A Snowy Long Weekend In Canada
The day before we left Richmond, something even bigger happened — we got engaged on my birthday. 💍 It was simple, intentional, and so us. No huge production. Just the kind of moment that makes you pause and realize you’re stepping into a new chapter. The very next morning, we were on a flight to Canada — newly engaged, slightly sleep-deprived, and completely giddy — heading into a snowy long weekend that somehow felt even more meaningful because of it.
Ken & Dana Design Jinny Custom Ring
There’s something about leaving Richmond Virginia on a Friday morning with a carry-on and a plan. We landed in Toronto, grabbed some Poutine and a rental car, and made the 2.5-hour drive north into snow-covered Muskoka — chasing winter on purpose so we could snowshoe, skate, and fully lean into a Canadian Valentine’s weekend.
By the time we pulled up to JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa, the lake was frozen, the trees were frosted white, and we knew we’d chosen the right place.
Night One: Fondue in the Snow at the Muskoka Ice Caves
Our first night set the tone for the entire trip.
Dinner was inside the resort’s Muskoka Ice Caves — snow falling softly around us, heaters glowing, thick blankets wrapped around our shoulders. It felt like something out of a Hallmark movie.
We expected traditional cheese fondue… but instead, we were handed pots of hot oil and told we’d be cooking our own meats tableside. The food was prepared outside. It was interactive, cozy, and surprisingly fun — dipping steak and other proteins into sizzling oil while snowflakes landed. The four-course experience stretched into the evening, and we didn’t rush a second of it.
Between the snowfall, candlelight, and bundled-up laughter, it was the perfect start to Valentine’s weekend.
Day Two: Valentine’s at Johnston’s Cranberry Farm 🍷🛷
Valentine’s Day morning we drove over to Johnston's Cranberry Marsh & Muskoka Lakes Winery — a true Muskoka winter staple. Only 15 minutes from the resort!
A few fun cranberry facts we learned:
Cranberries grow on low-lying vines in sandy marshes.
The “flooded bog” look you see in fall is for harvesting — cranberries float because they contain tiny air pockets.
The Johnston family has been growing cranberries here since 1950.
In winter, the marsh transforms. We ice skated through winding trails carved right over the frozen bog and snowshoed across the property, bundled up in the crisp Canadian air.
Lunch was simple and perfect: warm brie flatbread topped with local cranberries. Sweet, tart, melty — exactly what you want after being outside in the snow.
And yes… we met Joy, the cranberry support dog. Possibly the most wholesome encounter of the weekend.
Valentine’s Dinner at Teca
That night back at the resort we dressed up for dinner at Teca, the Italian restaurant inside the JW.
It was a five-star experience in every way. Live salsa dancers moved between the tables, a violinist played while we ate, and the energy felt celebratory without being over the top. It was elegant but still warm — exactly how we like it.
Between the food, music, and atmosphere, it felt like the kind of Valentine’s you’ll remember years from now.
Day Three: Snowshoeing Scenic Caves & the Suspension Bridge
On our final day we headed to Scenic Caves Nature Adventures for more snowshoeing.
The trails wind through forest and open lookout points, but the highlight is the suspension bridge — stretching across the snowy landscape with views over Georgian Bay. Walking across it in the quiet of winter felt surreal.
It was peaceful, challenging enough to feel earned, and the perfect way to wrap up our active weekend.
The Crystal Head Vodka Ice Bar Experience 🧊🥃
That evening we had a private tour of the Crystal Head Vodka Ice Bar back at the resort.
The tasting takes place in a room chilled to –15°C (5°F) — and yes, you feel it immediately. The vodka is served in glasses carved from ice, which keeps it perfectly chilled without dilution.
A few cool facts about the –15 tasting:
The temperature enhances the smoothness of the vodka.
Crystal Head is known for its iconic skull bottle design.
The ice bar environment is designed to heighten the sensory experience — cold air, cold glass, clean finish.
It was immersive, different, and such a fun way to end the trip.
Why We’ll Be Back
What we loved most about JW Muskoka wasn’t just one experience — it was the range.
You can snowshoe in the morning, book a hydro spa circuit in the afternoon, ice skate at a cranberry marsh, dress up for fine dining at night, and then sip vodka in an ice bar at –15 degrees.
They also offer:
Ski and snowshoe rentals
Fat biking
Hydro spa experiences
Outdoor winter activities right on property
It’s the kind of place you can revisit every winter and do something different.
From flying out of Richmond to driving into a snow-covered Muskoka sunset, this three-day weekend felt intentional — like choosing winter instead of hiding from it.
And we’re already looking forward to next winter.
