Vital Considerations for Renting a Cottage in the Winter
The summer is not the only time of the year when people head up North to the cottage in Ontario. Going to the cottage in the winter is something that many Ontarians do each year. There is just something organic about being up north away from everything, with the cool air, crisp snow, and faint scent of wood smoke that makes it a great place to be.
Think about it – Spending a few days in the cottage cozied up to the fire, reading your favorite book, enjoying time with your family and friends, and spending your days outdoors out on the lake ice fishing, tobogganing, and having snowball fights.
Renting a cottage is perfect for a romantic getaway, an outdoors excursion with friends, bachelor/bachelorette parties, spending the holidays with the family or just doing something completely different with your weekend.
The same rules apply when renting a cottage in the winter. You will quickly find there are more available than you probably anticipated. But, you need to book them soon before the best listings are taken.
Do your research and choose a location that makes sense for what you want to do. If you want to go ice fishing, then look for places that are known to have great ice fishing holes. If you are looking for something quieter, then look for a cottage that is more remote.
More cottage renting tips: A How To Guide for Renting A Cottage
The major difference when renting a cottage in the winter is the weather!
When packing for your trip to the cottage in the winter, you must be diligent when packing. Pack for the worst and hope for the best. You never know what you could encounter when making the drive or when you get to the cottage.
Always travel with an emergency kit. Pack extra blankets, gloves, shovel, flashlight, supplies, and a phone to call for help if you need assistance. Since you are in a more remote area, it could take some time for help to get to you – this is why being prepared is so important. This also means travelling in a reliable vehicle that is equipped with snow tires.
Read: Tips for Creating your Own Winter Emergency Kit for your Car
You also need to be prepared for the fact that you could get snowed in at the cottage. While the roads to the cottage will be plowed, depending on the severity of the storm, you could have to wait a couple days to get plowed out.
While heading up to the cottage during the winter is a unique experience, it can also be a dangerous one if you are not prepared.
Have you ever been to the cottage during the winter? What is one of your favorite memories from the experience? What advice would you suggest to others that are planning a trip to the cottage this winter?