Happy International Women’s Day!

Happy International Women’s Day!

Today is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate, learn together and #BreakTheBias! We are fortunate to have such a wonderful community of inspiring and empowered women in our Muskoka Bear Wear community and we wanted to shout some of them out! Want to shout out a woman in your life that has inspired you? Send us a DM on Facebook & Instagram!

 

“My mom is my inspiration as she’s been such an incredible support to me throughout my life. She’s my best friend. I’ve always looked up to her as she’s such a hard worker, family orientated and such an amazing mom, nana & friend.”

- Melissa who nominated her Mom

“I don’t know what I’d do without my sister Kresson, she’s always been by number one supporter and best friend. She is the strongest, smartest most creative woman I know and wether she realizes it or not I feel like I can do anything with her by my side. I’ve always looked up to her and always will. Love you Kress.”

- Dawson who nominated his sister Kresson

“My biggest inspiration is my mom! Aside from being my mother, she has always been my biggest supporter, role model & best friend. She has taught me life lessons that I will forever be thankful for and we have made memories together that will last a lifetime!”

- Emily who nominated her Mom

“Toritse is one of those people who inspire by leading. She seeks out challenges to grow, she’s always pushing forward to try new things whether that be launching her business, pursuing an international Master’s program, travelling the world, and meeting new people. She really becomes a sister and friend to every one she meets because of how caring and kind she is. She’s forever changed my life and taught me what it means to be there for someone and support them unconditionally”.

- Em who nominated Toritse

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them, may we raise them. May we be them.”

A mom is holding her daughter wearing MBW
Woman standing in sand wearing MBW
Woman standing in cottage wearing orange MBW hoody and grey MBW sweatpants
Exploring Muskoka in the Winter with Kresson

Exploring Muskoka in the Winter with Kresson

With that winter chill setting in and the days getting shorter, it’s hard to get motivated to get outside. Need some inspo on what to do to beat the winter blues? Look no further! I’m your girl! In this post, I’ll be covering some of the best activities to do in and around Muskoka during the cold months. There is no shortage of outdoorsy activities to keep you warm and keep your mind happy. I haven’t done all of them YET. They’re all on my list for this season! So, consider this my winter bucket list. It’s so important to keep your mental health a priority during the winter months, and being outside has been proven to help keep you happy and healthy (no, seriously, I did a whole project on it, it’s science!). I hope you get some inspo to keep you happy, healthy in this post!

Hiking!

There is no shortage of beautiful hiking in the area, and the trails seemingly come alive in the winter! To say Muskoka is a winter wonderland would be an understatement! Here are a few trails to definitely check out in the winter!

High Falls

High Falls is one of my favourite places to go for a casual hike in Muskoka. It’s stunning all year round and turns into a winter wonderland come December! If you’re looking for a relatively easy hike with optimal views, this is the place for you! This location features several waterfalls, a beach with PNW vibes, and a forest that really feels like fairies could live there.

Limberlost

If you’re a more experienced hiker and you want a little bit of a more challenging hike, then Limberlost forest is up your alley! This conservation area has multiple day hikes ranging anywhere from 5-13km in length. There are stunning lookouts, calm lakes, and other surprises along each trail. The trails are stunning in the winter and are ideal for a day trip adventure!

Huckleberry

Huckleberry comes alive in the winter! With stunning views and fresh snow, you’ll be in awe of what this short trail has to offer. Catch a sunset here and see how the snow turns golden. During the winter months, the lookout is less crowded, making it a great place for some pictures and some relaxation.

Experiences!

Arrowhead Provincial Park:

There are several places to skate in the area, but the best known in the area is, of course, the Arrowhead Provincial Park skating trail. This trail winds through snow-covered pines, offering a truly magical experience. Arrowhead also offers camping and hiking year-round making this an amazing spot for a weekend getaway! They book up quickly in the winter, so make sure to save your spot in advance! The trails here are lovely in the winter. My favourite is Stubb’s Falls – a quick hike that features a lovely waterfall, and the opportunity to feed birds! Make sure to also check out Big Bend Lookout – the iconic view at Arrowhead.

Muskoka Lakes Winery:

This winery features a skating trail and pond hockey in the winter! Stay for a wine tour, sip hot mulled wine or cider and hike some of the trails on site. This winery is located in Bala and has something for everyone! It is open year-round, and their Bog to Bottle wine tasting is a Canadian Signature Experience! There is a cute cafe to warm up in after skating and a gift shop to browse for your favourite wine you tried while there!

Liv Outside Adventures:

Currently top of my list of things I HAVE to try out is an ice climbing experience with a local outdoors shop in Bracebridge. They offer multiple guided tours in the summer and winter. In the winter, they offer snowshoe rentals and guided hikes. They also offer an ice climbing adventure, and I am dying to give it a shot! It’s a little bit more on the pricey side so take that into consideration. They offer different prices per group size. You can find more on their website (linked below). I can’t wait to give this a try, and I’ll let you know how it goes!

The Beer Spa:

Looking for a winter vacay that is true to cottage country? Look no further than the Beer Spa in Torrance. They have cabins to rent out, and you can get a keg of locally crafted beer set up right in your room! The cabins are cosy and set up with classic VHS tapes and a fireplace to keep you warm. When we went there, they weren’t offering in house spa treatments because of COVID, but they did provide the info for several companies that would do house calls. In the winter there is a skating rink set up as well as a restaurant to enjoy! There are multiple hiking trails nearby, my favourite being Hardy Lake loop. The spa is also located right by the dark sky preserve, so make sure to step outside and enjoy some of the most breathtaking night sky views Muskoka has to offer.

Photography by Kresson Taylor & Dawson Taylor

My Muskoka Story – Ashley

My Muskoka Story – Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley

My name is Ashley Hughes-Hailstone. My husband Evan and I have 3 children; Emerson, Laughlin and Alaina!

Selfie photo of Ashley in MBW

“We were first introduced to MBW while visiting my best friends’ cottage in Bracebridge Ontario. Her and her children all had the most adorable sweaters, and we were soon hooked as well”!

Muskoka Bear Wear coffee cup beside the fire
Toddler wearing a Muskoka Bear Wear hoody and some sunglasses while driving a play car
Toddler sitting in a wagon with two bowls of strawberries wearing a red Muskoka Bear Wear cap
What are you and your family’s favourite things to do outdoors?

My family has a seasonal trailer in Marmora, ON. We love to spend our days at the beach, and our nights around the campfire cozy in our Muskoka Bear Wear gear.

Photo of a dad and son walking in the winter forest. Dad is wearing a black muskoka bear wear hoodie
Where are some of your favourite spots to visit up north?

The kids and I love to visit my friend’s family cottage in Bracebridge, and now in Gravenhurst. The kids especially enjoy going to Santa’s Village!

What is your favourite Muskoka Bear wear item?

It is so hard to pick our favourite item, but it has to be the cozy hoodies, as everyone in the family has 3 or more, including my husband. The boys love their Cottage Comfy Pants, and Alaina loves her Paw Shorts as well.

What is your favourite photo of you or your famjam in Muskoka Bear Wear?

My favourite photo of my family in MBW is the one where we all ended up in sweaters at school one day, not even planned!

My Muskoka Story – Jess Fraser

My Muskoka Story – Jess Fraser

Hello! My name is Jess, I am an avid line dancer, aspiring artist, nature lover and adventure seeker. I was born in the busy city but raised up north, so it’s safe to say my roots have grown deep within Muskoka!

Where are some of your favourite places to visit in Muskoka?

Our gorgeous provincial parks have always been my favourite places to visit in Muskoka. I love visiting the small towns as well but there is no better place than when I’m out discovering what the surrounding landscapes have to offer.

Canadian Woman standing in front of Banff mountains and lake wearing a black MBW quarter-zip sweater and white jeans

“There are many things to do while outdoors, but what really makes me happy, relaxed and truly feel grounded is when I’m out camping, kayaking and hiking. There’s something therapeutic about breathing in fresh northern air and getting lost in nature.”

Canadian man and woman sitting on a dock wearing Muskoka Bear Wear posing with their dog
Canadian Couple sitting on rock in front of a waterfall wearing a Muskoka Bear Wear quarter zip sweaters

You like to travel a lot – where is the furthest place you’ve been in your Muskoka Bear Wear?

I’ve taken Bear Wear with me from the great Canadian Rockies to the vast Everglades of Florida. I once even wore my classic black quarter-zip while taking a photo with the one and only, Johnny Cash, in Nashville Tennessee. I want to be comfortable when I travel, that’s why Bear Wear always travels with me.

Canadian woman sitting on a rock wearing jeans and a red quarter zip sweater from Muskoka Bear wear. She is sitting in front of a lake with trees and mountain in the background
Canadian girl wearing a heather grey quarter zip Muskoka Bear Wear sweater listening to something with headphones

What’s on your adventure bucket list?

My future adventure bucket list would include the exploration of Iceland, Italy and Australia. A closer destination that I hope to cross off the list sooner would be Yellowstone National Park. I would love to wake up early in the morning, throw on my favourite Muskoka Bear Wear sweater and venture out on a tour to witness a pack of wolves run across the plains of Lumar Valley.

Selfie of a Canadian woman wearing a red quarter zip sweater from Muskoka Bear Wear
My Muskoka Story – Jana

My Muskoka Story – Jana

Hi, I’m Jana Neps.

I’ve been a Registered Optician for the last 13 years. When I’m not working, you can find me on the trails photographing the local scenery & chasing our busy two year old son around the forest!

Canadian Woman taking a selfie in the snow while wearing a Muskoak Bear Wear toque

“I love being outdoors so Muskoka is obviously an ideal place to call home. Having access to & being surrounded by so many great parks, trails, conservation areas, forests, wildlife & lakes is one of my favourite things about Muskoka & something I never take for granted!”

Muskoka Bear Wear coffee cup beside the fire
Toddler wearing a Muskoka Bear Wear hoody and some sunglasses while driving a play car
Toddler sitting in a wagon with two bowls of strawberries wearing a red Muskoka Bear Wear cap

What are you and your family’s favourite things to do outdoors?

My family & I enjoy many outdoor activities such as hiking & canoeing. This year we decided to add a hockey rink to our backyard which made for a lot of great skates & family fun!

Photo of a dad and son walking in the winter forest. Dad is wearing a black muskoka bear wear hoodie

How did you first discover Muskoka Bear Wear?

I first discovered Muskoka Bear Wear at a ‘Midnight Madness’ event in downtown Bracebridge many years ago where I purchased my first hoody & I’ve been loving all things Bear Wear ever since!

What’s your favourite Muskoka Bear Wear item?

I’d have to say my most favourite & most worn item(s) are my quarter zips! They’re cute, cozy & I love the colours! Also, Bear Wear toques are the best!

My Muskoka Story – Kresson Taylor

My Muskoka Story – Kresson Taylor

Hi there! My name is Kresson and I’ve lived in Muskoka all my life. I love hiking, being outside, and exploring the world around me!

What are 3 outdoor adventure essentials you can’t leave the house without?

The three outdoor items I never leave the house without are my backpack (filled with some snacks, a full water bottle, and a change of socks!) a comfy MBW sweater, and something for navigating because I have no sense of direction!

Canadian Influencer Kresson wearing a Soft Violet Quarter Zip and matching Soft Violet MBW Camp Pants (sweatpants) is leaning against a tree outside and smiling.
Canadian man and woman sitting on a dock wearing Muskoka Bear Wear posing with their dog
Canadian woman looking off to the side, standing in a forest, wearing a knit toque and Muskoka Bear Wear Ladies Quarter Zip

What do you love most about Muskoka?

It’s so hard to pin down what I love most about Muskoka, but I’d have to say it’s the fact that each season has something new to offer! The fall here is incredible, summer on the lake is unmatched, spring is beautiful, and winter is magical! There’s something for every outdoorsman!

“My favourite spots in Muskoka to explore are probably High Falls, Huckleberry and Arrowhead! There are so many, though, so it’s hard to narrow it down!”

Canadian Woman standing on rock near frozen lake with hands and one leg in the air.
Canadian Influencer Kresson

What is your favourite Muskoka Bear Wear item?

My favourite Muskoka Bear Wear item is the Ladies Quarter Zip! You can never have enough of them! 🙂

Canadian woman standing in winter forest in a knit toque and Muskoka Bear Wear Ladies Quarter Zip Sweater