Winter

ACTIVITIES

Experience a Winter Wonderland at Sandy Lane Resort. Embrace the magic of winter at Sandy Lane Resort, where a true winter wonderland awaits. Picture frozen lakes, snow-covered forests, and endless trails for adventure. Yes, we have snow—plenty of it—and a host of activities to make the most of the season.

Enjoy outdoor winter fun like ice skating, tobogganing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Warm up by our campfires or try your hand at ice fishing. For snowmobiling enthusiasts, we’re conveniently located on popular snowmobile trails also the RAPP Tour! Whether you're seeking relaxation or thrilling winter activities, Sandy Lane Resort is your perfect winter escape.

ON-SITE

Endless Fun on Our Outdoor Skating Rink at Sandy Lane Resort. At Sandy Lane Resort, the fun never stops! Our large natural outdoor skating rink is perfect for family and friends to enjoy, offering endless hours of skating joy. Lit for nighttime fun, it’s the ideal place to glide under the stars and create unforgettable memories. We provide a selection of skates, so all you need to bring is your enthusiasm for a great time on the ice. Come skate with us and make the most of winter at Sandy Lane Resort!

Ice Fishing at Sandy Lane Resort – Hall's Lake is one of Ontario's best ice fishing spots. When winter blankets Halls Lake in snow and ice, it transforms into one of Ontario’s best ice fishing destinations. The lake is teeming with fish, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and lake trout, making it a perfect spot for anglers of all levels.

Not only will you enjoy an exciting day of fishing, but you might also catch a glimpse of the winter wildlife around the lake—squirrels, moose, raccoons, deer, and sometimes even wolves roam nearby.

Sandy Lane Resort is one of the few Ontario cottage resorts that offers hut and on-site auger rentals, so all you need to bring is your gear and your sense of adventure. Come experience ice fishing like never before at Sandy Lane Resort!

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing at Sandy Lane Resort. With an abundance of snow, Sandy Lane Resort offers the perfect setting for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing right from your cottage. Glide through the picturesque surroundings of our resort or venture onto the frozen expanse of Halls Lake for a unique skiing experience.

For those seeking a wider adventure, just 10 km north, you’ll find the renowned Leslie Frost Classic Ski Trails, or head 25 km east to explore the skating trails at the New Moose Woods Centre. Glebe Park in Haliburton also offers a lit “Fun Time” night skiing experience. No matter which trail system you choose, you’ll be skiing on some of the best-groomed cross-country trails in Ontario.

Snowshoeing enthusiasts can enjoy the trails at the Frost Centre. We provide varying sizes of skis, poles, boots, and snowshoes for your convenience. Come experience winter like never before!

For more information, visit www.skihaliburton.com.

Relax and Unwind in our Cathedral Cabins #1-4 with Private Hot Tubs

Escape the everyday and indulge in the ultimate relaxation at our resort. Some of our cozy, fully equipped cabins feature private hot tubs, offering soothing warmth while taking in stunning views of nature. Whether you're looking to unwind after a day of adventure or simply want to relax in comfort, our hot tubs provide the ideal setting for peace and rejuvenation.

Available from November 1st to April 30th. Book your stay today and experience the luxury of a hot tub retreat that makes your getaway truly unforgettable.

At Sandy Lane Resort, every cottage is equipped with its own charming wood-burning fireplace, creating the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and comfort. Put your feet up, indulge in some snacks, enjoy a refreshing drink, and let the crackling fire soothe your senses. We provide the first bag of firewood free, so you can start your cozy experience right away. Need more wood? No worries! Additional firewood is available for just $10.00 a bag. We only permit the use of our firewood as to protect the area from invasive species. Come enjoy the warmth and ambiance of your very own fireplace—your ultimate retreat awaits.

Fireplaces available Nov 1st-April 30th.

OFF-SITE

Base Camp 35 is an Outdoor Adventure Company offering unforgettable action packed weekends!

The Base Camp 35 vision started in the year 2000 when Lorne Foisy enrolled in the 10 month Leadership Development Program at Medeba Adventure Learning Center in the Haliburton Highlands. Focusing on Outdoor Adventure Programming, Lorne quickly developed a passion for the vertical world of rock and ice climbing. After the successful completion of the program, he pursued his dreams of the mountains taking up residence in the Canadian Rockies. Becoming an ACMG certified top rope climbing instructor, he began instructing for the Tim Horton Children’s Ranch. Moving back to Haliburton in 2016, Lorne desires to spread his passion for climbing with others. If you are signing up for a climbing adventure, you are sure to have a great experience!

WHAT ARE WE?

Base Camp 35 is an adventure based business that gives you an opportunity to safely experience adventure activities that you would not normally get the chance to do. We offer Ice Climbing in the winter seasons and Rock Climbing and Rappelling adventures in the summer.

Base camp operates within the HWY 35 corridor in the Algonquin Highlands. We have multiple locations we use for climbing based on the groups level of experience and desired adventure!

For more information place visit Basecamp35

If you are looking for things to do around Sandy Lane Resort there are many things in the nearby towns.

In Dorset there is the Snowball Carnival, in Minden there is ice car races, hockey to watch and much more, and if ice fishing is your thing you can go to the Krista’s Bait n’ Bits on Halls Lake.

The town of Dorset comes alive in the third weekend of February with the Dorset Snowball Carnival , hosting snowmobile poker runs, outdoor ice hockey, snowman building and so much more.

There is a lot to do outdoors in the winter, just bundle up and visit the ice car races in Minden at the fair grounds. Head to the Minden arena to watch junior hockey or go ice fishing at Krista’s Bait n’ Bits on Halls Lake.

Return to Sandy Lane Resort at the end of the day to your warm cottage, light a fire, put up your feet, enjoy your favorite refreshment while having a few snacks and let the snow come down around you.

Sandy Lane Resort is right in the middle between two great ski hills, Sir Sam’s Ski / Ride.

Both ski and snowboard Hills have a main lodge with food and rentals for skiing and snowboarding. Hidden valley also offers night skiing.

SIR SAM’S SKi / RIDE

Bundle up and join us on the hill! Fresh powder, challenging elevations, breathtaking views and friendly staff are waiting for you at Sir Sam’s. Spend your day easily moving from hill to hill on our 1100 foot covered surface lift or your choice of 4 uncontested chair lifts. Our goal is to maximize your time by getting you to the top of the hill as quickly and efficiently as possible, allowing you to get in as many runs as possible during your day.

For more information on our Sir Sam’s Special rates please ask!

There are two trails systems at the Frost Institute, one for classic track set skiing on the west side of HWY 35 and one for snowshoeing on the hiking trails behind the Frost Institute buildings.

A great bunch of volunteers maintain the trails, visit Ski at the Frost Centre site to see what they are up to. You can rent cross-country skis, poles and shoes as well as snowshoes from Sandy Lane Resort. Play around on the resort or head for the frost centre, which is only 10 minutes away for great skiing or snowshoeing. Pick up your 20% off trail passes at Sandy Lane Resort.

Experience a winter wonderland of rugged Canadian Shield, majestic hardwood forests, old growth white pine, hemlock and yellow birch. Ski or snowshoe to cliff top lookouts and spectacular ice falls. View wildlife such as moose, deer, owls, martens, grouse and much more.

Located 12 km south of Dorset, Ontario at 20130 Hwy. 35.

26 km of classic cross-country ski trail offer 8 stacked loops ranging in length from 1.2 km to 6.5 km. Beginner to expert level trails, we have it all. Families can explore the Fox, Bunny, Bear, Beaver and Otterslide trails. If you are looking for a longer, more remote backcountry experience try the Deer and Moose Trails, which combine to give a 22 km loop. Several trails offer technical downhill sections for advanced skiers

It’s time to bring out the snowmobiles to do endless trail riding on the OFSC trails (local clubs are www.hcsa.on.ca and www.msrsnowtrails.com).

Just 30 km away from Sandy Lane Resort is Haliburton Forest that has the world’s largest private snowmobile system and it is usually the first trails to open and the last trails to close.

Leave right from your cottage at Sandy Lane Resort and return when you wish and always on different land based trails, all winter long or journey onto the lake trails when the conditions are right. It’s endless trails and endless fun with friends and family.

To rent Snowmobiles please visit the following sites for availability and pricing:

Back Country Tours offer delivery to Sandy Lane http://www.backcountrytours.ca/

*special rates for Sandy Lane Resort:

Big Hawk Marina http://www.bighawk.ca/ (Closest)

H.S.R. Ski-doo rentals http://www.skidoorentals.com/

Haliburton Forest http://www.haliburtonforest.com/snowmobile.html

Old Mill Marina http://www.oldmillmarina.ca/win_rentals.htm