Milton is home to some of Ontario’s most scenic conservation areas, and while they’re picturesque year-round, the winter season brings its own special magic to the parks. From snow sports to whimsical events, there are endless ways to explore the outdoors before warming up with some indoor fun. Embrace the season with our guide to the most exciting winter activities and attractions that Conservation Halton has to offer.
Winter Activities at Conservation Halton
Experience Mountsberg Christmas Town
One of the most magical and beloved local holiday events of the year, Mountsberg Conservation transforms into Christmas Town from November 14 until December 23.
At this immersive event, guests are welcomed inside for crafts, cookie decorating and hot chocolate before taking a horse-drawn wagon or tractor ride to the main Christmas Town festivities. Here you can visit one-on-one with Santa and Mrs. Claus, explore the Elf and Flight Academies and see Mrs. Claus’ kitchen. Throughout the experience, guests can enjoy the string-lit ambiance of this wintery village while searching for items in the holiday scavenger hunt.
Families can also skip the sleigh ride and opt for tickets to Storytime with Santa, a self-guided experience on select dates. Instead of a solo family visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, you can participate in group storytime with a reading by Santa himself, plus all the other Christmas Town fun.
Hit the Slopes at Glen Eden
During the winter, Kelso Conservation becomes Glen Eden, one of Ontario’s most popular winter sports destinations. Along with being conveniently located for skiers and boarders in the GTA, it’s popular for its terrain park, beginner to intermediate runs, and night skiing.
Need some lessons? Glen Eden’s Snow School has you covered. Private and group classes are available for kids and adults, along with winter break and March break camps. For experienced skiers and snowboarders looking to enhance their skills, Glen Eden also has a variety of academy programs to help hone performance and learn to freestyle.
Go Cross Country Skiing
For a peaceful outdoor activity you can enjoy at your own pace, grab some skis and get into a rhythm while enjoying the natural scenery.
- Crawford Lake and Mountsberg have trails of varying difficulty, ranging from 1.5 to 6.5 km, but they are not groomed and skiers will need to make their own tracks.
- Hilton Falls has three groomed trails, including two moderate trails 3-4 km long and one difficult 8km trail.
Explore Nature While Snowshoeing
Try a classic Canadian pastime that lets you explore the winter terrain up close, especially in deep snow. Some find this sport easier to learn than skiing if they’re just starting out, and there are even more trail options.
- For beginners, Crawford Lake has two easy routes of varying lengths, along with a moderate trail.
- Mountsberg has an easy 1.6 km trail as well as a moderate – and much longer – 5.6 km trail.
- For a more challenging excursion, Hilton Falls has two moderate trails, as well as the longest and most difficult snowshoeing route of all the parks, the 8km Beaver Dam Trail.
Need rentals? Get them for free at the Milton Public Library.
Learn About Indigenous Experiences
Visit the Longhouse Village at Crawford Lake, a reconstructed 15th-century Iroquoian village, to learn about the lives of Indigenous communities 600 years ago. Conservation Halton staff are on hand to share interesting details about artifacts, tools, toys, and more with seasonal demonstrations. You can even warm up at a fire-starting demo!
Don’t miss the Deer Clan Longhouse, where you can dive deeper into the area’s history and cultural experiences with revolving exhibitions.
Guests can also visit a brand new exhibit, The Three Sisters, on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays until February 23, 2025. Featuring stories and artwork by Raymond R. Skye, a Tuscarora artist, the exhibit teaches visitors about the importance of corn, beans and squash to longhouse cultures and agriculture.
Try Your Hand at Archaeology
For some more indoor, educational fun, visit Crawford Lake’s Archaeology Discovery Centre. Here, you can explore what it means to be an archaeologist with six unique activity stations. Guests can examine signs of life under a microscope, dig for historical items, including pottery and bones, and learn how to put the pieces back together.
The discovery centre is the perfect spot to visit after seeing the Longhouse Village, helping contextualize the site’s past and how the archaeological discovery allows us to learn more about the real people who called it home.
