Canada’s top 5 winter activities
Winter in Canada is embraced by the locals and any visitors are lucky enough to be able to enjoy the snow and cold weather with them, as only Canadians know how. Here are our top five activities for a winter holiday in Canada.
Skiing and snowboarding
Obviously top of the pile for British visitors to Canada in the winter would be a ski holiday and we certainly know a thing or two about those! Resorts such as Whistler and Banff have some of the best skiing in the world, but don’t forget ski resorts are great places for non-skiers too who just enjoy the snow!
Ski the Rockies
Northern Lights viewing
Possibly one of the most-asked about winter holidays in Canada is viewing the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. This natural phenomenon occurs when the sun’s electrically charged particles collide with gases upon entering the earth’s atmosphere, resulting in spectacular displays of colourful dancing lights, particularly on clear, cold nights in Canada’s north. Top viewing spots include the Yukon, Churchill and Jasper, which has the world’s second largest Dark Sky Preserve.
Aurora light show
Dog sledding
Leading a pack of dogs across frozen wasteland is a wonderful way to expend some energy in the snow and to engage with nature and these fabulous animals. You can be a real-life musher and lead your own team of dogs or you can do half-day trips with experienced teams and explore snow-covered deep valleys, canyons and mountains.
Dog sledding in Churchill
City stays
Canada’s cities come alive in winter with Christmas markets in Toronto and Vancouver, winter carnivals in Quebec City or skating in the capital city, Ottawa, along the Rideau Canal. Enjoy a glass of gluhwein while keeping warm and toasty in and out of shops or festive huts.
Stalls at the Quebec City German Christmas Market
Winter hiking and sightseeing
Canada’s landscapes are even more beautiful in the winter and with snow-covered mountains, frozen waterfalls and ice towers, exploring wintery scenes on a fly-drive holiday or even a stay in a snowy spa resort hotel with winter activities such as snowshoeing and skating on hand make for a perfect winter wonderland holiday. Lake Louise holds a winter ice sculpture festival; what could be better than a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the frozen lake, drinking a warming hot chocolate?
Lake Louise Alberta Winter Sleigh Ride
Julie Thompson
Frontier Canada
