We really enjoy cross country skiing at Wye Marsh; not getting there as often this winter due to snow shortages, but always a good outing when conditions are right. Don’t forget to bring a quarter for bird seed; the chickadees will take it right out of your hand. Good photo ops(and good excuse for breaks, too)
Angelo B.
Place rating: 4 Toronto, Canada
Took the family here over the weekend. Not too far from Toronto… approx 2hr drive. Free parking lot. Paid a little over $ 70 for 3 entry & canoe tour(2 adults, 1 kid). The canoe ride was pretty cool. Unfortunately we didn’t see a large variety of animals. Apart from a beaver that we saw at the very start, it was basically just different types of birds. It was still fun though. The ride is advertised as being an hour, but its closer to 30min. Apart from that, we did a few short hikes. The best thing about this place is that it is very quiet and peaceful(at least it was the weekend we went), so it really is like you are escaping into nature. Nice change. Staff is helpful and friendly. My son enjoyed the Animal Show that they host(which actually appeals to all ages).
Dixie Q.
Place rating: 4 Toronto, Canada
This conservation area boasts great trails for cross-country skiing. These are flat, run in beautiful evergreens, through the marsh, you can hear the swans, have the chickadees land on your hands, and best of all? Not crowded! Few people come here. Such a welcomed respite from other busy resorts. It costs $ 16 to rent equipment(skis, boots, poles), and you can exchange these for snowshoes if you don’t feel like skiing the whole day. Now, when you get the poles, they adhere to old standards and assign poles that reach just up to your armpit. I was assigned such poles and it made for difficult double-poling. You may want to consider requesting longer poles. No cafeteria, only a cheapie coffee station, so pack a lunch! The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I lucked out that on the day we went, they had a birds of prey show. These shows are deliberately educational and you get to see the beautiful birds eat their(dead) prey as part of the educational program. I love these types of shows. The instructor showed an small owl, a falcon(not pelegrine) and a larger hawk. These birds were remarkably docile, but don’t get hear them when eating!
