Toddler Firsts: Winter Activities In Grey County

I had one mission during our winter getaway in Grey County: to teach my 2.5-year-old something I wish I would’ve learned a long time ago — that winter is actually fun and not a season to be dreaded…

You see, like many of you reading this blog, I was encouraged to stay indoors and bundle up when the cold months came around. My parents never embarked on winter adventures and shied away from pretty much all outdoor activities. Instead, my family hibernated for what often felt like an infinite season. That is, until 2014. The year everything changed. The year I stopped counting down the days to spring, got some proper winter gear and challenged myself to try a series of winter sports. My goal was to fall in love with winter and to kick SAD in the butt. And that I did…

Fast forward a few years and I find myself determined to showcase winter in all its glory to my toddler. I don’t want him to hibernate. I want him to wander, to play and to learn outdoors. Understanding that first impressions are powerful, I knew I had to take him somewhere unforgettable. So for our first winter getaway we headed to Grey County — the region that made me fall in love with winter (click here for the evidence). Our trip was filled with many firsts that lit up Little L’s eyes so I’ve shared a list of winter activities in Grey County below for those of you on a similar mission.

9 Toddler-Friendly Winter Activities In Grey County

1. Toddler’s First Time Skating At Woodview Mountaintop Skating

I will never forget Little L’s face the moment he saw the 1.1 km skating loop on top of Blue Mountain. Eyes twinkling, rosy cheeks and a huge smile. He didn’t know what he signed up for, but I could tell he was excited to try something new. To my surprise, he didn’t hesitate when we put him on the ice and even gave his skate trainer to a struggling adult!

His first skate is a winter memory none of us will ever forget, but it will be hard to top!! Woodview Mountaintop Skating is EPIC.

TIPS:

• Skate rentals are available, but if you have your own skates I suggest bringing them to avoid lines/disappointment since they may not have the right size. I’m glad we bought Luka some Bob Skates at Canadian Tire because they didn’t have skates his size for rent.
• Park your car for free at the top of the mountain between Orchard Express and Southern Comfort. It’s a short walk to the admissions counter before you hit the ice!
• Make sure the rink is open before heading up since it depends on weather conditions. Click here to check.

2. Toddler’s First Sleigh Ride At Glendale Farms

There’s something so magical about a sleigh ride through wooden trails. And for toddlers, I imagine it must feel like a glimpse into Santa’s life LOL.

Pulled by two powerful Percheron horses, we journeyed through a forest blanketed with snow and ended up at a magical sugar shack where we were greeted with hot chocolate and hot apple cider. Talk about cozy winter vibes!

It’s the perfect family activity if your toddler is less inclined to try winter sports, but you’re still determined to show them how beautiful and fun the season is.

TIPS:

• Layer up and take a blanket! Since you’re not moving, it can get a bit chilly. You’ll want to feel comfortable to enjoy the ride.
• Book ahead to make sure they can accommodate you.
• The sugar shack is perfect for family photo ops so if you’re looking for a spot to shoot your next Christmas card, this may just be it…

3. Toddler’s First Time Skiing At Blue Mountain Resort

I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous putting Luka on skis for the first time. Unlike skating where I could help him get acquainted with a new sport, I knew I’d have to trust someone else to teach him the ways when it came to skiing.

But, having tried the Newbie Program several times at Blue Mountain Resort myself, I knew he’d be in good hands. And that he was. We signed him up for the 45 minute Tiny Tot Private Ski Lesson and were sooooo impressed by how incredible his instructor Henry was.

Within no time (like seriously, 10 mins) Luka was zipping down the hill with Henry. Unbelievable.

TIPS:

• Parents aren’t allowed in the equipment room where tots get fitted and are encouraged not to hover during the lessons. Trust them, they know what they’re doing! You can either watch from the base of the hill or go for a little 45 min break.
• There’s a lot of new gear involved so it’s helpful to talk them through the equipment (helmet, heavy boots, skis) beforehand so it’s not a shock. I recommend watching some kids ski on the hill prior to the lesson to get them prepared and excited!

4. Toddler’s First Snowshoe Experience At The Farmer’s House

While there are many spots to snowshoe in Grey County, we hit the jackpot because our accommodation offers snowshoes to guests!

The Farmer’s House is truly a dream with an EPIC pool and panoramic views of Beaver Valley, but it’s the little details (like toys for Luka, fresh eggs in the fridge and the snowshoes) that sets them apart in my books…

Located right on the Bruce Trail, it’s the perfect spot for a winter getaway. We took full advantage and snowshoed around the property before cozying up by the fire pit and making Luka’s first roasted marshmallows! I can NOT wait to re-visit this property during other seasons. It’s a gem.

TIPS:

• Book a stay at The Farmer’s House — thank me later!
• If you’re looking for other snowshoeing experiences in Grey County, I highly recommend Free Spirit Tours or Scenic Caves. There are also tons of free trails if you want to bring your own snowshoes to the region!

5. Toddler’s First Hot Chocolate At The Cheese Gallery

Not all winter firsts need to be outdoors! You’ll want to sneak in some cozy indoor time in between all of your adventures. We decided to treat Luka to his very first hot chocolate at The Cheese Gallery…

He may be spoiled going forward, because they skip the water and powder concoction and instead use Miller’s Dairy Chocolate Milk (fresh, local Jersey milk). Topped with tiny marshmallows, it’s definitely a food memory Luka will not forget!

TIPS:

• The owner is incredibly knowledgeable about cheese so definitely ask lots of questions and grab a board to enjoy.
• If you’re doing a multi-gen trip or have someone to take care of the kids, The Cheese Gallery hosts Fondue Friday nights for adults. A great date night idea!

6. Toddler’s First Alpaca Encounter At Kickin’ Back Alpaca Ranch

While this activity can be enjoyed year-round, it’s nice to visit Kickin’ Back Alpaca Ranch during the quieter winter months. Carolyn (the owner) is really lovely and knows exactly howto introduce the animals in a way that doesn’t terrify kids (or the shy alpacas)…

Luka had a chance to feed the alpacas and learned a little bit about them during our visit. He loved it!!

TIPS:

• It’s an interactive experience so the alpacas will come out to say hi. Don’t be afraid, they are really friendly and likely more scared of you than you are of them!
• Make sure to visit their little shop to buy the softest alpaca wool and ask about their sustainability efforts!

7. Toddler’s First Apple Pie At Thornbury Bakery Café

You can’t visit a region that has an apple pie trail and not have apple pie! We decided to give Luka his first taste at Thornbury Bakery Café.

They’ve been around since 1901 and know a thing or two about pie. You’ll want to pop in to try their famous Red Prince Apple Pie…

TIPS:

• Don’t stop at pie! Everything is made from scratch so you’ll want to try their Chelsea Buns, Cinnamon Buns and Butter Tarts.
• They’re also known for their vegan, keto and gluten-free breads!

8. Toddler’s First Tubing Experience At Blue Mountain Resort – Hike N’ Tube

Weeeeeeeeeeee. If your toddler has a need for speed, this is the activity for them! Luka loves all-things fast so snow tubing was well-received…

With beautiful views all around, it’s a nice family outing for those of you looking for a more budget-friendly winter activity. A great introduction to the mountain!

TIPS:

• You’ll want to help your toddler up the hill so wear proper boots with grip!
• You can ask staff to release the tube part way down the hill so the ride is a bit slower the first few times.

9. Toddler’s First Blumination Dream Trail Experience

Did you know Blue Mountain Village has a FREE lights festival? Yup! Over a million glowing lights that beat to the music every 30 mins. It’s perfect for toddlers because you can explore the 1 km trail at your own pace. We had dinner and made a snowman in between installations so it was a fun evening activity…

The Blumination Dream Trail is a great way to get outside and enjoy winter, even of you/your toddler don’t want to partake in winter sports!

TIPS:

• The festival runs November 30, 2019 – March 28, 2020 this year from dusk to 10pm.
• You can pick up a map at the Visitor’s Information Centre to guide you around the Village!

I hope this post inspires many of you to embark on a family adventure to Grey County this season! I didn’t know what to expect going in, but can tell you I was blown away by how incredibly fast Little L fell in love with winter. I was so damn proud of him. And I’m not sure why, but I randomly bursted into tears on multiple occasions as he tried each activity for the first time. Perhaps it was a response to the sheer joy on his face, or because it felt like I was watching him take his first step, or maybe it was just me realizing how incredibly fortunate he is to have the opportunities I missed as a child…

Whatever the reason, I know that we will never forget this trip. He’s already asking when we are going to the place with skiing, skating, tubing etc. again. Grey County will forever hold a special place in his heart.

A huge thanks to Visit Grey for hosting us and sponsoring this post. I’ve visited the region many times on my own dime and would highly recommend it!