The Ultimate Date Night at the Snowshoe Summit

Trade the crowded restaurants for a chairlift and swap your high heels for snowshoes. 

There is a certain kind of magic that happens when a ski resort goes quiet. The hum of the lifts fades, the crowds vanish, and the mountain belongs entirely to the stars.

Recently, my husband and I decided to skip the usual dinner-and-a-movie routine. Instead, I rounded up three of my best friends and their husbands for a "quadruple date night" that took us 238 metres above the valley floor. We joined the Snowshoe Summit Tour, a collaboration between Ottawa Valley Air Paddle and Calabogie Peaks Resort, and it was hands-down the most unique adventure we’ve had in years!

The Last Lift

Our evening began in the late afternoon at the Calabogie Adventure Centre. While the final skiers were making their last turns, our group was being fitted for snowshoes and poles.

At 4 PM, we boarded the Solar Quad for the "last lift" of the evening. Floating up Dickson Mountain was breathtaking. Even though the clouds hid the sunset from us that evening, the moody, winter atmosphere of the mountain was just as stunning. As we slowly ascended (they slow down the lifts if you don’t have skis on), a deep silence settled over the valley. It felt like we were being let in on a beautiful secret.

Fondue at the Summit

Upon reaching the peak, we weren’t trekking off into the dark just yet. Instead, we were welcomed into the summit cabin… a warm sanctuary transformed with rustic decor and twinkle lights by the crackling fire.
The cabin was a candlelit dream, filled with the sound of acoustic music and the scent of bubbling cheese. We settled in for a Swiss-style fondue experience curated by Canthooks Restaurant.

• The Spread: Rich, melted cheese with artisanal breads, cured meats, crispy veggies, fresh fruits, pickled onions and more! 
• The Wine: We were led through a curated local wine pairing. Our host shared the stories behind each label, making the experience feel sophisticated yet totally relaxed.

Sitting there with my husband and our best friends, wine in hand and the fire crackling, we all agreed: this was the definition of hygge.

Trekking the "Kick and Push"

Once we finished up our fondue dinner, it was time to start the descent. We strapped on our snowshoes, switched on our headlamps and headed into the moonlight.

We trekked down the Ole K&P, which is actually the longest green (beginner) ski run in Ontario.  If you’ve read about my previous trips, you know I have a soft spot for the old "Kick and Push" (K&P) Railway history, so this was a fun addition for me! 

The trek from the cabin to the base was fairly easy and took about 40 minutes to complete. There are a couple of steep parts along the way, but the snowshoes and poles provided by the team helped us keep our balance and feel totally secure. We were incredibly lucky that evening as it was a full moon, which added to the magic and lit the way so brightly that we could see the trail even without our headlamps!

As we snowshoed down the 2km trail, the Ottawa Valley Air Paddle guides paused to share stories of the historic railway, the ancient geological faults of the region, and the local wildlife.

Time for S’mores!

Once at the base, we took off our gear and headed into Black Donald’s Pub, roasting s’mores over an open fire and sipping on signature winter cocktails (the Hot Toddy was so tasty!). 

We’ve heard that you can also bring your skates for an evening glide on the Peaks’ skating pond, which is beautifully lit at night and included in your ticket price. If you want to make a full getaway out of it, you could even turn this into an overnight stay at Calabogie Peaks Resort and do some skiing in the morning!

Inclusive Adventure

One of the things I loved most about this experience is how inclusive it felt. While "trekking down a mountain" might sound intimidating, this tour is easier than it seems. 

You don’t need to be a seasoned athlete or in your early 20s to complete this trek. The pace is relaxed, the gear is top-notch, and because we descended via the longest beginner run on the mountain, it’s quite accessible to most fitness levels. 

Whether you are looking for a romantic, candlelit date night or a chill evening with your besties, you’ll make memories that you’ll cherish forever!