Winter Activities

With a little preparation, winter can be just as much fun to play outdoors. In Halton Hills, take advantage of toboggan hills, trail hiking and cross-country skiing, and outdoor skating.

Toboggan Hills

Child with toboggan sled on winter hill

Acton - Sir Donald Mann Park

58 Mowbray Place, Acton
Gentler slope - beginner friendly
Playground on-site

Child with outdoor sled on winter hill

Georgetown - Cedarvale Park

217 Main Street South, Georgetown
Evening lighting
Steeper slope - use caution
Parking on-site

Safety tips for tobogganing

Tobogganing is a fun winter activity for all ages! Did you know that just 30 minutes of sledding, and the necessary hike up and down the hills, can burn between 200-300 calories? It also strengthens your leg muscles and your heart. Tobogganing can also result in an injury if you’re not prepared, alert and ready to spot something dangerous before it happens. Ride at your own risk, and see our tips below to make your outdoor adventure safe and fun.

Only toboggan at designated toboggan hills. Tobogganing in any other park or natural areas is prohibited under Parks By-law 2013-0062.

Protect your brain - wear a helmet! Choose a certified hockey or winter multi-sport helmet that fits correctly and where the chin strap is done up securely so that the helmet stays on in a crash or fall.

General safety tips

To reduce the risk of injury to yourself and others, follow these tips:

Before you proceed, assess the weather and physical conditions of the hill to ensure it is safe.
Avoid tobogganing if the hill is icy.
Do not toboggan near roadways and/or train tracks or in any other non-designated areas.
Do not toboggan at night or dusk.
Construction of snow jumps and other obstacles is not permitted.
A parent or guardian should accompany children.
For concerns about the condition of the hill, call 905-873-2600 ext. 2603.
For injuries or emergencies, call 911.

How to ride safely

Sit facing forward on the sled, not backwards, head first, or lying down.
Move out of the way quickly at the bottom of the hill.
Walk up the sides of the hill, not the middle. Watch for people sliding down as you climb.
Avoid stopping in the middle of the hill.
Avoid scarves, loose clothing. Tie up long hair that can get caught.
Children under 5 should not go down the hill alone. Use a toboggan that is large enough for an adult to go down with the child.
Teach children to roll off the toboggan if heading for danger.
Alert (shout) if you observe another slider headed for danger.
Keep your hands, arms and legs inside the sled to prevent injury.
Keep a safe distance (15 m) from the sled ahead of you.
Do not leave sleds or other obstacles on the hill.

Outdoor rinks

Outdoor rinks are closed for the season. Please check back for more information in January, 2025.

Weather permitting, Town staff will construct and maintain natural outdoor ice rinks during the winter season. Locations maintained by the Town of Halton Hills are intended as the primary locations to enjoy recreational outdoor skating during the winter season, but smaller rinks maintained by volunteers may also be available.

Winter Park Use, Trails and Cross-country skiing

Town of Halton Hills parks operating season ends in late October. Parks and trails are not maintained during the winter, and conditions may be slippery, especially boardwalks and bridges. Winter parks and trails are used at your own risk – use caution and dress appropriately. Snowshoes and cross-country skis are popular methods of accessing trails during winter months.

Pathway clearing

Tracks at Fairgrounds Park in Georgetown and Prospect Park in Acton will be plowed occasionally throughout the winter, providing easier access for walking. Due to the granular surface below, only partial clearing can be performed and visitors should still dress appropriately and use caution.

Additional pathways will be cleared at Dominion Gardens Park, Gellert Community Centre and along Eighth Line in Georgetown.

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing is permitted in Town of Halton Hills parks and open spaces. You may be moving faster on skis - please respect other park visitors and allow space for each other to use trails and pathways. Ski at your own risk. A few recommendations include starting at Cedarvale Park or Prospect Park, which provide large open spaces perfect for skiing or snowshoeing.

Storm water ponds

For your safety, skating or playing on frozen storm water ponds is prohibited.

Storm water management ponds are not safe for winter recreational use (skating, hockey, sledding) as ice conditions are unstable and unsafe. Use of storm ponds for these activities is prohibited. Look for on-site signage to know if the pond is a storm water pond.

Because storm water ponds are functioning drainage infrastructure, water flow and water levels can fluctuate quickly without warning. Ice depth can change across the pond, and salty runoff can lower the freezing temperature of the water, all increasing the risk of falling through the ice.

Learn more about storm water management ponds.

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