Almaguin Ontario Resorts Gearing Up for Winter Season

With summer drawing to a close, many Ontario tourist destinations are winding down, after a summer season that was less than spectacular due to cooler temperatures and plenty of rain. Generally, when people think of an Ontario vacation, they picture a summer week at a lakeside cottage resort with clear water, sand beaches and boating. For many Ontario resorts, summer is their biggest season and sometime their only season. This however, is not the case for all Ontario tourist destinations. Resort owner Michael Piraino, of Northridge Inn & Resort (http://www.northridgeinn.com), operates an upscale all-season resort on Lake Bernard in the Almaguin Highlands / Near North tourist region, has seen his winter business grow substantially over the years. "At our resort we are starting to see more of our guests choosing to take a winter vacation, either in addition to or as an alternative to a summer holiday. The Almaguin area is a great place to spend a winter getaway because it has so much to offer winter sports enthusiasts," states Piraino.

Located approximately two and a half hours north of Metropolitan Toronto and only a few miles north of Muskoka along Highway 11, the Almaguin Highlands is a winter wonderland. Blessed with an abundance of snow each season, even in years when other areas of the province didn't have enough snow to open their trails, the Almaguin region was knee-deep in snow. While tourist areas like Muskoka and Haliburton have seen their snowmobile seasons shrink, the Almaguin Highlands, offering reliable snow cover and great snowmobile trails, has enjoyed a steady increase in winter tourism.

Ranked as one of the top ten places to snowmobile by Supertrax magazine, the Almaguin Highlands is part of the Near North Trail Association and boasts 3500 kilometres of groomed snowmobile trails that offer a mixed riding experience with scenic tree-lined trails, frozen lakes and views of snow-clad hills and valleys. The Near North's full service resorts can provide a comfortable base camp for those wishing to explore the extensive trail system, at a reasonable price. By providing what snowmobilers want- direct access to the trails, secure sled parking, sled rentals, easy access to snow passes, parts and gas, the Almaguin area is building a solid reputation as Ontario best snowmobile destination.

The Almaguin Cup Snowmobile Ice Racing competition, February 6 & 7, 2010, is an Ontario winter event that returns to Burks Falls in the Almaguin Highlands every year. Great for winter sports spectators, this thrilling ice racing contest draws visitors to the area to enjoy the fast paced competition and the many fun events planned around the weekend. The 2010 Almaguin Cup will be better than ever.

Ice fishing is another Ontario winter activity that draws visitors to the Almaguin Highlands every winter. A fun winter sport for every member of the family, ice fishing is gaining in popularity. With hundreds of lakes offering great sports fishing any time of the year, in winter, Almaguin ice fishing can't be beat. An abundance of fish are just waiting to jump on the hook and cold winter temperatures ensure that area lakes stay frozen. Some Almaguin/ Near North resorts offer ice fishing packages that include accommodations, a heated ice hut and fishing equipment. As well, the area's fish hut operators can set ice fisherman up with everything they need to enjoy a day on the lake.

Northridge Inn & Resort owner Michael Piraino believes that Ontario's Almaguin Highlands / Near North region will soon become one of Ontario's premiere winter destinations. "The region has so much to offer. With beautiful scenery, reliable snow, the best trails, great fishing, winter events, and a wide variety of lakeside inns and accommodation properties to suit any budget, it won't be long before Muskoka North gets the attention that it deserves. Again this year, we are looking forward to a winter season that is better than ever," adds Piraino.

Contact Information:
Michael & Brenda Piraino
Northridge Inn & Resort
712 South Bernard Lake Road
P.O. Box 1189
Sundridge, Ontario P0A 1Z0
705-384-2252
info@northridgeinn.com
http://www.northridgeinn.com

About Northridge Inn & Resort: Located in the Almaguin Highlands, just north of Muskoka, Northridge Inn & Resort (http://www.northridgeinn.com is a full service, four-season resort with luxurious accommodations in a private setting. With direct access to miles of groomed snowmobile trails, stunning lake views, gourmet dining, and a wide range of recreational amenities, Northridge Inn has everything to make your Muskoka resort vacation or romantic couple's getaway very special. Call Northridge Inn 705-384-2252 or visit their web site http://www.northridgeinn.com to learn more about their special packages, including snowmobile weekends, ice fishing packages and New Years packages.