Outddoor activities in winter

As a newcomer to Canada, you've likely heard about the long and frigid Canadian winters. The cold, dark weather can lead to feelings of depression and homesickness, often exacerbated by staying indoors and being inactive. However, rather than hibernating at home, you can combat the winter blues by engaging inoutdoor activities, which can help replenish your vitamin D levels and improve your emotional and physical well-being.

Enjoy Skiing and Snowboarding

Canada is fortunate to have some of the world’s premier destinations for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Beyond its breathtaking snow-covered mountains, visitors can explore renowned ski resorts that offer top-notch accommodations and amenities to complement outdoor excitement. Canada boasts exceptional ski resorts, spanning from Whistler Blackcomb to Mont Tremblant, allowing you to experience downhill skiing from coast to coast!

For the ultimate skiing and snowboarding adventure, head to Alberta and British Columbia on the west coast of Canada. Popular destinations include Whistler Blackcomb, Revelstoke, Sun Peaks, and Big White in British Columbia. In Alberta, Lake Louise in Banff National Park is the go-to ski resort, complemented by other excellent options like Sunshine Village and Marmot Basin. In Eastern Canada, Quebec is the preferred destination, featuring favorites such as Mont-Tremblant, Mont Saint Anne, and Le Massif. Ontario also has its gem in Blue Mountain, making it a fantastic weekend getaway spot.

Try SkiJoring

Cross-country skiing is widely embraced in Canada, with options available across the country, often provided by ski resorts. If downhill skiing isn’t your preference, consider giving cross-country skiing a shot – it’s a fun activity suitable for the whole family. For a truly distinctive Canadian winter experience, try skijoring, which combines skiing with dog sledding. We personally enjoyed skijoring just outside Canmore, Alberta, and it was an unforgettable adventure.

Witness the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, presents a mesmerizing natural light display in the nighttime sky. This enchanting phenomenon is observable exclusively in the Northern Hemisphere. The indigenous Cree People referred to the Auroras as “The Dance of the Spirits.” Gazing at the captivating Aurora Borealis in Canada during the winter months costs nothing, and there are numerous locations to witness this celestial dance.

For the best chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis, head to Yellowknife, Goose Bay in Labrador, the Hudson Bay shores in Manitoba, and the prairie provinces of Canada. Exceptional displays can also be spotted in Alberta, around Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, where we had the opportunity to watch the auroras each night while searching for polar bears with Churchill Wild.

Ice Skate on the Rideau Canal

Ice skating on the Rideau Canal stands as one of the most iconic winter activities in Canada. Typically, the skating season on this UNESCO World Heritage Site kicks off during Winterlude, Ottawa’s winter carnival. You can rent skates and glide on the world’s largest skating rink, which stretches for miles and features warming stations where you can savor frozen maple syrup and beavertails. Along the Rideau Canal that winds through Ottawa, there are plenty of entertaining adventures to enjoy.

Attend a Winterlude

Speaking of Winterlude, Canada hosts a variety of winter carnivals that are worth attending. As the days grow shorter and colder, Canadians relish outdoor celebrations complete with dazzling lights, ice sculptures, and winter activities. Throughout the winter season, you’ll discover winter carnivals in every province, with Winterlude in Ottawa being a personal favorite.

Embrace Winter Carnivals

We’ve attended Winterlude several times and taken full advantage of the winter fun, including snow tubing, visiting the ice bar at Andaz, exploring the winter zipline network in Gatineau, and admiring all the ice formations and ice sculptures. Another exciting winter ziplining opportunity can be found at Marble Mountain Ski Resort in Newfoundland and Labrador (a destination on our to-do list).

Carnivale Quebec City

We’ve attended Winterlude several times and taken full advantage of the winter fun, including snow tubing, visiting the ice bar at Andaz, exploring the winter zipline network in Gatineau, and admiring all the ice formations and ice sculptures. Another exciting winter ziplining opportunity can be found at Marble Mountain Ski Resort in Newfoundland and Labrador (a destination on our to-do list).

Ice Wine Festival

A unique Canadian winter festival is the Ice Wine Festival in Niagara Falls. This event invites you to savor the delicious ice wines of the Niagara Region, with wineries in Niagara-on-the-Lake opening their doors for tastings of this dessert wine made from frozen grapes. The festival also showcases ice sculptures and a winter atmosphere, offering activities such as snowshoeing and ice tasting at the ice bar. If you’re seeking distinctive winter experiences in Canada, the Ice Wine Festival is an excellent choice.

Frozen Niagara Falls

Canada boasts stunning waterfalls that become even more enchanting when frozen. While frozen waterfalls can be found throughout the country during winter, one of the most iconic sights is frozen Niagara Falls. Witnessing the colossal frozen horseshoe falls is an extraordinary and uniquely Canadian experience.

Explore Frozen Waterfalls

Even in winter, Canadian towns remain vibrant, especially when the temperature drops, transforming cascades into spectacular frozen wonders. As the landscape becomes adorned with frozen cascades, winter provides an opportunity to explore these natural wonders. Romantic getaways and adventures abound in the midst of frozen waterfalls across Canada.

Experience Dog Sledding Tours

Dog sledding is a legendary Canadian winter adventure, available in all thirteen Canadian provinces and territories, with the season’s timing dependent on regional climate variations. From the Canadian Rockies in Alberta to Northern Ontario, there are numerous places to embark on exhilarating dog sledding adventures. Notable dog sledding destinations in Canada include Haliburton, Ontario (north of Toronto) with Winterdance Dogsledding; the Great Divide between Alberta and British Columbia with SimRik Dogsledding; and the Laurentians of Quebec, featuring options from Mont Tremblant to St. Sauveur. Dog sledding offers a thrilling way to explore the Canadian wilderness.

Try Ice Climbing

Ice climbing is gaining popularity among winter thrill-seekers in Canada. It’s a physically demanding and exhilarating activity that involves scaling frozen waterfalls and towering ice formations. Some of the best ice climbing destinations in Canada include Canmore, Alberta, known for world-class ice climbing experiences with companies like Yamnuska Outdoors, and Quebec, where Parc de la Chute- Montmorency and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie are popular choices. The Rocky Mountains’ Ghost River Valley, Bow Valley, Stanley Headwall, and Icefields Parkway also attract ice climbers from around the world, offering glittering ice in picturesque settings.

Go Snowmobiling

For those who prefer not to ski, snowmobiling provides an exciting alternative. Canada offers numerous trails for snowmobiling, spanning from Newfoundland to Vancouver. The country has gone the extra mile by constructing the Trans Canada Trail, a 21,500-kilometer-long trail connecting different parts of the nation. Quebec, in particular, offers an incredible snowmobiling route starting in Quebec City and extending north to Hudson Bay. We’ve explored snowmobiling trails in Haliburton, Ontario, and the backcountry of Whistler, BC, among other places.

Explore Canyoning

Canada offers various ways to enjoy snow and ice, especially in the regions of Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper National Park in Alberta. Winter transforms these resort towns into enchanting ice-covered wonderlands. Climb the g listening canyon walls, embark on ice walks to explore ice caves, and marvel at the frozen waterfalls that become accessible during the winter. Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park, Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park, and Grotto Canyon in Canmore are some of our favorite places for ice walks in Canada. Additionally, the Ice Caves of Lake Superior can become truly spectacular under the right winter conditions.

Try Ice Fishing

As temperatures drop, fishing action heats up across Canada. Ice fishing offers a unique angling experience for both locals and visitors. The process involves stepping onto a frozen lake, drilling a hole in the icy water, inserting a fishing line, and waiting in anticipation. While most Canadians opt for warm fishing huts, we ventured into Northern Ontario for ice fishing during a winter expedition. Ice fishing opportunities abound in Canada, from Lake Simcoe (located 60 miles north of Toronto) to Tobin Lake in Manitoba and Renforth in New Brunswick. British Columbia and Quebec also offer excellent ice fishing locations.

Enjoy Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a beloved winter activity in Canada, as it’s easy to learn and affordable. Plan a hike in a winter forest, snowshoe across frozen lakes, or ascend mountain slopes. Snowshoeing provides both a delightful experience and an effective workout. Renowned snowshoeing destinations include Callaghan County in Whistler, the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, and the parks of Northern Ontario. Snowshoeing is an accessible winter activity that anyone can enjoy with a pair of snowshoes and a trail to explore.

Experience Pond Hockey

By late December, many lakes and ponds across Canada freeze, creating opportunities for ice skating on public rinks and frozen ponds in nearly all Canadian cities. Whether you’re gracefully gliding on the ice or engaging in a spirited game of ice hockey, skating on a frozen lake is a cost-free and enjoyable winter pastime.

Join the World Pond Hockey Championships

Canadians have a deep love for ice hockey, culminating in the World Pond Hockey Championship held in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick. This unique tournament draws 100 teams from around the world to the East Coast, and don’t be shy about joining a pond hockey game – Canadians are friendly and eager to include newcomers in the fun!

Discover More Ice Skating Spots in Canada

Aside from the Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada offers countless ice trails and skating rinks. Winnipeg boasts the world’s longest ice skating rink on the Assiniboine River. If you’re keen on playing pond hockey in an iconic setting, Lake Louise is one of the most picturesque outdoor skating rinks, surrounded by the stunning Canadian Rockies.

Enjoy Sleigh Rides

One of the most romantically charming outdoor winter activities in Canada is taking a sleigh ride. We’ve enjoyed sleigh rides from east to west across the country, each offering a magical experience. With hot chocolate in hand, a cozy blanket on your lap, and breathtaking northern scenery, winter sleigh rides are among the most romantic things to do in the Canadian winter. Sleigh rides can be experienced around Lake Louise in Banff National Park, from the Fairmont in Whistler, British Columbia, in Mont Tremblant, Quebec, and in Muskoka, Ontario, among other enchanting locations.

Relax in Hot Springs

After a day of winter adventures, warm up and unwind in hot springs. Canadians love soaking in outdoor hot tubs, especially when surrounded by falling snowflakes and rising steam. Some of our favorite hot springs in Canada include the Banff Hot Springs in Alberta, Harrison Hot Springs in British Columbia, and Takhini Hot Pools in the Yukon.

Escape to Backcountry Lodges

Get away from it all by staying at a backcountry lodge. Whether you’re dogsledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling, backcountry lodges offer unique experiences throughout Canada. Some noteworthy places include Winterdance in Haliburton, Ontario, where you can explore the Canadian wilderness on horseback, or Sundance Lodge in Banff, Alberta, for a truly off-the-grid retreat. Backcountry lodges can be found across Canada, offering opportunities to sit by a roaring fire, sip mulled wine, and listen to captivating stories from local tour operators. Canada offers an array of exceptional winter activities, from coast to coast. If you’re seeking a distinctive vacation destination during the winter months, consider exploring Canada’s diverse and captivating winter landscape. It’s a journey you’ll cherish forever.

Start your adventure today!

Complete our online registration to be evaluated and we will provide our assessment within 2-3 business days.

FAQ

Programs

Organizing for Canada

About Canada

Copyright Trustvisa.org © 2025 All Rights Reserved