Kelvin Jervis, who owns a cottage on Lake Huron that he uses and rents year-round, shares his view on winter cottaging, “What I like the most about winter at the cottage is that being there in the winter can be such a different experience than summer. Snow storms coming off the lake are quite something to see when you have a fire going and hot cider made. If there are high winds the snow can be driven past the windows horizontally and not falling as you would see at home. There are days when there is no wind, no waves, no birds, total silence. You know how it can be so quiet your ears almost hurt? It is so very, very different than summer.”
My Cottage Isn’t Equipped for Winter
What if you'd love to try winter cottaging but your cabin is not liveable in the winter? What can you do? How about trading some time in your cottage during warmer months with a neighbour or friend who has a year-round cottage? Or you can rent one at a cheaper rate than what cottages go for in the summer.
If your cottage isn’t insulated for winter but you want to spend some time in it during cold months, you should be able to do so with a little work. Consider heating only one main room in the cottage and close the other areas off. Close doors to the area and use thick blankets or wood to seal off other corridors. Insulate the windows with shrink-wrap. If you have a fireplace, keep lots of wood handy, storing it indoors to keep it dry. Use an indoor heater and electric blankets if you have power. If you don’t have an outhouse, think about purchasing a portable toilet. As a bonus, it will be handy to have around if you have problems with your plumbing in the future.
Necessary Gear
You will need additional gear for winter cottaging. Besides a snow shovel, you might want to take along an ice chopper in the event you are frozen out. If you won’t be able to drive close enough to your cottage to easily access it, consider taking along a sled to transport your supplies from your vehicle to the cottage. Lots of matches as well as a first aid kit are also imperative. Take plenty of extra clothes, blankets, water, and non-perishable food items.
Winter Maintenance Issues
It is a good idea to keep the snow load on your cottage’s roof minimal as the weight of snow and ice can cause severe damage. One metre of snow on a 6 metre by 9 metre roof is the same as having five full-grown elephants on the top of your cabin. The sheer weight of snow can cause structural damage or cause the roof to cave in. Also, interior heat can melt the snow on roofs which can lead to ice build-up and cause water leaks.
To ease your summer workload, take advantage of this time to do some repairs. Fix or replace faucets. Weatherproof the windows. Restock your firewood supply. Hang those blinds or shutters you’ve been meaning to get to. Consider doing some decorating; sew those curtains you’ve been putting off or finish cross-stitching that wall hanging for the kitchen. Organize your linen closet or clean out the drawer full of odds and ends. Take a good look around to see what needs to be done.
Outdoor Activities
Winter offers countless outdoor activities to keep you busy at the cottage.
- Build a snowman – Using sticks or other materials for decoration, build a huge snowman using three rolled snowballs of different sizes.
- Build a snow tunnel – Debbie Carriere, whose family owns a cottage near St. Laurent, Manitoba, shared her family’s enjoyment of winter. “While there is little snow in the city, there is sometimes six foot high snow banks at the lakefront. The big activity has always been to dig snow houses and tunnels in those banks.”
- Snowball fights – You can have a chaotic yet exhilarating battle in the snow or organize a fight with teams and rules and score keeping.
- Skiing and snowmobiling – Hopping on a snowmobile to explore the countryside or slipping on a pair of cross-country skis is a favourite pastime of cottagers.
- Snowshoeing – If you’ve never tried snowshoeing before, you will be surprised how easy it is to learn and how fast you will travel over snowy ground.
- Ice fishing – This winter pastime is a favourite of many. Ensure the ice conditions are safe before heading out and dress warmly in layers. Wear proper footwear. Contact your local bait shop, ice-hut operator, or local fishermen for more information. Bonus: Many ice fishers claim fish fresh from frigid waters taste much better than those from murky, warm summer water.
- Bonfires – If your cottage area has no open fire restrictions, why not start a bonfire? Nothing compares to a leisurely evening spent around the fire wrapped in a blanket, sipping a mug of hot chocolate, and roasting marshmallows for S’mores. Just be sure to cover the entire fire area well with snow before heading back indoors.
- Target shooting – Do you have an air rifle, BB gun, bow & arrow, or a sling shot you could take to the cottage? If so, set up targets and practice your aim. Some people are opposed to target shooting due to the damage it causes the environment. Consider using cans set up in an open area to reduce the damage to the surroundings caused by pellets, arrows, or rocks.
Enjoy Snow-Covered Cottaging
Kelvin Jervis sums winter cottaging up best. “It is a fun thing to do, to be there (at the cottage) in the winter. Like sailing at night compared to day…a whole different experience.”
Sources:
- A Trailside Series Guide: Winter Adventure by Peter Stark and Steven M. Krauzer
- The Kids Winter Cottage Book and The Kids Cottage Games Book by Jane Drake and Ann Love
- Cottage Life magazine
- Cottage Country
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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