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Dec 7, 2020 · From unique activities such as dog-sledding to the more traditional winter activities such as skiing and skating, there is something for everyone. Also, Canada boasts some of the world's biggest and best winter festivals this season.
- 21 Best Places to Visit in Canada in Winter
- What to Wear in Canada in Winter Clothing For Canada
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Blue Mountain Resort
- Prince Edward Island
- Quebec
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. The winter months in Canada are from December to February. January is the coldest month, and this is the best time for winter sports-related activities. Festive events are held from mid-December to early January. Many...
There are some winter essentials to pack for Canada. 1. Winter Parka: Pack and carry a warm parka jacket to enjoy the winters outside in Canada. Here is my favorite jacket from The North Face. It has a good length and is super warm. Click to view this winter jacket. 2. Base Layers: Highly recommend that you layer on it! Wear long johns or base laye...
1. Banff National Park
Banff National Parkis one of the best places to visit in Canada in winter. Enjoy the stunning Canadian Rockies, sprinkled with snow dust and a beautiful winter wonderland. One of the amazing things to do in the winter in Banff is to head to the Sulphur Sightseeing Gondola and soak in views of the mountains. On certain nights, Banff Gondola also organizes a stargazing event, along with Christmas celebrations. There are tons of seasonal activities held here in the winter, from Christmas on Moun...
2. Calgary
One of the prettiest cities in Canada to visit in winter is Calgary. Calgary is usually the first stop for those travelers heading to Banff from overseas or out of province. The majority of the city attractions are open in the winter in Calgary. Ensure you visit the Calgary Tower observation platform to soak in the views of the snow-covered cityscape. Tons of festive concerts, markets, and restaurants menu pop up to keep you delighted throughout the stay. During this time, you must visit muse...
3. Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, and it has been our home for the past 7+ years. In the winter Edmonton beams with amazing activities from Xmas markets to ice castles and light festivals! Our absolute favorite is the Ice Castles festival which takes place from late December to early February (ice castles are canceled for 2020, likely to return in 2023/4). You can also venture into nearby places like Saint Albert, Devon, and Sherwood Park for more winter fests! The city is filled with...
6. Vancouver
Vancouveris one of the best places to visit in Canada in winter for those who love ‘not a lot of snow’. Considered one of the warmer places for Christmas breaks, Vancouver glows with festive colors and lights all winter long. There are many Christmas lights events held across the city, and our absolute favorite is the lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. The park looks like pretty postcard-like lights shining in the middle of the woods. Enjoy ice skating at the Robson Square Ice Rin...
7. Squamish
By Eden from Rock a Little Travel One of the most beautiful places to visit in Canada in Winter is Squamish, British Columbia. The town of Squamish is located along the Sea to Sky Highwayabout halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. It is situated next to the mountains, the Squamish River, and Howe Sound, creating an abundance of outdoor adventure opportunities for winter visitors. One of the most popular things to do in Squamish in winter is to visit the Sea to Sky Gondola. Once at the top,...
8. Victoria
By Marcie from Marcie in Mommyland Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria is one of the cutest little winter wonderland towns, especially during the holidays. The European-inspired city is all dressed up with Christmas lights and decorations. While many people flock to The Butchart Gardens during the warmer months, they are pretty awesome during the winter. They host a Magic of Christmas event with more lights than you can ever imagine plus an outdoor skating rink. Around town, you can take th...
10. Churchill
Churchill is a small town located in the province of Manitoba. It is widely known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. Yes, this is where cute polar bears await you for winter fun. Churchill is located on the shores of Hudson Bay and is home to polar bears, beluga whales, and a variety of birds. It is like a winter wonderland like no other. In the lap of nature, and far north, Churchill is one of those places in Canada where you can witness wilderness and beat winter blues by chasing gre...
11. Halifax
Winters in Halifax are long. But it is a good thing as due to snow and ice you can indulge in winter activities. Tobogganing on Citadel Hill is very popular, and so is ice skating at the Emera Oval. Winter activities range from skiing, winter hiking, sledding, and ice tubing in various parks across the city. And attending all the lights festivals is a must. The Atlantic Fashion Week Pop-Up Christmas Market pulls tourists for festive souvenirs and culinary delight. You can also visit the Halif...
12. Great Lakes
By Slavka from On2Continents.com Canada is charming in winter. No wonder it’s called the True North. Frozen Great Lakes add to the country’s winter charm. If you get a chance to get to one of the large lakes in winter, you’ll be surprised by how different they look. Summer lake beaches are fun, but the frozen beauty of glittering snow and ice on the lake on a sunny day is unforgettable. The best places for trips to frozen lakes are small towns along the shore such as Port Stanley on Lake Erie...
13. Niagara Falls
If you have visited Niagara Falls in the summer, you must re-visit in the winter to see how stunning the falls look in a Narnia-like scenario. Although many of the attractions like the boat tours are closed, the falls and observation platform for viewing are open. Take a walk along the pathway by the side of the falls and enjoy the mighty falls glittering in white snow. It is common to see ice formations in and around the falls and the cliffs. Close to Christmas and New Year, you can expect f...
14. Toronto
Toronto is one of the best places to visit in Canada in winter. Toronto gets a lot of snow, and the entire city is lit with festive lights and decorations. And truly the city is never dull at any time of the year. Festive activities begin at the historic Distillery District. This is where the Christmas Market is set up. Wander through the markets and sip in hot cocoa while you shop for souvenirs and Christmas ornaments. Toronto Light Festival is a must-visit, here the annual lights fest will...
By Manpreet fromYourVeganAdventure.com The Blue Mountain Resort is located within driving distance from Toronto and although it is an amazing place to visit all year round, winter is when it becomes magical. Once the winter season starts, the ski lifts begin operating and work all day taking guests up to the top of the slopes. However, there is mor...
18. Charlottetown
The capital city of PEI/Prince Edward Island – Charlottetownis one of the unique places to visit in Canada in the winter. This winter getaway is perfect for both indoor and outdoor activities from fine dining, skating, and cross skiing to children’s festivals. The small city has the perfect combination of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. Firstly, warm up with a hot drink from one of the city’s cafes in the downtown area. Then head outdoors and skate at the Founder’s Hall Rink is one of...
19. Montreal
The stunning city of Montrealis even more amazing in the winter. From staying at an Ice hotel, and listening to Christmas carols at Notre Dame to enjoying underground shopping, Montreal welcomes you to a fun-filled winter getaway. Ice Hotel in Montreal is a special hotel, which gets built each year (depending on winter conditions). It is open from January to late March/early April. Visitors can wander through the hotel, enjoy a drink or two at the Ice Bar, and can also book a room to stay for...
20. Mont Tremblant
By Danni from Danni In The Desert This beautiful little village is located in Quebec, Mont Tremblant was built especially for tourists who want a European resort-style ski experience with hotels, shops, restaurants, and more! They offer a range of slopes from beginning to advanced along with ski instructors for those who are novices or wish to improve their technique. Don’t have any ski gear? Not to worry! Everything can be hired from their ski shop! Once you’ve finished skiing, you’ve got lo...
21. Trois-Rivières
By Brianna of Curious Travel Bug Quebec is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a winter destination in Canada. While Quebec is known for its skiing, it’s also a fantastic destination for ice skating trails and winter hiking. Domaine Enchanteur is a skating trail that winds its way through a forest only 20 minutes away from Trois-Rivières. With 15 km (9.3 miles) of trails to explore, it’s easy to spend a couple of hours here. This is not your typical ice rink experience. Trails h...
- Skate the Rideau Canal Skateway. Did you know Canada is home to the largest outdoor skating rink in the world? This 7.8 kilometer stretch of natural ice runs from one end of the city to the other and is filled with people enjoying the winter festivities.
- Go Cross Country Skiing. Cross-country skiing is a fantastic way to stay in shape and experience nature in winter. It’s one of the most common winter spots in Canada.
- Attend the World Pond Hockey Championship. Did you know that one of the most unique winter activities in Canada is the World Pond Hockey Championship in Plaster Rock, New Brunswick?
- Spot Frozen Bubbles on Lake Abraham. Lake Abraham is one of the most photographed spots in Canada during winter, and one of the best things to do. Every winter (usually by late December), the lake freezes over.
- Banff, Alberta. Banff is one of the most beautiful cities in Canada – so much so that I nearly moved there after a week in a campervan in Banff National Park with my dog.
- Quebec City, Quebec. Quebec City is like stepping into Europe without leaving Canada. The city glows in the winter with snow covering the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec and making for picture perfect scenes as you walk around the old town or take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride through it (although you will need to bundle up because it’s cold!).
- Whistler, British Columbia. The ultimate ski trip destination, Whistler is famous for its mountain vistas and powdery slopes. It’s the perfect spot to spend a winter weekend in Canada skiing, snowboarding, or even heli-skiing.
- Ottawa, Ontario. Ottawa really comes alive in winter. We visited yearly when I was a kid to see Winterlude and skate on the Rideau Canal. Once I moved there in 2021, I uncovered even more to marvel at in the winter.
- Go Sledding Down a Hill Like a Kid. Sledding is one of the classic winter activities for kids and parents alike. Whether you’re spending a day snow tubing at a resort like Village Vacances Valcartier, zipping down the old-fashioned toboggan run at Dufferin Terrace, or flying down the 7.5 km luge course at Massif de Charlevoix, you’ll get to the bottom grinning from ear to ear and shouting “again!”
- Skate on the Prettiest Rinks. Lace up your skates and get out onto one of the many rinks in the Québec City area. The refrigerated ones at Place D’Youville and on the Plains of Abraham offer an enchanting historical setting and great ice, no matter the weather.
- Spend a Night Somewhere Special. Turn your accommodation into an experience by choosing a fun, unique place to stay. There’s no better way to wrap up a day spent outdoors than by cozying up to a fire in a yurt at Village Yourtes Valcartier or Vallée Bras-du-Nord or in one of the floating houses at Bora-Boréal.
- See the Ice Hotel. Visitors from around the world have been coming to see this architectural marvel for over 20 years. The Hôtel de Glace is made entirely of ice and snow and has a new theme each year.
Jul 31, 2023 · 17 Best Places to visit in Canada in Winter: Things to do + Events Guide 1. Banff National Park, Alberta: Christmas, winter wonderland, snow activities. Best Place To Stay in Banff: Fairmont Banff Springs | Elk + Avenue Hotel | Rimrock Hotel. Things To Do & Winter events: Ski season starts in late November/early December to February
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Feb 28, 2024 · Here are my picks for the best places to visit in Canada in winter. The ultimate Canadian winter experience for many is a trip to a ski resort. Those looking for the quintessential full-service ski village experience should head to Whistler, Sun Peaks, Big White, Mont Tremblant or Blue Mountain.
