Top Things to Do in Canadian Winter

Top Things to Do in Canadian Winter

As an Indian student going to Canada for a degree, it is understandable if you are a little apprehensive about how the winter season will be in the city. If you have never faced snow, and you don’t have a particular affinity for cold weather then along with packing any and all warm clothes with you, you’re probably wondering how you are going to spend your weekends and holidays during the winter months. Lucky for you, there is something for everyone to do in winter in Canada.

1. See the Northern Lights

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights in movies, photos, and documentaries and wondered if they were real? Well, if you ever wished to witness them in real life, you can in Canada! This isn’t a digital projection or a laser show, it’s all natural. There are many places to view the Northern lights- – Nunavut, Yellowknife, or Yukon, and the appearance of the lights varies from September to April, depending on latitude.

It is also Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights are one of the most well-known natural phenomenons in the world, and they are most commonly seen in the winter months. Some of the best spots to view the Northern Lights in Canada include Yellowknife in the Northern Territories, which are home to an Aurora Village where you can camp, see fireworks and enjoy roasted marshmallows under the celestial spectacle.

2. Attend a Hockey Game (Anywhere in Canada)

Hockey is almost synonymous with Canada and despite growing up just across the border in Michigan. I’ve been a lifelong fan of the sport and always had my sights set on attending a game at one of the Canadian teams’ arenas.

When we were planning a winter trip to Ottawa, we specifically scheduled it around a game my beloved Red Wings would be playing against the hometown Senators. Even though it was a relatively meaningless regular season game as neither team was particularly good at the time, the atmosphere was fantastic.

We enjoyed some monster-sized servings of poutine for dinner and enjoyed rooting our team on. They lost, but it was still a great experience!

If you want to attend an NHL game in Canada (the best of the best), you’ll find franchises in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. Minor league franchises can be found in many more towns throughout the country.

Tickets to lower level leagues will also be cheaper, so if you’re looking to see a game on a budget just to have the experience, check out one of the smaller leagues.

3. Stay in the Quebec Ice Hotel

The Quebec Ice Hotel is spectacular to behold and is one of the most unique visitor experiences in the world. The cathedral-like hotel is carved entirely of ice, including the furniture and icy candelabras hanging from the 18-foot ceilings.

What's even more special about this unique attraction is that the Quebec Ice Hotel is rebuilt each year, opening its doors from January to the beginning of April. The walls are four feet thick and insulate the hotel to a crisp but comfortable 23 to 28 degrees Fahrenheit (-5 to -2 degrees Celsius). Visitors may choose to just pass through for a tour and a drink at the ice bar or settle in and stay overnight.

4. Winter Sports on Mount Seymour

Lindsay from Chiang Mai Family Guide: one of the best day trips from Vancouver in summer or winter is Mount Seymour. While summers on Mount Seymour are all about hiking, winter is equally if not more fun!

There are plenty of things to do on Mount Seymour in winter, such as tobogganing, snow tubing, skiing or snowboarding, snowshoeing and other fun (family) activities like building a snowman or making a snow angels.

You can easily travel to Mount Seymour from Vancouver by shuttle bus from the Rupert Skytrain Station or the Parkgate Community Centre in North Vancouver. The shuttle bus is seasonal and generally operates between Oct 1st and March 31st.

A day on Mount Seymour is guaranteed to offer lots of fun for all ages, so add this to your Canada winter travel list!

5. Whistler, B.C.

One of Canada’s most famous ski destinations and the location of several competitive events for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, Whistler is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. For the adventurous, it offers challenging slopes for skiers and snowboarders, winter zip-lining, and snowshoeing. Beyond plenty of four-star and five-star accommodations, Whistler boasts a vibrant arts and culture scene and award-winning restaurants with diverse dining options. This ever-popular resort town also features breathtaking views of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.

6. The Dazzling Niagara Falls

While the humongous falls are an absolute delight in summers, the frozen falls in Canada winter look equally bewitching. The sheer beauty of the frozen falls is difficult to express in the words. A spectacular dazzler is as close as you can come to describe the mystical falls in the winter. You can see the chilling mist rising above the falls looks so mystical. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Canada in winter.

Tourist Attractions: An ice-wine festival is organized every year in Niagara town which you ought to attend if you like sweet dessert-style wine.

Best Places To Stay: The Inn At Cobble Beach

Things To Do:

• See the Capital
• Drink the wine
• Hike a trail

 

7. Churchill, Manitoba

The “Polar Bear Capital of the World”, Churchill is a small town on the shores of Hudson Bay in Northern Manitoba. Ecotourism is a big draw here to see polar bears, beluga whales, and a variety of birds. Being as far north as it is, Churchill is also one of many communities where the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) is visible. This winter destination is for those who enjoy the peace and beauty of a winter wilderness and want to see wildlife roam in their natural environment.

8. Go Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is a magnificent way to enjoy the Canadian winter and commune with nature. Not only does Canada offer the necessary climate, but it has a huge array of excellent resorts and lodges that range from basic to luxury offering chances to fish on the ice. One of the favorite ice fishing outfitters is Andy Myer's Lodge on Eagle Lake in Ontario. Canada is one of the most popular ice fishing destinations, and overall, you'll find the quality of accommodation and hospitality high.

9. Visit Idyllic Quebec

The city turns into a magical Christmas village during the holiday season. Decorated with lights, covered in snow Quebec attracts the locals and guests to spend more time in the city and enjoy the holiday spirit. Christmas markets, concerts and events create the classic holiday you are looking for. Meanwhile Petit Champlain is the most popular and picturesque neighborhood: visitors come here to explore the historical architecture, narrow cobblestone streets and mural paintings.

Why go there?

Even during night in Old Quebec the streets are illuminated with the colorful Christmas lights and it is really nice wandering through the narrow streets. The European-like city pulls off the best winter holiday possible.

10. Winnipeg: Enjoy Skating At The Forks

From letting you party outside like a Voyageur, and skating on the longest naturally frozen trail to warming up indoors, Winnipeg is the best place for enjoying your Canada winter holidays . When here, make sure you also visit attractions like FortWhyte Alive and The Forks!

Tourist Attractions: Enjoy Thermea, an open-air Scandinavian spa in the forests of Fort Garry, just 10-minutes drive away from the city.

Best Place To Stay: Delta Hotels by Marriott Winnipeg

Things To Do:

• Attend the Festival du Voyageur
• Go for skating at The Forks
• Enjoy a Bonfire at FortWhyte Alive
• Visit the Assiniboine Park Zoo