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Finding Winter Magic
Fresh, powdery snow blankets the trees, smoke rises from a distant chimney while a young couple skate, hand-in-hand, along a winding trail that carves through a forest. Winter in Central Ontario provides a beautiful backdrop for a truly magical vacation and Fern Resort knows how to make the most of it. Learn how to create your own winter magic at the resort.
Winter often asks more of us: extra layers, extra planning, extra patience.
Tucked on the eastern shores of Lake Couchiching, less than 15 minutes from Orillia and just 90 minutes north of Toronto, Fern Resort offers the opposite: a place where winter feels easier. Meals, activities, and daily rhythms fall into place without effort, allowing guests to settle into the season rather than brace against it.
“We offer a destination where the family can go away and be fed, entertained and find something for everyone. It’s an all-encompassing experience,” says Mark Downing, president of Fern Resort. This philosophy shapes everything from holiday programming to quiet weekday stays. Winter should feel welcoming, not overwhelming.
A Season Designed for Play
The heart of winter here is playful. Some guests arrive ready for fresh air and movement; others simply want the chance to try something new. The resort’s long list of activities isn’t about checking boxes, but rather about lowering the barriers that often stand between people and winter fun.
The 1.5 km skating trail, one of Ontario’s longest natural loops, winds through the forest and glows under the stars for twilight skating.
“Skating under the starlight is one of our signature experiences,” Mark says.
Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horse-drawn hayrides, broom ball, ice hockey, and ice fishing add to the sense of discovery.
For those who favour warmth over frost, winter unfolds just as generously indoors. The pool and hot tub offer calm, the reformer Pilates units invite gentle movement, and activities like art lessons or wine and cheese tastings add small sparks of joy to the day.
“We provide all of those experiences, plus with our included meals and our packages there’s really no work to be done,” Mark says. “You can just relax or be as busy as you want to be.”
“We are a one‑stop destination that offers the opportunity to experience the best winter has to offer, in a low stress environment.”
Where Winter Brings People Together
Evenings at the resort reveal another truth about winter: it’s a season of connection. Families gather in Mary Lou’s Recreational Lounge for games and conversation. Fires crackle outside as guests roast marshmallows under the clear night sky. In the theatre, live shows and music bring people together in a way that feels both familiar and festive.
Meals are central to this atmosphere. The culinary team blends beloved staples — prime rib, Fern rolls, peanut butter pie — with new creations designed to surprise returning guests.
“We’re always reinventing our menus,” Mark says. “We have such a high repeat clientele so there are the must-haves and then we’re constantly rolling out new and exciting dishes.”
Long tables and warm dining rooms become natural gathering points where conversations stretch and families unwind.
Related: Read more about Fern'Resort's legacy as the Home of Rolls and Honey.
Why It All Works
The secret to Fern Resort’s winter experience is the way everything fits together. The ease of all-inclusive planning, the accessibility of winter fun, the invitation to connect — together, they transform winter from something to manage into something to savour.
“We are a one-stop destination that offers the opportunity to experience the best winter has to offer, in a low stress environment,” Mark says. “It’s really the opportunity to get a taste of what makes winter so exciting.”
At Fern Resort, winter is a season to embrace, comfortably and joyfully, at your own pace.
Comfort & Lodging
Fern’s accommodation options include lakeside cottages, inn rooms and suites, each designed with fireplaces and cozy character. Guests love quiet moments bundled on balconies or curled up beside a fire to escape daily life’s clamour.
This winter, make Fern Resort your vacation destination.
Come for the snow, stay for the laughter and leave with a heart filled with warmth and joy long after your skates are packed away.
Fern Resort is located at 4432 Fern Resort Road in Ramara, Ontario.
Great Escapes Magazine is a publication of Resorts of Ontario, a not-for-profit organization that advocates for resorts, lodges and inns of Ontario's tourism industry.
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