Winter

Experience the relaxed pace of life on Stoney Lake from a lakeside spa suite or cottage that features a grand panorama of serene beauty beyond your windows.

Curl up in front of the fire with a book or movie, relax under the stars in your private hot tub, as snow gently falls around you, or take a walk through our beautiful snow laden trails, and country lanes. Take advantage of our winter resort facilities and activities.

We maintain a natural rink on the lake for casual skating or a pick-up game of hockey and cross-country skiing venues are right at your doorstep. After a horse-drawn sleigh ride, cross country skiing and skating, relax and then experience exceptional dining by a crackling fire in our cozy dining room, overlooking a peaceful, frozen landscape. Midweek, order dinner for two and have it delivered to your room. There is nothing more restorative than a getaway at the Inn when the snow is on the ground. It’s magical!

From New Year’s celebrations to peaceful romantic getaways or a family weekend outing, we have a winter getaway package to suit. Discover one that is perfect for you on our Packages Page.

Experience winter at the lake! Lighten your spirit, with fabulous views of a sparkling, snow-laden landscape with an ice frosted lake. Settle into an elegant lakeside suite with fireplace, and whirlpool or hot tub, or pool. Take pleasure in the ambiance of a crackling fire, fine candlelit dining, and starlit sky. Our natural setting is truly inspirational: go skiing, skating, walk to visit the horses, or simply relax with a good book. The choice is yours!

Three generations of the Irwin family make this Ontario resort famous for its tradition of friendliness and service. On 200 acres along Stoney Lake in the Kawarthas, The Irwin Inn offers fine lakeside dining and accommodation in the winter and year-round.

The Irwin Inn is an ideal family resort destination and perfect winter resort for couples getaways. Accommodations range from classic fireplace and whirlpool suites to luxurious lakeside cottages and lakeside suites with private swimming pools or hot tubs.

"Every once in a while you come across a place where the service is extraordinary, the food is delicious, and the staff are warm & welcoming. Once you find this place you want to return again and again."

In a spectacular setting, nestled on Stoney Lake’s shore, The Irwin Inn offers luxury at the lake. A year round, full service resort, The Irwin Inn is known for its unparalleled lake views, inspired dining, luxury suites and cottages with fireplaces, whirlpools, private hot tubs or pools, and the Irwin family’s hospitality, now over 60 years strong. Explore the snow-laden countryside, our equestrian centre and groomed nature trails; enjoy the benefits of massage or simply relax by a crackling fire. It’s up to you. From classic suites to luxury cottages, accommodations are ideal for discerning couples and families. Couples find the Irwin Inn an ideal lakeside resort setting to rest and rejuvenate, or be active, participating in many recreational activities, sightseeing, shopping, and cultural venues. Enjoy an extensive range of activities for a dynamic resort experience, or simply relax for a peaceful, personal experience, just 90 minutes from Toronto.

Home Away From Home Country Christmas
Celebrate the holiday in deluxe Self Catering cottages and suites, with fireplaces, whirlpools or hot tubs, or pools. A festive garland graces the fireplace. Bring a few of your own treasured decorations, and experience a white Christmas at the lake! Fun for everyone includes cross-country skiing, skating, sleigh ride, nature walks to visit the horses. The Irwin Family welcomes you with a gift of Christmas shortbread, hot chocolate and cider. New Years
Out with the old and in with the New Year! Celebrate the arrival of the New Year in gracious style at the lake! Winter fun includes skating, x country skiing, sleigh ride, and nature walks to visit the horses. Two and three night packages include deluxe accommodation in suites with fireplaces, whirlpools or hot tubs, or pools. You receive a welcome basket of fruit and truffles, and a full country breakfast and splendid dinner each day. New Year’s Eve, jazz musician Jonah Cristall-Clarke and group, add to the ambiance of a candle lit dining room, a champagne and canapÈ reception, followed by a creative six course gourmet dinner.

Winter Dining
We make every meal at the Irwin Inn an occasion to celebrate. Our lakeside dining room with a panoramic view of Stoney Lake is a fitting venue for memorable winter meals with family and friends. Our winter menu is carefully prepared to bring you a variety of the best of fresh country inn fare, together with the service and excellence you expect from a fine dining establishment. A full wine list, accommodating staff and the spectacular Stoney Lake view, set the stage for a winter fine dining experience.

The Irwin Inn operates on a Modified American Plan, which provides for breakfast and dinner daily. Lunch can be purchased as a picnic lunch year round,

"We had an amazing time. The facilities were awesome _ very clean and had everything we could want: fireplace, lighting, whirlpool. I cannot say enough about the chef _ absolutely fabulous."

Hauntingly beautiful, prestigious Stoney Lake is natural, rugged beauty to perfection. Perched on the south shore, The Irwin Inn offers an escape from life’s pressures, a place to unwind, in any season. Experience the country ambience of a crackling fire, starlit sky, outstanding lake views from a luxury suite or cottage with fireplace, and whirlpool, private hot tub or pool, Housed in the main inn is the warm and inviting dining room where a gorgeous, panoramic lake view complements appealing, culinary creations. Explore nature trails, visit our horses, enjoy a massage, or simply relax. It’s up to you. Enjoy an extensive range of activities for a dynamic resort experience, or simply relax for a peaceful, personal experience, just 90 minutes from Toronto.

In February “Snuggle in” for a weekend! A crackling fire, roses, fine wine, velvety chocolate and candlelight dining, reflect the decadence of this romantic month. Celebrate love and affection with 2 nights in a fireplace suite or cottage with whirlpool or private hot tub or pool, a rose, fruit & truffles, 2 gourmet 5 course dinners, 2 country breakfasts, skating, x-country skiing, sleigh ride (Saturday) and (45 minutes) complimentary use of a snowmobile.

For a Romantic Getaway in the winter and any time of the Year A crackling fire, fine wine, candlelight dining and beautiful sunsets, are delightful to the senses of romantics. Experience this “Sensory Delight” getaway at the lake. Fireplace suites and cottages, with whirlpool or private hot tub or pool offer the perfect escape. Luscious truffles and fruit, wine, exotic teas and coffee are in your room to enjoy! 2 nights, 2 elegant dinners, 2 complete breakfasts, and use of most seasonal recreational activities are always included.

Families have been spending their resort holidays at the Irwin Inn for 3 generations. They come back because everyone in the family has a great time. Adults get to act like kids at the resort and forget their day-to-day responsibilities. Sumptuous meals magically appear without you having to prepare anything. Our staff tends to your room daily just the way you like it.

"Your pride, displayed largely by your attention to detail, doesn't go unnoticed. We've always been impressed by your quality meals and by your staff's obvious desire to please."

Family Day means doing things together and at The Irwin Inn & Resort we have lots of activities for the whole family. Dining is a special treat for Mom & Dad, and a special Children's menu will please the kids. After dinner "kickback" in your suite or cottage. Listen to the snapping sound of a roaring fire in your fireplace. Watch movies, play games, etc. There will be lots to keep the whole family entertained. Your 3 Night Deluxe Package includes: *Full country breakfast each morning *Sumptuous dinners daily for the whole family *Hot chocolate and cookies *Popcorn, movies/games, books *Use of x-country ski equipment *Use of natural skating rink *Horse drawn sleigh ride.

Take a Break in March! Lighten your spirit, with fabulous views of a sparkling, snow-laden landscape with an ice frosted lake. Settle into a luxury suite or deluxe cottage with stone fireplace, and whirlpool, private hot tub, or private pool. Take pleasure in gourmet dining, fine wines, the ambiance of a crackling fire and starlit sky. Our natural setting is truly inspirational. Glide through our forest trails on skis, skate on the frozen lake, visit the horses at the barn, or simply relax, watch a movie, read a book, or have a massage. 2-night package includes 2 elegant dinners, 2 complete breakfasts, and seasonal recreational activities. Luscious truffles, fruit, exotic teas, coffee, hot chocolate, homemade cookies & popcorn are complimentary and in your room to enjoy!

Experience the peace of life on Stoney Lake from a spa suite or cottage that features a grand panorama of the peace beyond your windows.

Curl up in front of the fire with a book or movie, relax under the stars in your spa as the northern lights dance above your head and snow gently falls around you, or take a walk down a country lane. We maintain a natural rink on the lake for casual skating or a pick-up game of hockey and cross-country skiing venues are right at your doorstep. After a horse-drawn ride in our cutter order dinner for two and have it delivered to your room. There is nothing more restorative that a quiet weekend at the Inn when the snow is on the ground.

Winter Group Getaway: From girl’s weekends, men’s weekends, , riding clinics, family reunions, artists creative clinics, to intimate wedding getaways, we can customize an event for your group. All two night packages include complete country breakfast, 5-course dinner, and use of seasonal recreational facilities.

To begin your vacation, browse the season selection of summer, fall, and winter. Spring. See the many seasonal facilities and related activities, seasonal getaways and packages, The Irwin Inn offers. After, select rooms & rates that are available at the Irwin Inn resort in Ontario, Canada.

Attractions in the Heart of the Kawarthas
The Irwin Inn is in the heart of the Kawartha Lakes district, an area famous for its dramatic and varied landscape. About 40 minutes north of Peterborough, the largest city in the region, the Inn enjoys a wonderfully scenic location on Stoney Lake and its 1100 islands. Peterborough, a city of about 75,000 has the amenities you would expect of a city of this size - restaurants, cinemas, a zoo, parks and theatres, however, the Canadian Canoe Museum, The Trent Severn Waterway, the Lift locks are attractions that should be on your 'must see' list. South of the Irwin Inn is Lang Pioneer Village which is a living exhibition showing what pioneer life was like in the area.

The Irwin Inn, A Family Tradition for over 60 Years

The Irwin Inn can look back on a history of Kawartha resort hospitality that spans 3 generations and over sixty years.

Ross and Norma Irwin stumbled into being innkeepers by accident. Asked to accommodate overflow guests from a neighbouring resort in 1947, they found the experience so enjoyable that, the following years, after an addition to their cottage, they began welcoming guests. Ross brought his talent as cook to the business, and many of his recipes are used to this day. He was also a compulsive builder, and, over the next 20 years, the resort expanded in every direction. By 1955 Ross and Norma could accommodate 30 guests and, with a dining room expansion in 1960, more than 75 could vacation at the Inn. The golf course was built in 1965.

By 1981, Dennis and Patti Irwin had taken over the Inn and embarked on a program of expansion and consolidation. They completed the acquisition of all the privately owned cottages near the Inn begun by Ross and Norma. Concentrating on the lakefront, they renovated existing cottages or built new ones to suit the more discerning tourists of the 80s and 90s. As well, they felt that groups or organizations would benefit from the Inn's unique site and consequently built a meeting room and upgraded facilities to attract these clients. The building program culminated in 2000 with the construction of a complex of lakeside spa suites. Sympathetic architecture and a prime waterfront location have made these suites the most sought after accommodation at the Inn.

Dennis and Patti have 3 sons all now working in some aspect of the business.

Jaimey and Tina Irwin operate Stoney Lake Equestrian. They specialize in training, showing, breeding, and selling of the finest dressage horses. Their clients are international and often stay at the Inn while observing the training of their horses.

Rob and Andrew Irwin have inherited a love of building and play in important part in keeping, what is now a complex operation, working.

The Irwins have always shared a respect for the environment of which they are stewards. Using deep lake cooling (long before the City of Toronto made it fashionable), they are able to supplement both their heating and cooling requirements.

Although the reasons people visit the Irwin Inn have changed over the years, some things have remained constant - the eternal beauty of Stoney Lake, the dedication of the Irwins to providing a truly memorable lakeside resort experience, and, finally, the belief that the things we cherish depend upon our will to preserve them.

Resort Facilities

Outdoor Pool Tennis Court Games Room Playground 9-hole Golf Course Sandy Beach Waterfront Accommodation 6.5km of Trails Children/Youth Rec Programs Volleyball Net Small Store Onsite Wireless Internet Access Shuffle Board Mountain Bikes Canoes Movie Rentals Kayaks Massage Therapy (RMT)
$75/hour in massage rm $85/hour in your rm
Horseback Riding Facilities
$40/hour trail ride $45/hour semi-private $55/hour private lesson $15 pony ride Motor Boat Rentals *starting at $75/day or $350/week

Resort Facilities and Activities

Resort Facilities

Massage Therapy (RMT)

Horseback Riding Facilities

Motor Boat Rentals

Seasonal Activities

Summer

Fall

Spring

Winter

Facilities and Activities Descriptions

Please also view our activities pages to view more details and photos regarding specific activities

Golfing
The Irwin Inn is ideal for family golf vacations in Ontario, Canada. In the 1950s we developed a par-3 golf course that is free for all guests. It provides a perfect introduction to a family golf experience and convenient on-site practice facility for the seasoned golfer. A special benefit of staying at The Irwin Inn is the opportunity to play on the world class private Wildfire Golf Club, 5 minutes away.

Horseback Riding
The Irwin Inn specializes in riding experiences for beginners to the very highest level of riding instruction. Delightful trail rides on our own Milestone Farm are available most months of the year. Although we offer lessons for riders at all levels, lessons for novice riders provide an ideal situation for experiencing the sport without the pressure of commitment and cost of structured programs.

Kayaking and Canoeing
Stoney Lake is famous for its 1100 islands and Precambrian rock shores. You can find many areas inhabited only by residents native to Stoney Lake for thousands of years. Loons call in the evening blue herons own the “still” of morning. Canoeing and kayaking on Stoney has been inspiring naturalists since the Ojibwa natives made birch bark canoes to travel and explore it’s shining waters.

Water Activities

Swimming in Stoney lake’s clear and clean water is a tonic for the soul for young and old alike. Skimming across the top on skis, boards or a tube is as exciting to do, as it is fun to watch. Sunset cruises are a perfect way to end a perfect day and our cruise to our own island for a family fish fry and barbeque is a vacation highlight! Our small outdoor pool is the perfect place to swim on a windy day. Most water activities are included at the Irwin Inn.

Fishing
Fishing vacations abound at the Irwin Inn on Stoney Lake in Ontario, Canada. The Kawartha Lakes, of which Stoney Lake is a member, is ranked in the top ten fishing destinations in Canada. For families on vacation with young fishing enthusiasts, endless hours can be spent fishing from the dock where pan fish abound. Few things are as exciting to a 4-year old as feeling a tug on the fishing rod for the first time.

Kids’ program
From the last week of June to Labour Day weekend, the Irwin Inn has an amazingly comprehensive recreation program. Our experienced counselors keep younger children busy and happy through scheduled activities during the day, and one activity in the evening. Scavenger hunts, arts & crafts, tubing, face painting, talent shows, bingo, hay and pony rides, campfires, nature crafts, visits to area attractions, and our featured weekly “fish fry” picnic on Irwin Island combine to make vacation memories for our younger guests.

Youth and Adult Programs
For young adults, parents, grandparents, and the young at heart, we offer more activities such as: movie nights, campfires, tubing, wakeboarding, parasailing, golf tournaments, corn roasts, sunset cruises, canoe and kayak trips, games night, as well as cultural, shopping, and fun trips to area attractions. Our recreation programs are one of the reasons that families come back to the Inn year after year. Often as families depart the parents are already getting pressure to book next year's vacation as soon as possible. We take great pride in providing exceptional summer experiences for youth and adults because, we believe, that's what summer is all about.

Sightseeing/Shopping
The Kawartha Lakes area offers countless opportunities for shopping, and sightseeing, From the latest in fashion, footwear, sporting gear, to farmers markets, fine art, crafts, and gorgeous hand crafted gifts, the entire Peterborough and Kawartha area has it all! Numerous interesting sights can be seen along the way. Planned shopping trips will make for an exciting off site excursion.

Arts & Culture
Peterborough and the entire surrounding area, has developed into a thriving arts and culture destination. In this land of shining water, art galleries, museums, historic sites, live theatre, unique outdoor theatre, concerts, and festivals abound, demonstrating the rich cultural mosaic of the Kawartha Lakes region. Plan your own itinerary, or come along on one of our scheduled outings for a sample of Kawartha culture

A Sample of Past Children’s and Youth Programs

Complimentary Movie Rentals
Our movie gallery is located in our store area. Our movies vary from old classic to new blockbuster hits. There is sure to be something for everybody. Sit back and relax in your accommodation while watching a movie!

Games Room
Our games room offers our guests an alternative to outdoor activities. In the games room we have a pool table, ping pong table, and dart board.

6.5 km of Trails
Our trails function in many ways depending on the season. Wound through our 200 acres of land they can be used to hike, bike, horseback ride, ski, or snowmobile. With beautiful scenery the trails offer views of deer and greenery, and can lead you to our barns where you can visit with the horses. Some trails are strictly for non-vehicular use ensuring a peaceful time for all!

Massage Therapy
Our two registered massage therapists, Martina Schnettler and Nicole Hurley, are sure to give you a deep soothing massage. Have a massage in the comfort of your own accommodation or in our massage room and feel your stress slip away.

Wireless Internet Access
Available in our office and lounging areas as well as in select accommodation.