sudbury’s Kivi Park for a start.

Get planning by learning about the Best Outdoor Skating Rinks and Trails in Ontario.  

Try fat biking

Embrace March Break as an opportunity for the whole family to try out a new winter sport. If you haven’t tried fat biking yet, these monster mountain bikes feature oversized tires that can float on packed snow, putting a whole new spin on winter fun.

Sault Ste. Marie is emerging as a top winter fat biking playground—bring your own bikes or rent rides and explore dozens of kilometres of groomed fat bike trails at Hiawatha Highlands and Crimson Ridge.

Another outstanding fat biking destination with an ardent cycling community, Thunder Bay’s Trowbridge Forest Trails grow more impressive each year. Rent equipment and get the scoop on trails and conditions at friendly local bike shops Petrie’s Cycles, Rollin’ Thunder and Fresh Air Experience.

Find out about the Best Places to Fat Bike in Ontario.

Go dog sledding

For dog-crazy kids and adults, a family dog sledding experience can be an exhilarating addition to a week of winter fun. Ontario’s top dog sledding outfitters offer tours ranging from short rides to night-time or even multiday excursions.

The purebred Siberian huskies at Winterdance Dogsled Tours will melt your heart, but the thrill of careening down Haliburton’s snowy forest trails is guaranteed to get it racing. Choose from two-hour, half-day, moonlit or full-day tours.

Drive your own dogsled team and explore the highland forests on the western border of Algonquin Park with Sugardogs Adventure Co. Their family-friendly two-hour dog sledding workshops include time to get to know the dogs and learn mushing skills.

Read our Guide to Dog Sledding in Ontario to find out more.

March Break getaways in Ontario

March Break is the perfect time to go on a family trip. If taking off for somewhere warm isn’t in the cards, consider instead embracing what’s left of winter and booking a staycation in the province. Many of the activities mentioned above can be turned into a weeklong getaway.

Stay close to nature at Nature’s Harmony

Enjoy a winter wonderland just minutes from Mattawa at Nature’s Harmony Ecolodge. Stay in an on-site log cabin or yurt and explore miles of pristine trails and tobogganing slopes with views of the Laurentian Mountains.

Pick from these Winter Glamping Experiences in Ontario.

Take a ski vacation at Blue Mountain

Head to Collingwood for a week of fun spring skiing. Stay right in the Village so you can be first up the lift in the morning—or sleep in and still get out on the slopes at a decent time. Take advantage of the shopping and dining in the evenings, then return to your accommodations for a restful night. Maybe even with a private hot tub. 

Blue Mountain offers a March Madness deal of 25% off accommodations and discounted lift tickets to make a March Break ski trip that much easier.

Read about more Incredible Ski Getaways in Ontario.

Go on a multiday dog sledding excursion with Borealis Sled Dog Adventures

For an authentic dog sledding experience in Northern Ontario, make the trip to Borealis Sled Dog Adventures in Vermilion Bay, an hour east of Kenora. Join an immersive overnight dog sledding tour and stay at a log outpost cabin or heated wall tent deep in the pristine winter wilderness.

Enjoy all the snow activities at Voyageur Quest

Sunny days, snowy trails and frozen lakes are the backdrop for Voyageur Quest’s all-inclusive three-day Algonquin Log Cabin Family Adventure. Families stay at the cozy, off-grid Algonquin Log Cabin Lodge nestled just outside Algonquin’s northwest corner. Then, spend each day participating in dog sledding, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing and wolf howling.

Read about other Stunning Winter Resorts in Ontario.

Sleep with the wolves at Cedar Meadows

The outdoor hot pools and idyllic setting alongside the Mattagami River at Timmins’ Cedar Meadows Resort & Spa appeal to all ages, but this March Break destination offers something extra special for young animal-lovers. Guests can join daily wagon rides through the resort’s wildlife area, getting up close to bison, elk, deer and more.

Even more incredible, the resort’s new Sleeping With the Wolves package includes two nights’ stay in a spectacular glass chalet overlooking a private, 10-acre wolf enclosure. Expect up-close views of these beautiful and intelligent creatures, with all the cozy touches to keep your family comfortable. Oh, and did I mention the stargazing?

Go on a cross country ski getaway

Take an all-inclusive cross country ski vacation at the beautiful and secluded Stokely Creek Lodge. Their world class 100-kilometre network of ski trails will help you understand what’s so magical about cross country skiing, as you’ll be immersed in a snow-covered world and top ridges where you can see for miles. Plus the homemade meals, saunas, recreation room and top-notch service will make your experience off the trail just as memorable.

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