Winter is not just for Snowmobilers in Muskoka

 We are patiently waiting for the snow to arrive.  I think next week it will come!  Friends and family ask about the people that come and stay with us in the Winter and what do they do.  They assume snowmobilers are our number one winter activity.  Last winter it was the case but that was because Muskoka was the only region close to Toronto and the GTA that had any snow!  (Muskoka gets the lake effect snow blown over from Georgian Bay.)

In addition to snowmobiling, Muskoka offers dog sledding, cross country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, ice skating, snowshoeing, hiking, tree top treking, and ice fishing.

Other activities include relaxing by the fireplace or soaking in an outdoor hot tub.  There's lots of restaurants closeby that offer everything from fast food to fine dining.




Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

The Quiet

 A small place in the country like ours offers something that you can't find in town or the city - Quiet.

People tell me that they sleep better, sleep longer and get more rest.  I know that when I go away and stay somewhere else I don't get a great sleep.  I'm not used to the noise. 

I bring my own travel pillow but it isn't the same .


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Is Wifi something you need when you travel?

When we travel , it's a given that I need to have access to the internet wherever we stay.  I use it to keep in touch with family and business by email.  We use it to find where to  eat that's nearby and any local attractions that we may wish to visit. It's almost like an extension of the concerierge service you find at the big hotels.

When we were away last weekend, we stayed in downtown toronto for one night and out in Bowmanville for a second night.  Both were chain hotels and relatively new.  The one in downtown toronto had internet problems where I kept being logged off after a few seconds and the Bowmanville Hotel had no wifi except in the lobby, but would lend you a cable for your laptop.  What do you think I'm going to remember about these hotels? Not how clean or up to date or the great breakfast... I'm going to remember the wifi hastles.

At Beauview, we have a wifi network that runs throughout the property.  There are signal boosters for the far away places.  iPhones and Apple devices as well as laptops can all be accommodated by the network.  We get a strong internet signal from down the lake. So strong that we are also an internet access point for our cottage neighbours.

We want your stay at Beauview to be problem free.  The internet service should just be there... no worries!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Beauview Cottages Waterpark, Tubing, Paddleboard

Waterfront Activities at Beauview Cottages, Lake of Bays, Muskoka = Tubing, water trampoline, Moonwalk, Iceberg water slide, stand up paddleboard

See Video Slideshow

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Smiles at the Beauview Cottages Waterfront

 Video Slideshow of Beauview Guests at the waterfront  Show us your SMILES! ;)

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

New SUP Paddleboard

What's SUP  !    This is a Stand Up Paddleboard we just got from Clearwater Boats

Note: While demonstrating how to use it,  Gord did not get wet and did not fall over  ... this time!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

May Long Weekend Kayaking and Peddleboating

The weather was gloriously warm and sunny.  Our guests went peddle boating and kayaking on Lake of Bays.


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Traffic Reports on your Smartphone

CTV Barrie has just released a Traffic APP for Android Smartphones.

http://www.ctvbarrie.ca/new-cottage-traffic-app/

They expect to have the app for free in the Apple App store at the beginning of June 2012.


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Even the Chipmunks are Relaxed

Even the Chipmunks are relaxed at Beauview.  This photo was taken by our guests Ron and Rhonda this past weekend.




Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Honeymoon Photo, Beauview Cottages, Lake of Bays Muskoka

Congratulations to Mafie and Anthony from Boston MA!  They spent their honeymoon at Beauview.  Had a great steak dinner at Blackburns Landing, Huntsville and even saw a moose in Algonquin Park!


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

BUGS! - Insect Repellents- What Works?

Here's an article about a subject that no one in tourism really wants to talk about - BUGS  or mosquitoes and black flies

Some people don't venture outside of the city for fear of getting bitten by black flies or mosquitoes.    >>> They are missing out on a lot of fun!

We tried using a yard mosquito trap that uses carbon dioxide, but found that it wasn't very effective.  It was more psychological than anything.  Instead, there are bug nets on many of the cottage decks for people to sit out under or enjoy the hot tub, at night.

Although there are many opinions, we don't think that chemical fogging to kill all the insects is the correct solution. Birds and fish would lose a food source. Plants would lose a pollinator. Both could become sick and die too.

In the last year or so, there have been remarkable improvements in repellants that are easy on your body and easy on the environment.

Three new products that come to mind are the Insect Defend Patch and the Off! Clip on (repellant you don't spray on)

  and Bug BAM wristband 

Gord has used the Insect Defend patch which is vitamin B1 distributed through your skin. (no DEET)  We give them away to our Beauview guests.  Some have had great results where they have received no bites.  Others don't like the musky smell.  You can wear it when swimming or bathing. It doesn't come off easily.

The Off! Clip on is something we will try this year. We like it because you don't have to spray anything on your body or clothing. It goes wherever you go.  And it can be turned on and off unlike the patch where once its on - its on - for 24 hours! 

Consumer Reports (U.S.) doesn't think too much of the Off! Clip on product after testing it.

Read their report on the most effective insect repellents. 

Another product, we are going to try is the Bug BAM wristband, which gives 100 hours of protection. (when you aren't using it, it goes in a bag. So it lasts a lot longer as opposed to the patch which works round the clock whether you need it or not)

All Bug Bam products use a 100% natural, food-grade formula and materials.
All repelling products are non-toxic, waterproof, sweat-proof and tested to repel for up to 100 hours.
All repelling products are non-irritant and safe to use on children of all ages.

We have a family that comes each year and uses this type of product for both adults and children.

 

From U.S. Consumer Reports: Six repellents protected against deer ticks and two common types of mosquitoes for 7 hours or more. Four of those contain deet in varying levels. The Environmental Protection Agency judges deet safe when used as directed, but it has caused rare toxic reactions when misused. It shouldn't be applied to infants less than 2 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using repellents with deet concentrations higher than 30 percent on any children. We think that no one needs a repellent with more than 30 percent deet.
The active ingredient in Repel is oil of lemon eucalyptus. (It's not recommended for children under 3.) Almost as effective was Natrapel, which protects with picaridin, a chemical newer than deet.

Insect Repellent for Children:

There are several ways to avoid insect bites:

• Wear light-coloured, long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outdoors.
• Avoid places where mosquitoes breed and live, like standing water.
• Stay inside when mosquitoes are most active: dawn, dusk, evening.
• Use insect repellents.

See Caring for kids article

What works best for you?



Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Fuel and Fun Spring Special Package

SPRING 2012 SPECIAL
Offered from April 3 to May 17 , 2012
$179/cottage per night for any cottage with a hot tub with a 2 night minimum stay.

Click here to check availability and make a reservation:

http://www.availabilityonline.com/availtable.asp?un=beauview

Get a $50 Gas Card and $50 in Travel vouchers, if you reserve before March 31, 2012

Click here for more details: http://explorersedge.ca/fuelandfun/

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Chipmunk's Winter Home

With the warm weather, the birds and animals are out. Squirrels, deer, moose, turkeys, and chipmunks.

It looks like this little guy has made a home in my drainage pipe over the winter. he's going to have to move out shortly or get wet!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

March Break Sunrise on Lake of Bays, Muskoka

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Fantastic Snowmobiling in Muskoka

Muskoka got rave reviews this week from our snowmobilers about the fantastic snowmobile trails.

The ladies came a second time after having a great experience over the Family Day long weekend.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

We got 8 inches of Snow on Friday

When the GTA was bracing for a winter storm that never came, Muskoka got 8 inches of snow on Friday.

Just in time for the weekend snowmobilers and skiiers.

Huntsville was host to the OFSA nordic ski races this week and the Ontario Para Sport Winter Games this weekend. Great conditions for their competitions.

People were wondering if there will be any snow to play in, over March Break. (March 12 -16)

Looks like there will be!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Is it Safe to go onto the Lake?

Is it safe to venture onto the lake? The short answer is NO. The lake is never safe.

But if these trucks can park on it and snowmobiles are all over it, then ...

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Snowmobilers and Romantic getaways

What do snowmobilers and couples away on a romantic getaway have in common?

They came to Huntsville, Lake of Bays, Muskoka searching for snow to play in.

People from Windsor, Waterloo, Sudbury and Orangeville. There, they have very little or no snow at all. We were lucky enough to get another 4 cm on Friday afternoon.

The hot tubs are HOT and the snowmobile trails are in great shape.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

The Snowmobilers are Back!

We have 3 groups of snowmobilers staying with us this weekend.

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Who has Snow in Ontario?

Who has snow on the Ground this weekend in Ontario?

Here's a map to show where you can go to play in the snow.

HINT: Huntsville, Muskoka has lots of snow!

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Muskoka Snowmobile Trails Surprisingly Good!

Since I don't get out very much to snowmobile, I ask my neighbours who are snowmobilers. We were at the Port Sydney Winter Carnival Pancake Breakfast this morning.

One of our neighbours who sat with us, was on his way to go snowmobiling for the day.
He said that he was also out on Friday and found the trails surprisingly good!

He put over 100 miles on his sled yesterday all around Muskoka and down to Haliburton and back... He said even some of the lakes are getting staked for safe crossing.

See the OFSC trail reports and map. Please keep in mind that the OFSC updates the trail reports on Mondays and Thursdays.


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

New 2012 Winter / Spring Rates

We have just revised our rates to make them more affordable in the Winter and Spring ... especially for couples and Romantic Hot Tub Cottage Getaways.

See our Rates page at http://www.beauview.on.ca/rates.htm

Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

Latest Review on Trip Advisor.com

Beauview Rating is 5 out of 5

Thank you!

Please see our latest review on Trip Advisor.com


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Lake of Bays Skating and Trout Fishing

With the cold cold weather we have had these last few days, the lake is freezing up solid. Beauview waterfront has 5 inches of ice which is enough for skating or boot hockey. This is part of the Canadian Winter experience - skating on a frozen lake! The hockey nets and sticks come out next.

I saw the first ice fishing hut go out on the lake today down by the public dock. It couldn't go too far as I still see open water beyond the islands.

Lake of Bays is a great lake for Lake trout and whitefish fishing.


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047

Happy New Year! - Winter Activities this week

We have snow and there's more coming this week. Algonquin park is open - outdoors with their trails and indoors at the Visitors Centre with film presentations each day and sessions with a naturalist on Animal Tracking in the Winter, and Winter Birds in Algonquin.
www.algonquinpark.on.ca

Hidden Valley Highlands Ski Area is open for skiiers and snowboarders http://www.skihiddenvalley.ca/

Rock Ridge Snow Tubing is open all week 10 am to 10 pm for fun snow tubing down their hills.
http://www.rockridgetubing.com/

Beauview has cottages with personal hot tubs available this week at a special rate of $179/ night per cottage (not per person) plus HST (2 night minimum stay)

... Why not take a few days off to come play with us!


Beauview Cottage Resort, Huntsville, Ontario, Canada http://www.beauview.com 800-363-6047