1. Snowshoeing & Winter Hiking
When the County transforms into a snowy playground, it becomes the perfect time to get outside and explore. Whether you prefer winter hiking, snowshoeing through quiet forests, or gliding along on cross-country skis, PEC offers plenty of ways to enjoy the season’s crisp air and serene landscapes. From easy routes ideal for beginners to longer trails made for a full winter workout, there’s no shortage of scenic options to choose from.
- Millennium Trail – Various routes and entry points from Carrying Place to Picton
- Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area – Over 10 km of trails ranging in level of difficulty
- Trails at the Sandbanks Provincial Park:
- Woodlands Trail – 6.0 km
- Outlet Trail – 6.0 km
- Lake Shore Trail – 2.6 km
- The Dunes Trail – 2.0 km
- Woodlands Trail – 6.0 km
But if you’re looking to take your winter outing beyond the usual local trails, a few wineries offer the chance to snowshoe or hike through their vineyards…
Trails & Tasting: Vineyard Snowshoe Experiences
There’s something magical about a vineyard in winter, and Three Dog Winery manages to capture that feeling perfectly. Their annual Snowshoe and Wine Tasting Tours take you across their 100-acre vineyard and forest trails, finishing at a warm, rustic sugar shack where wine, a bonfire, and a light lunch are waiting for you.
Tours are roughly 1.5 hours in length, and run every Saturday starting January 17 until February 28.
Visit their events page for the full schedule.
Sugarbush Vineyards offers a charming 2.5 km snowshoe trail that winds through their vineyard and maple-filled sugar bush. Open on weekends (weather permitting), the route gives you a peaceful look at the landscape in its quiet winter state before bringing you back to the tasting room to warm up with a cozy wine tasting and a delicious cheese plate.
Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date.
2. Winter Wine Tasting
Winter wine tasting in PEC is cozy, intimate, and slow in all the best ways. Think inviting tasting rooms, crackling firepits, seasonal pairings, and the best part… less crowds. It’s a time when winemakers aren’t rushing between summer visitors and tasting rooms aren’t jam-packed, which often means richer conversations and a more relaxed pace.
Booking in advance is always a good idea in winter, as many wineries operate with smaller teams or limited seating, and planning ahead helps ensure the experience you want. It’s also worth double-checking hours before you go — off-season schedules can vary, with some wineries only open on weekends. And since not every spot is open daily, consider a tour that mixes wineries with cideries and breweries to enjoy an even fuller taste of The County’s craft beverage scene!
It’s the perfect season to indulge in robust reds, dessert wines, and unique local bottles. Support local, sip great wine, and experience PEC at its coziest. Ready to plan your winter outing? Sandbanks Tours & Experiences (that’s us!) is open daily, year-round, with curated routes that highlight the wineries, cideries, and breweries that keep their doors open through the winter months.
Explore our full range of tour offerings to find the perfect fit for your visit. Book your winter tour with Sandbanks!
3. Art Gallery Hop
Winter is an incredible time to dive into Prince Edward County’s vibrant arts scene. With hundreds of local artists working in mediums like contemporary painting, ceramics, textiles, sculpture, woodwork, and photography, The County is truly an arts destination year-round. But in winter, the experience feels even more special: quieter galleries, slower-paced browsing, and more opportunities to chat directly with the artists and curators behind the work.
Make a relaxed day of it by exploring galleries and studios in Picton, Wellington, and Bloomfield, each offering its own creative flavour. With more than 10 galleries to wander through across The County, it’s the perfect slow and beautiful winter activity, especially when paired with a warm drink or a lunch stop along the way!
A few galleries and studios to visit:
Picton:
Arts On Main Gallery
Mad Dog Gallery
Melt Studio & Gallery
County Creative
Bloomfield:
Oeno Gallery
Rhonda Nolan ART
ANDARA Gallery
Wellington:
Sybil Frank Gallery
Renne Hiltz Studio
Tom Ashbourne Studio & Gallery
Useful links to start planning and to learn more about Prince Edward County’s art scene:
4. Cozy Dining in The County
Prince Edward County is known for its culinary scene — and winter might just be the best time to enjoy it. With fewer crowds and warm, intimate spaces, restaurants feel extra inviting this time of year. Expect global cuisine crafted with fresh local ingredients, seasonal comfort dishes, and the kind of friendly hospitality and relaxed ambience that makes winter meals in The County feel truly special.
Coming off the heels of fall Countylicious, many restaurants continue to highlight hearty, creative, and seasonal menus that celebrate PEC’s farms and producers. From farm-to-table dining and internationally inspired menus to wineries offering full-service restaurant experiences, The County’s food scene shines in every style and flavour.
Whether you’re discovering a new favourite or returning to a beloved spot, winter is the perfect time to treat yourself and savour the best of PEC.
For a more curated take on where to eat, check out our recent post: A Culinary Passport to Prince Edward County: 10 Must-Try Restaurants (2025) on the Sandbanks Tours blog.
5. Spa & Wellness Days
If your ideal winter getaway leans more toward rest and recharge, Prince Edward County has you covered with soothing, slow-paced wellness experiences perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring. Whether you’re looking to melt into a massage, stretch into stillness, or warm up in a Scandinavian-inspired setting, The County offers a mix of relaxation and mindful movement to help you reset.
Treat yourself to full-service spas offering organic treatments, facials, and restorative body therapies. Move gently with yoga classes at Serendipity Yoga, or build strength and alignment with Reformer Pilates at The Studio on Picton Main Street. And for a truly indulgent winter moment, sink into the Nordic spa-inspired thermal experiences at Wander The Resort — a favourite for anyone craving heat therapy and deep relaxation.
From restorative treatments to calming classes, PEC makes it easy to round out your winter retreat with a little (or a lot of) wellness.
Plan Your Winter in The County
Winter in PEC has a charm that’s completely its own. With fewer crowds, you’ll enjoy more peaceful, intimate experiences everywhere you go. The landscape transforms into something magical — snow-covered dunes, quiet forest trails, and frosty lakeshore views — offering the perfect blend of outdoor adventure and cozy indoor comfort. It’s quieter, it’s slower, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
Whether you’re wine tasting by a fire, trekking snowy trails, indulging in local dining, relaxing at a spa, or discovering The County’s thriving arts scene, winter in Prince Edward County is full of moments that stay with you. It’s a season of calm, connection, and simple pleasures — and one of the best times to experience The County like a local.
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