Cottage season gets all the attention, but Eastern Ontario doesn't exactly shut down once the lake freezes over. Skiing at Calabogie, skating the Rideau Canal, snowmobile trails through Renfrew County and a taproom in Vankleek Hill that's just as good for warming up as it is for cooling off. If you're the type who already knows the best cottage areas in Ontario for summer, here's the version built for the other half of the year.
Whether you're planning a ski weekend, a skating day trip or a proper long weekend up the Valley, this guide covers the best winter getaways in Eastern Ontario, plus what to pack in the cooler for each one.
CALABOGIE: EASTERN ONTARIO'S FOUR-SEASON ANCHOR
Calabogie Peaks Resort sits about an hour west of Ottawa off the 417, and while it's a solid summer lake spot, winter is really where it shines. It's the biggest ski hill in the region, with enough vertical and terrain variety to hold a full day without repeating a run, and the base village makes it easy to post up for a weekend instead of just a day trip.
The town of Calabogie itself stays low-key outside the resort, which is part of the appeal. You get the hill, a handful of good spots to eat and drink and the kind of quiet that's hard to find closer to the city.
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Best for: Ski and snowboard weekends, groups who want a proper resort base, anyone doing a longer Ottawa Valley trip.
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Beer for the Calabogie weekend: Lug Tread earns its keep here. It's the kind of beer that works equally well après-ski by the fire or with dinner after a full day on the hill.
THE RIDEAU CANAL: THE WORLD'S LARGEST SKATING RINK
When conditions cooperate, the Rideau Canal Skateway turns downtown Ottawa into one of the most unique winter outings in the country. Nearly eight kilometres of maintained ice running through the heart of the city, with BeaverTails stands and warming huts along the way.
It's an easy half-day plan on its own, or a good anchor for a longer weekend if you're combining it with a trip up the Valley. Check ice conditions before you go since the skateway's opening dates shift year to year with the weather.
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Best for: Day trips from Ottawa, first-timers, anyone who wants a classic Canadian winter activity without much planning.
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Beer for the canal day: Barn Burner is the move once you're off the ice. Sessionable, easy and exactly right for warming up afterward without weighing you down.
RENFREW COUNTY AND THE OTTAWA VALLEY: SNOWMOBILE AND SNOWSHOE COUNTRY
The same stretch of Eastern Ontario that makes the cottage list every summer turns into serious snowmobile territory once the snow sets in. Renfrew County has an extensive groomed trail network connecting small towns across the Valley, and the terrain around White Lake and the Madawaska corridor works just as well for snowshoeing or a quiet winter hike as it does for a full day on a sled.
This is also where a lot of the summer cottage crowd already has a place, which makes a winter weekend an easy add-on if you already know the area.
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Best for: Snowmobilers, snowshoers, anyone who wants a quieter winter trip over a resort weekend.
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Beer for the trail day: Beau's Lite travels well and doesn't slow you down if there's more trail ahead. Pack a few for the ride home too.
GATINEAU PARK: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING RIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER
Just across the river from Ottawa, Gatineau Park has one of the best groomed cross-country trail networks in the country, with over 200 kilometres of trails ranging from easy loops to serious backcountry terrain. It's close enough to be a half-day trip and big enough to fill an entire weekend if you want to make it one.
The park also has some of the best lookout points in the region once the leaves are gone and the snow's down, with views across the Ottawa Valley worth the climb.
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Best for: Cross-country skiers, day trips from Ottawa, anyone who wants a workout with the view attached.
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Beer for the ski day: Juiced AF is a good pick for an indoor lodge night after a long day on the trails. Hop-forward and juicy enough to feel like a reward.
MONT STE-MARIE AND THE GATINEAU HILLS: THE BIGGER HILL OPTION
For a bigger vertical drop than Calabogie or the smaller Ottawa-area hills, Mont Ste-Marie in the Gatineau Hills is worth the extra drive. It's less crowded than the bigger Quebec resorts closer to Montreal, and the surrounding area has enough small-town character to make a weekend out of it rather than just a day on the hill.
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Best for: Groups chasing a bigger ski day, weekend trips with more terrain variety.
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Beer for the weekend: Wonder Crush works well as the lighter option in the cooler if your group wants something fruit-forward alongside the heavier lineup.
WARM UP AT THE TAPROOM IN VANKLEEK HILL
Whatever winter trip you're planning, Vankleek Hill is worth routing through. The Beau's taproom doesn't slow down once cottage season ends. It's an easy stop on the way to or from the Ottawa Valley, and honestly it might be a better winter stop than a summer one. Warm food, a full menu and a place to sit for a while before getting back on the road.
Stop in on the way out to stock up for the weekend, or make it the last stop on the way home once the trip's done and you're ready to sit somewhere warm for a bit.
STOCKING THE WINTER COOLER: THE BEAU'S RUNDOWN
Winter trips still need a cooler, it just does different work than it does in July. Here's how the lineup breaks down by activity:
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Après-ski by the fire: Lug Tread Lagered Ale, the flagship, built for exactly this
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Off the ice after a day skating: Barn Burner, sessionable and easy
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Long trail days, snowmobile or snowshoe: Beau's Lite, light enough to travel well
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Indoor lodge nights: Juiced AF, hop-forward and no apologies
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Something lighter for the group: Wonder Crush, hazy and fruit-forward
Browse the full Beau's beer lineup and figure out your mix before the weekend, then find it near you before you head out.
READY TO GO?
Eastern Ontario doesn't take the winter off, and neither should your weekend plans. Whether it's a day on the Calabogie hill, a skate down the canal or a full weekend up the Valley, there's a version of this region worth seeing in the snow too.
If you're routing through the area, stop at Beau's in Vankleek Hill on the way. Otherwise, find Beau's near you before the bags are packed.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT ARE THE BEST WINTER GETAWAYS NEAR OTTAWA?
Calabogie Peaks for skiing, the Rideau Canal Skateway for a classic day trip and Gatineau Park for cross-country skiing are the three most practical options within an hour or so of the city. Renfrew County and the Ottawa Valley are better for a quieter weekend or a snowmobile trip.
IS CALABOGIE GOOD FOR A WEEKEND SKI TRIP?
Yes. Calabogie Peaks has the biggest hill in the region along with a base village that makes it easy to stay for a full weekend rather than just a day trip. It also works as a summer lake destination, so it's one of the few spots in the area that's genuinely a four-season option.
WHEN IS THE RIDEAU CANAL SKATEWAY OPEN?
Opening dates shift year to year depending on ice conditions, typically sometime in January, and the season usually runs into February or early March. Always check current ice conditions before heading out since the skateway can open in sections as conditions allow.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR AN EASTERN ONTARIO WINTER TRIP?
Pack for layers and cold-weather changes. Warm base layers, waterproof outerwear, good boots, hand and toe warmers and sunglasses for bright snow days all matter more than people expect. A stocked cooler helps too, especially for trips further from town where stores can be harder to find.
IS THE OTTAWA VALLEY GOOD FOR SNOWMOBILING?
Yes. Renfrew County has one of the more extensive groomed trail networks in Eastern Ontario, connecting small towns across the Valley. It's a popular winter destination for both day trips and longer weekends, especially for groups who already know the area from summer cottage trips.
WHAT'S THE BEST BEER TO BRING ON A WINTER TRIP?
It depends on the activity more than the destination. Lighter, sessionable options like Beau's Lite or Barn Burner work well for active days on the trail or the ice, while something like Lug Tread or Juiced AF is better suited to an evening by the fire once the day is done.