Explore Huntsville is putting more resources into expanding visits to the town outside of the typical busy seasons.
“Summer and fall are busy. We don’t market summer anymore. Our focus is on late fall, early winter, into winter, and then spring,” said Kelly Haywood, executive director of Explore Huntsville.
By focusing on the quieter months, Explore Huntsville aims to drive more consistent visitor traffic, reduce the strain on infrastructure during peak seasons and create more year-round job stability for local workers.
Explore Huntsville is trying to raise awareness on how tourism strengthens the local economy and benefits residents directly.
Haywood said it’s a trickle-down effect — when tourists spend money, it supports local businesses, which in turn creates jobs and opportunities for the people who call Huntsville home.
Encouraging locals to see this broader economic impact can help shift their perspective to be more welcoming toward visitors, she said.
“I use the word ‘visitors’ now rather than tourist. Visitors could be guests in your home, extended family and friends. It could be people who are here on business for conferences or meetings, but contractors who are here to help fix our roads and infrastructure,” Haywood said.
“All of these people are guests in our community who contribute to the economy. And those visitors in our community should be treated like gold … The opportunity to invite them back or to leave an impression on them starts to put Huntsville on the map as a place that opens their arms to people — and it’s what’s going to set us apart.”
Winter-based activities and events in Huntsville and Lake of Bays
Events: The town’s annual SnowFest runs on weekends from Jan. 26 to Mar. 2 with Funky Fridays, Silver Screen Saturdays, and Caesar Sundaes. The 26th annual Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run is from Feb. 7 – 9 at Hidden Valley Resort.
Skating: Arrowhead Provincial Park’s 1.3 km skating trail opened on Jan. 11, and features “Fire & Ice” nights on weekends. A newly opened outdoor rink at River Mill Park downtown has a refrigeration system, allowing for family and leisure skating even in temperatures as warm as 8 C.
Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing: Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area has 15 trails, night skiing, and a terrain park for various skill levels. There is cross-country skiing at Arrowhead, Algonquin Provincial Park, and Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve. Find Your Wild has a winter discovery package that includes tubing, marshmallow roasting, and hot beverages.
Snowmobiling and winter ATVing: Both Huntsville and the Lake of Bays offer access to trails maintained by local clubs such as the Du Ya Wanna Trail Riders Snowmobile Club and Happy Wanders Snowmobile Club. Winter ATVing is a growing sport driving tourism in the area, according to Lake of Bays ATV Club president, Bill Johnson, who encourages visitors and residents to view the 2025 trail map and plan their rides accordingly.
Dining: Gazebos at Tall Trees have been converted into wood stove-heated winter chalets for a cozy private dining experience. BeaverTails in downtown Huntsville serves the iconic Canadian fried dough pastries, with both sweet and savoury options.
Others: North Ridge Ranch provides half-day or one-hour dog sledding tours. The Back of Beyond Equine Centre offers private sleigh rides, starting with a tour to meet the horses, followed by a 35-minute ride through woodland trails, and ending at a campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows.
