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65 Cool Things to Do Across Canada in Winter

Winter in Canada. The phrase usually evokes thoughts of deep snow, thick blizzards and freezing temperatures. It can also last for up to six months in some areas of the country.

But the truth is that winter can also be pretty exhilarating, exciting and a whole lot of fun for those who embrace (and not hibernate from!) the season. 

Gemma and Wapta falls in winter
Wapta Falls in Yoho National Park, British Columbia

Consider this list of 65 cool ideas (yep, pun intended) just a very small sample of things to do in Canada in winter. Join me in making the most out of exploring Canada this winter and every winter after that!

Canada is, of course, home to an incredible amount of places to do every kind of classic winter activity from skiing and snowboarding to skating and ice-fishing.

Rather than list EVERY single place you can ski in Canada (because there is A LOT), I’ve concentrated on featuring more unusual and unique things to do in Canada in winter alongside some well-loved favourites in each province and territory.

There are affiliate links in this post. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Looking across snowy winter landscape at SilverStar Mountain Resort, with snow covered trees and ground looking out over mountain views
Skiing at Silver Star Ski Resort, British Columbia

Things to do in British Columbia in Winter

  • Warm up in one of the many hot springs in the Kootenays region. My pick is Radium Hot Springs!
  • Take a hike! No, really. Many trails at sea level around Vancouver and on Vancouver Island are still accessible in winter
  • Storm watch or surf in Tofino on Vancouver Island’s Pacific coast
  • Try out the fastest ice track in the world at the Whistler Sliding Centre
  • Ski, paddle and golf on the same day in the Comox Valley, Vancouver Island

Planning to book a winter stay in Tofino?

Middle Beach Lodge – Amazing oceanfront location

The Shoreline – Good value

Sienna’s Tree House – Highly rated on Booking.com

Sunset and beach
Tofino is a fabulous place to visit in winter

Things to do in Yukon Territory in Winter

  • Take part in Takhini Hot Pools’ annual hair freezing contest – the water is 40c and the air usually -30c!
  • Watch the start (or end, depending on the year) of the Yukon Quest dog mushing race in Whitehorse
  • See ice sculptures, can-can dancing and chainsaw competitions at the Sourdough Rendezvous Festival
  • Rent a fat bike from one of two locations in Whitehorse and hit the trails
  • Visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve and spot 11 species of animals in their natural habitat (and weather!)
Huge carved rectangular ice sculpture at Rendezvous Festival
One of the many ice sculptures created for the Sourdough Rendezvous Festival

Things to do in North West Territories in Winter

  • Watch the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Yellowknife
  • Drive to the Arctic Ocean from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk (or explore one of the many ice roads around Yellowknife!)
  • Fly a kite or try kite skiing on Great Slave Lake
  • Visit the one-of-a-kind ‘igloo-church’ in Inuvik (Our Lady of Victory Church)
  • Celebrate the return of the sun in Inuvik at the Sunrise Festival in January
Huge frozen waterfall cascades down canyon wall in Johnston Canyon, Banff National Park
Johnston Canyon, Alberta

Things to do in Alberta in Winter

  • Discover frozen waterfalls in Johnstone Canyon, Banff National Park
  • Snowshoe Sunshine Meadows in Banff National Park
  • Skate on Lake Louise’s iconic ice
  • Have a go at ice climbing! Tours leave from Canmore, Calgary, Banff and Jasper
  • See the frozen bubbles on Abraham Lake
  • Play ice golf at the annual Pigeon Lake tournament (costumes encouraged!)

Read Next: 42+ Amazing Things to Do in Banff in Winter

JR is facing the camera, about to play golf on a frozen lake in Alberta
Playing ice golf in Alberta

Things to do in Saskatchewan in Winter

Gemma is standing next to white van at Saskatchewan border in winter, which is marked by a large yellow and green sign
Crossing the Saskatchewan border in winter

Things to do in Manitoba in Winter

  • Dine at 58° north latitude and watch the northern lights on  the edge of Hudson Bay
  • Check out the unusual and award-winning warming huts on the Red River Skating Trail in Winnipeg
  • Go on a self-guided grain elevator tour
  • Explore the ice castles in Winnipeg. On Friday and Saturday evenings, there’s also a fire show
  • Get the European spa experience at Thermea in Winnipeg
Grain elevator at dusk in winter in Eastern Winnipeg, Manitoba
Grain elevator in Eastern Winnipeg, Manitoba

Things to do in Ontario in Winter

  • Skate on the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink, the Rideau Canal in Ottawa
  • Wonder at the power of Niagara Falls and stunning winter ice formations
  • Visit Toronto’s huge Christmas Market in the Distillery District
  • Stay in an igloo in Cochrane, Northern Ontario
  • Admire the views from Southern Ontario’s longest suspension bridge near Collingwood. It’s open all year!
A deer surrounded by snow in back garden in Ontario in winter
Spotting wildlife in Ontario in winter

Things to do in Quebec in Winter

  • Sleep in North America’s only ice hotel at the Hôtel de Glace in Quebec City
  • Eat homemade maple taffy (maple syrup poured onto clean, white snow) at a maple sugar shack
  • Ride across the world’s highest snowmobile bridge above the Manicouagan River
  • Walk the fairytale streets of old Quebec City
  • Highline, zip line and climb on Projet Vertical’s via ferrata, the only one of it’s kind to run all year round
Driving the David Thompson Highway in Canada, vehicle view. The clear road is surrounded by snowy mountains
Driving the David Thompson Highway in Alberta in winter

Things to do in New Brunswick in Winter

  • Play pond hockey…or watch others do it at the World Pond Hockey Championships in Plaster Rock
  • Stay in one of Park Canada’s more unusual accommodation offerings such as yurts, cabins and hybrid tents
  • Check out Atlantic Canada’s largest winter festival in Fredericton – the aptly named, Frostival
  • Put a line in at one of the many ice fishing villages such as Renforth Wharf and Chaleur Bay
  • Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in Kouchibouguac National Park
JR standing on the frozen ocean at the bay of chaleur new brunswick
Exploring the frozen ocean in New Brunswick

Things to do on Prince Edward Island in Winter

  • Walk the beach – the sands of PEI are just as beautiful with a coating of snow
  • Eat, drink and dance during PEI Music Week and Winterdine, parallel events taking place in late February
  • Get cultured at the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown
  • Explore almost 1,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails including the tip-to-tip Confederation Trail
  • Try snowshoeing in Victoria Park, Charlottetown

Planning a winter stay in Charlottetown?

Rodd Royalty – Great value

1 West Inn Waterfront – Awesome location

Sydney Boutique Inn & Suites – Highly rated on Booking.com

boats at caraquet harbour in winter new brunswick
Fishing boats in New Brunswick in winter

Things to do in Nova Scotia in Winter

  • Give winter surfing a try (don’t forget a warm wetsuit!)
  • Pair food and wine at the Nova Scotia Ice Wine Festival
  • Explore the trails, learn how to make maple syrup and eat plenty of pancakes at Sugar Moon Farm
  • Snowshoe the Skyline Trail on Cape Breton Island
  • Watch wild eagles soar at Sheffield Mills in the Annapolis Valley
Winter landscape around the Bay of Fundy, with fence leading into distance and ocean visible behind
Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick in winter

Things to do in Newfoundland and Labrador in Winter

  • Fly down Canada’s highest zip-line at Marble Mountain – open all year round in all weather conditions!
  • Get screeched in! The wild winter weather doesn’t stop this time honoured tradition
  • Check out frozen waterfalls at Middle Cove
  • Skate for free at Bannerman Park in St John’s
  • Soak in the culture of The Rooms – Newfoundland’s largest public cultural space combining Art Gallery, Museum and Provincial Archives

Planning a winter stay in St John’s?

The Duckworth Inn – Good value

Courtyard By Marriott – Great location

Blue on Water – Highly rated on Booking.com

Side profile of lynx walking through snow in Alberta
We spotted this lynx in Alberta

Things to do in Nunavut in Winter

  • Learn about local history, language, clothing and art at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum
  • Try traditional food such as arctic char, caribou, musk ox, seal or even polar bear
  • Visit Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly building in Iqaluit and explore the igloo-like interior
  • Embrace the lack of light and go stargazing
  • Try and stay warm…!

Read these posts next:

8 Must See Places on a Winter Road Trip Across Canada

What to Wear in Canada in Winter: A Complete Guide

10 Winter Activities You Must Do in Canada

How to Buy the Best Snowshoes: A Complete Guide

Snowshoeing 101: A Beginner’s Guide

Click here to discover 65 cool things to do across Canada this winter - every province, every territory! offtracktravel.ca
65 Cool Things to do across every province, every territory of Canada this winter! offtracktravel.ca
Visiting Canada in winter can be exhilarating, exciting and a whole lot of fun for those who embrace the season. Here's just 65 ideas of things to do in every province and every territory of this magnificent country! offtracktravel.ca

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