Published 2 November 2026 · By Jatin Dua, Broker of Record, RE/MAX Quantum Realty
The five best winter activities for GTA families in 2027 are free outdoor skating, tobogganing on a designated hill, learning to ski at Toronto’s Earl Bales Park, snowshoeing a winter trail and TRCA’s maple syrup festival in March. Skating and sledding are free; an Earl Bales two-hour youth lift ticket is $21.29 before tax.
This guide is for GTA parents looking for winter plans that get the kids outside without blowing the budget. You will get five activities that work across Toronto and the surrounding cities, where to do each one, what it costs, the 2026–27 dates confirmed so far, and what to check before you leave the house.
How did I choose these five winter activities?
I looked for activities that work for a range of ages, run on public land or through a public agency, and cost little or nothing. Each one is backed by a City, provincial or conservation authority page, so you can check details yourself. I left out holiday markets and light shows, which change every year and are covered elsewhere.
The order roughly follows the season, from late November skating to the maple syrup weekends that close out winter. It is my judgement, not an official ranking. Everything outdoors depends on the weather, so check the status pages on the day.
1. Go outdoor skating at a free rink or trail
What it’s like
Skating is the easiest winter habit to build because it is close, free and short. The City of Toronto runs more than 50 outdoor rink locations in a typical season. It says its outdoor artificial rinks usually open in late November and close in March, and all drop-in skating is free.
Outside Toronto, Markham’s refrigerated Civic Centre rink is scheduled from 30 November 2026 to 14 March 2027, with free admission. Under the Gardiner Expressway, The Bentway’s 220-metre figure-eight trail runs from 12 December 2026 to 28 February 2027 and is free to skate.
Who it suits
Everyone from toddlers on a skating aid to teenagers playing shinny. Trails and loops are easier for beginners than boarded rinks.
What it costs
Free at City rinks. Toronto’s Skate Lending Library van lends skates, helmets and skating aids at no cost from 20 November 2026, with no reservation. Rentals at The Bentway are $15 for adults, and free on Thursday evenings from 7 January to 25 February 2027.
What to check
Children six and under must wear a CSA-approved helmet at Toronto leisure skates. Rinks close after heavy snow and on warm days, so check the rink status map first. I have a full list of outdoor rinks in Etobicoke if you are in the west end.
2. Go tobogganing on a designated hill
What it’s like
Nothing beats a fresh-snow morning on a good hill. The City of Toronto’s designated list names 28 parks with 30 hills, which it inspects regularly through the winter and may close when conditions are unsafe. In Oakville, Ontario Parks invites families to bring toboggans and tubes to the hill at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.
Who it suits
Kids of almost any age, with an adult watching. It is the cheapest outing on this list.
What it costs
Free on City hills. Bronte Creek is a provincial park, so day-use fees apply there.
What to check
Toronto warns that hills not on its list may hide trees, rocks or stumps, or run toward roads and rivers. It recommends ski helmets and says inner tubes and plastic discs are hard to control. See my list of tobogganing hills in Etobicoke and west Toronto for that side of the city.
3. Learn to ski or snowboard at Earl Bales Park
What it’s like
You do not need to drive to cottage country for a first ski day. The City runs the Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre in Earl Bales Park at 4169 Bathurst St. It has a beginner hill with a rope tow, three runs served by a four-person chairlift, and an accessible chalet at the top of the main hill. The City schedules the season from January to mid-March, depending on weather and snowfall.
Who it suits
Families trying skiing or snowboarding for the first time, and kids who want lessons close to home. The City runs instructor-led ski and snowboard lessons here.
What it costs
The City lists these prices before tax: a two-hour lift ticket is $21.29 for ages 18 and under and $26.91 for adults, and an all-day ticket is $40.65. The rope tow for the beginner hill is $13.14 a day. A full ski or snowboard rental set is $22.54 for two hours. A season family membership for two adults and up to four children is $843.98.
What to check
Riders under 18 need a parent or guardian to sign the waiver. Check the centre’s status before you go, because the City only posts a notice when the slopes are closed or have a service alert.
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4. Snowshoe or walk a winter trail
What it’s like
After a big snowfall, a trail walk on snowshoes is a calm, low-cost outing. In Toronto, the City suggests High Park for beginners and families, Tommy Thompson Park for more than 10 kilometres of trails with city views, the 9-kilometre Beltline Trail and the Don Valley ravines. You can also walk or snowshoe the City’s golf course snow loops, which usually open in December.
West of the city, Bronte Creek Provincial Park in Oakville has about 10 kilometres of ungroomed cross-country ski trails, and visitors can snowshoe on its hiking trails.
Who it suits
Families with mixed ages, and parents of kids who are not into skating. Toddlers can ride in a carrier or sled.
What it costs
Walking and snowshoeing in City parks is free. City parks do not have groomed cross-country trails, but the City allows cross-country skiing in parks unless signs say otherwise.
What to check
Ravine trails can be icy under fresh snow. Start with a short loop, tell someone your route and turn back before the kids get cold.
5. Visit a maple syrup festival at the end of winter
What it’s like
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority runs the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival at two sites: Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park at 3291 Stouffville Rd. and the Kortright Centre for Conservation at 9550 Pine Valley Dr. in Woodbridge. There are maple syrup demonstrations, trails and family activities on weekends and over March Break.
Who it suits
Families looking for a March Break plan. TRCA says both sites are stroller accessible with paved or gravel paths.
What it costs
It is a ticketed event. TRCA recommends buying timed tickets in advance, though tickets are also sold at the gate. Meals, gift shop items and parking are not included in admission. In 2026, horse and wagon rides were free thanks to a sponsor.
What to check
The 2027 dates are not announced yet. TRCA says to check back in February 2027. As a guide, the 2026 festival ran on weekends from 7 March to 6 April, plus 16 to 20 March and 3 to 6 April. Bruce’s Mill is not reachable by public transit, and the walk from the nearest bus stop to Kortright is about 1.5 kilometres.
What do these GTA winter activities cost?
| Activity | Where | Cost | 2026–27 timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor skating | Toronto City rinks | Free; free skate lending van | Usually late November to March |
| Outdoor skating | The Bentway, Toronto | Free; adult rentals $15 | 12 Dec 2026 to 28 Feb 2027 |
| Outdoor skating | Markham Civic Centre | Free | 30 Nov 2026 to 14 Mar 2027 |
| Tobogganing | 28 designated Toronto parks | Free | When there is snow |
| Skiing and snowboarding | Earl Bales Park, Toronto | $21.29 to $26.91 for two hours, plus tax | January to mid-March |
| Snowshoeing and trails | Toronto parks; Bronte Creek | Free in City parks; park fees at Bronte Creek | When there is snow |
| Maple syrup festival | Bruce’s Mill and Kortright | Ticketed; parking extra | 2027 dates to be announced; 2026 ran 7 Mar to 6 Apr |
Source: City of Toronto skating, tobogganing, skiing and snowshoeing pages; The Bentway (Nov 2026); City of Markham; Ontario Parks; TRCA. Checked 10 Nov 2026. Prices can change.
How do winter activities affect where GTA families buy?
When families tell me what they want in a neighbourhood, schools and commute come first. But the things they use every weekend, like a rink, a hill or a trail, often decide which street they end up loving. Here is what family-sized homes cost in the cities near some of these activities.
| City | Detached median, Jan–Oct 2026 | Change vs 2025 | Freehold town median | Change vs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississauga | $1,225,000 | -5.8% | $880,000 | -7.4% |
| Oakville | $1,625,000 | -3.0% | $1,005,000 | -7.8% |
| Vaughan | $1,415,000 | -5.0% | $1,014,500 | -9.3% |
| Markham | $1,420,000 | -6.5% | $999,990 | -10.9% |
| Whitchurch-Stouffville | $1,230,000 | -6.5% | $835,000 | -9.9% |
Source: TRREB MLS data via REALM, January–October 2026 vs the same period of 2025. Median sold prices, municipality level.
Prices are below last year in every one of these cities, which gives buyers more room to compare. My ranking of the best GTA cities for families goes deeper on schools and space, and my guide to buying a house in winter explains why the quieter months can work in your favour.
If you are house hunting this winter, use these outings as research. Take the kids to the rink or hill nearest the home you like, on a Saturday. You will learn more about the neighbourhood in an hour than from any listing. And if you already own, the same cold that makes winter fun is hard on a house, so keep my list of winter maintenance jobs handy.
What should families check before a winter outing?
- Status pages: rinks, hills and ski slopes all close for weather. Check the City or park page on the day.
- Helmets: required for young children at Toronto leisure skates and recommended by the City for tobogganing.
- Layers and spares: dress in layers and pack dry mitts and socks. Wet gloves end outings faster than the cold.
- Payment and ID: The Bentway’s rentals are cashless and need government ID, and the Earl Bales waiver needs a parent’s signature for anyone under 18.
Never let kids skate or slide onto frozen ponds, lagoons, the harbour or the lake. The City of Toronto does not allow skating on open bodies of water because temperature changes and salt run-off make the ice unpredictable. Use a maintained rink or a designated hill instead.
What to do next
- Bookmark the City’s rink status map and tobogganing page before the first snowfall.
- Check the Skate Lending Library schedule if your family needs free skates or helmets.
- Plan a first ski day at Earl Bales for January, once the City opens the slopes.
- Watch the TRCA site in February 2027 for maple syrup festival dates and tickets.
- If a move is on your 2027 list, try the free estimator above, then book a call with me.
Need help with this? Talk to me.
I’m Jatin Dua, Broker of Record at RE/MAX Quantum Realty, and I’m the best agent to do this kind of work for you in Toronto and across the GTA. Over $100 million in GTA sales and 100+ families helped sell. Feel free to contact me any time: call or text 833-330-1925 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What are the best winter activities for kids in the GTA?
The five I recommend for GTA families in 2026–27 are outdoor skating at a free rink or trail, tobogganing on a designated hill, learning to ski or snowboard at Toronto’s Earl Bales Park, snowshoeing a winter trail and visiting TRCA’s Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival in March. Skating, tobogganing and City park trails are free, which keeps costs low.
What can you do in Toronto in winter for free with kids?
In Toronto, drop-in skating at City rinks, tobogganing on the City’s 28 designated parks and walking or snowshoeing in City parks are all free. The City’s Skate Lending Library also lends skates, helmets and skating aids at no cost from 20 November 2026. The Bentway’s skate trail under the Gardiner is free to skate from 12 December 2026.
Where can kids learn to ski in Toronto?
Kids can learn to ski or snowboard at the City of Toronto’s Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre at 4169 Bathurst St. It has a beginner hill with a rope tow, three chairlift runs and instructor-led lessons. The season usually runs January to mid-March. A two-hour lift ticket for ages 18 and under is $21.29 before tax.
How much does it cost to ski at Earl Bales?
At Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre in Toronto, a two-hour lift ticket costs $21.29 for ages 18 and under and $26.91 for adults, and an all-day ticket is $40.65, all before tax. The beginner rope tow is $13.14 a day, and a two-hour ski or snowboard rental set is $22.54, according to the City’s page updated October 2026.
When do outdoor rinks open in the GTA for 2026–27?
Most GTA outdoor rinks open from late November to mid-December 2026. The City of Toronto says its outdoor artificial rinks typically open in late November. Markham’s Civic Centre rink is scheduled from 30 November 2026 to 14 March 2027, and The Bentway’s trail in Toronto opens on 12 December 2026. Weather can delay any opening.
When is the maple syrup festival near Toronto in 2027?
TRCA has not announced 2027 dates for its Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival and says to check back in February 2027. As a guide, the 2026 festival ran on weekends from 7 March to 6 April, plus March Break and the Easter weekend, at Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park in Stouffville and the Kortright Centre in Woodbridge.
Where can you snowshoe near Toronto?
The City of Toronto suggests High Park, Tommy Thompson Park, the Beltline Trail, the Don Valley ravines and Toronto Island for snowshoeing, plus its golf course snow loops, which usually open in December. In Oakville, Bronte Creek Provincial Park allows snowshoeing on its hiking trails and has about 10 kilometres of ungroomed cross-country ski trails.
Is tobogganing safe for young kids in Toronto?
Tobogganing can be safe for young kids in Toronto if you use a designated hill, supervise closely and use a helmet. The City inspects its 28 designated parks through the winter, recommends ski helmets, and advises against inner tubes and plastic discs. It also says riders should kneel or sit, never stand or go head first.
What should kids wear for outdoor skating in Toronto?
Children six and under must wear a CSA-approved helmet that covers the back and sides of the head at City of Toronto leisure skates, and helmets are recommended for older skaters. Dress kids in warm layers with gloves or mitts, and bring spares. Everyone on the ice must wear skates, and free loaner skates are available from the Skate Lending Library.
Sources
- City of Toronto: Drop-in Skating
- City of Toronto: Tobogganing
- City of Toronto: Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding Centre (Earl Bales)
- City of Toronto: Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
- The Bentway: Winter 2026–27 season release
- City of Markham: Public Skating (Civic Centre rink 2026–27)
- Ontario Parks: Bronte Creek activities
- TRCA: Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival
Related reading
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Mississauga in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Brampton in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Markham in 2027
- Top 5 Best Neighbourhoods to Live in Oakville in 2027
About the author — Jatin Dua, Toronto and GTA real estate broker
I am Jatin Dua, Broker of Record and co-founder of RE/MAX Quantum Realty Inc., Brokerage, Unit 101, 799 The Queensway, Toronto. I work with buyers and sellers across Toronto and the GTA and have helped more than 100 families sell. Four-plus years of active GTA transactions and over $100 million in sales volume.
Reach me at [email protected] or 833-330-1925, or book a call.