There's more to winter than being cold.

Making a Winter Believer Out of You!

By Dionne Elgie Dionne Elgie grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and has both a deep personal love for this city, and a real passion for the great outdoors.

April 19, 2016

Sault Ste. Marie is one of the best places in Northern Ontario to be during the winter months. With the fading dollar making southern vacations more expensive, fuel the local economy and embrace the season instead!

With regular flights being offered by Air Canada, Bearskin Airlines and Porter, visiting the city is easy! Travel is on everyone's wish list!

Here are 10 great reasons to visit this winter!

1. The Best Italian Food

"Italian culture and traditions are alive and well in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Their renowned love of life, of family and, most of all, of great food and wine, are a rich part of the city's heritage and continue, to heavily influence the vibrant character of the community." Brook Montgomery

The challenge isn't finding a great Italian restaurant, it's having to choose one. This is the time of year to fuel your soul with delicious home-made comfort food!

Fiore Palarchio - Darren Taylor/SooToday

30 Years, Three Generations of Italian Cuisine!

That's Italian: The Best of Italy In Sault Ste. Marie!

Vision, Hard Work, and a Little Thyme: Local Legend Rosetta Sicoli Explains Why Italian Cuisine is so Good in Sault Ste Marie!

10 Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Sault Ste. Marie You'll Want To Eat In!

Paesano Foods Ltd.

2. Superior Exploration, Adventure & Climbing Co.

Shaun Parent, Owner/Operator of Superior Exploration, Adventure & Climbing Co. Ltd., is considered the Pioneer of Rock and Ice Climbing development in the Lake Superior Region of Ontario. He has been ice climbing since 1979 and instructing since 1983. Shaun brings Rock and Ice Climbing to a whole new level. His expertise, passion and appetite for creating unique experiences in the Region are second to none.

Ice Caves Like You've Never Seen Before!

Superior Exploration Adventures' Guide To The Best Climbing In The Area: Beginner Through Advanced!

Looking for an outfitter? No problem!

True Northern Outfitting: Your Go To Outdoor Adventure Specialists

Contact for Shaun:

www.superior-exploration.ca

FB Superior Exploration Adventure and Climbing Company Ltd.
FB North of Superior Climbing Company
FB Batchawana Bay Rock Climbing

YouTube: Batchawana Bay Ice Climbing, Agawa Canyon Ice Climbing, NOSCC

3. Mockingbird Hill Farm

Mockingbird Hill Farm is the romantic dream of Farmer Bob who delves deep into his Metis roots to recreate his heritage. The Farm depicts a typical horse-drawn homestead farm with the pioneer's menagerie of animals - a few pigs, sheep, goats, cows, chickens, ducks, turkeys, cats and dogs. The Farm is open year round to the public offering sleigh rides in the winter months and hay rides in the spring, summer and fall. You can't help but to fall in love with this precious gem.

Photo: SooToday.com

HORSE DRAWN SLEIGH RIDES for Groups, Birthdays and Canoodling Couples (just the 2 of you)!

Your sleigh ride will meander past historic buildings and into the serene and silent forests of the Farm.Folks can enjoy the petting barn while the ride assembles...

The Old Church is available for parties after your ride....it is wood heated and lantern lit.

A Canoodling Couple can enjoy a romantic ride for just the two of you...you will be nested comfortably in a mound of dry hay. Listen to the clinking of the heel chains, runners on the snow, star gaze and enjoy the still of an evening in the forest....enchanting!

All rides are booked on the hour and are $170 taxes included. The Old Church rents out for $60 and you get it for 2 hours after the ride.

For a memory making themed ride call Farmer Bob at 253-4712...Mockingbird Hill Farm

The cost is $170.00 Canadian

943 Landslide Road,
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario,
Phone: 705-253-4712

www.mockingbirdhillfarm.ca

4. Hiawatha Highlands

With nearly 28 miles of trails and just shy of nine miles of double track snowshoeing, it’s no wonder Hiawatha Highlands is so popular with cross-country skiers of all kinds. Trail systems cater to beginner and advanced skiers, and you can pick between several overnight accommodations that area short drive away.

CROSS-COUNTRY PACKAGES INCLUDE*:

- 2 Nights Accommodations

- 2 Cross-Country Ski Passes – Ski at Hiawatha Highlands

- OLG Casino Sault Ste. Marie Package (19+)

*Taxes included per person, based on double occupancy. Package pricing may vary and is subject to change.
p: (705) 256-7258

info@hiawathahighlands.com
www.hiawathahighlands.com

5. Stokely Creek

Stokely’s thrilling runs and rolling trails offer cross-country skiers a truly memorable ride. Designed by and for skiers, Stokely Creek offers the best and most varied cross-country trails in North America with over 8,000 acres of wilderness for you to explore.

CROSS-COUNTRY PACKAGES INCLUDE*:

- 2 Nights Accommodations

- 2 Cross-Country Ski Passes – Ski at Stokely Creek

- OLG Casino Sault Ste. Marie Package (19+)

*Taxes included per person, based on double occupancy. Package pricing may vary and is subject to change.
p: (705) 256-7258

p: 1-866-786-5359
info@stokelycreek.com
www.stokelycreek.com

6. Searchmont Ski Resort

Searchmont Resort operates December through March, Thursday to Sunday. With long runs, diverse terrain, short lift lines, rugged landscape and Canadian hospitality, you can't get better "slope value" in the Midwest!

Located just 45 minutes from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Searchmont Resort is a downhiller's dream. Test your skills tearing down the 750-foot vertical, and take your pick between 18 awesome trails that offer a wide array of terrains, and some stretching over half-a-mile.

DOWNHILL PACKAGES INCLUDE*:

- 2 Nights Accommodations

- 2 Searchmont Day Lift Tickets

- OLG Casino Sault Ste. Marie Package (19+)

PLUS:

Kids 5 and under ski FREE!

*Taxes included per person, based on double occupancy. Package pricing may vary and is subject to change.

p: 1-800-663-2546
www.searchmont.com

Travellers Pass

A full season pass with special discounted rates for those travelling!
Promotional pricing has been extended to December 25th!

$254.00 + HST for 11 years and up (about $194 US Dollars based on current exchange rates)
$149.00 + HST for 6 to 10 years old (about $114 US Dollars based on current exchange rates)

Don't forget that 5 and under ski free!

Conditions:
- For ALL Michigan Residents
or
- For Canadian residents living 250km (155 miles) or more from Searchmont

Benefits of a Travellers Pass:

Flexibility of skiing or riding when you want for how long you want;
Ski and/or ride up to 80 days and 38 nights;
Free access to cross country and snowshoe trails;
Pass Holder special notices (i.e. limited deals)
One vote per SSAI Bylaws.
All season pass prices include a 5% resort improvement fee.

7. Spa Getaways

There are many exceptional spas to invigorate your soul this winter. Here is one of my personal favourites to get you inspired!

Situated in uptown Sault Ste Marie, the Greenhouse Spa has been providing the finest in pampering for just over 15 years. At almost 4000 square feet, the Day Spa includes 2 levels and features 12 treatment rooms, water therapy room with the Vichy rain-shower, 5 couples treatment rooms, change-rooms, relaxation lounges, as well as group manicure and pedicure areas.

Photo: Greenhouse Spa

Greenhouse Spa is the only spa north of the GTA that has a specialized treatment room featuring the Vichy rain-shower. The rain-shower is where all of their popular Maple Sugar Body Scrubs, Maple Butter Body Wraps, Rice Body polishes are used which are especially popular this time of year in Sault Ste. Marie.

Visit Invigorate Your Soul: Visit Sault Ste. Marie's Top Spas! to find out more about the spas and services available.

The Most Loved Yoga and Wellness Studios: Drop-Ins And Guests Welcome!

8. Fishing

When was the last time you cast a line amidst the local waters of Sault Ste. Marie, or shared your fishing tales over a delicious home-cooked meal with a local brew in hand? Sault Ste. Marie has all the lures to tempt your inner angler all year long – book your next fishing trip to Sault Ste. Marie and you’ll be guaranteed to be hooked for a lifetime!

All In the "Right Hook": When the Wind Blows the Fish Bite!

True Northern Outfitting: Your Go To Outdoor Adventure Specialists

Good Things Come To Those Who Bait: Best Places To Fish and Tips From The Pros

9. Snowshoeing

"A timeless experience unchanged by the passage of time..."www.canadianicons.ca

Snowshoe the abundance of Sault Ste. Marie's wilderness terrain, forests, frozen lakes, water falls, along with a mix of off-trail hiking for the best taste of winter in the city!

Discover Winter Landscapes On A Pair Of Snowshoes: Sault Ste. Marie Style!

10. Snowmobiling

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and the Algoma region provide access to over 2000 km of incredible snowmobiling trails, 400 km (240 miles) which are groomed and maintained by Sault Ste. Marie's very own, Sault Trailblazers. This spectacular winter wonderland of trails is your gateway to finding the wild side of winter.

Visit www.saulttourism.com to find the perfect package for your ultimate snowmobiling vacation!

There's no shortage of events in the city! Click the button below for a full list!

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About Dionne Elgie

Dionne Elgie grew up in Sault Ste. Marie and has a deep personal love for this city, and like many Saultites, a real passion for the great outdoors. Along with her team at DIG (Digital Intelligence Group)—she works with Tourism Sault Ste. Marie to curate compelling travel stories and collect truly useful tour tips that appeal to both local residents and out-of-town visitors. You can contact Dionne at dionne@digdeep.ca—she’d love to hear from you!