Skip the skis

 

Winter equipment arranged on top of a wooden mat on a snowy environment.

There’s plenty of winter fun to be found in Canada – if you know where to look!

There is no shortage of playful winter pastimes for Canadians to enjoy during the colder months of the year. From serene snowshoe and skating adventures to heart-pumping snow tubing and ice climbing, winter offers a whole host of possibilities. So we asked award-winning travel writer Claudia Laroye (@itsclaudiatravels and ClaudiaTravels.com) for some suggestions. These nine energetic outdoor activities will inspire your family to bundle up for wonderful winter fun in the great outdoors.

 
Two people dogsledding in a winter environment.

Dogsledding

The Yukon territory is home to some of the best dogsledding opportunities in Canada. Master it by mushing your own team of eager huskies along frozen lakes and through snow-encrusted pine forests on half-, full- or multiple-day trips. Even better if your visit coincides with the thrilling Yukon Quest sled dog races in February.

Chill out

Winter adventures are great. Hopping into a cold vehicle afterward, not so much. So take a note from professional hockey player Sarah Nurse and use the vehicle mobile app* to remote start* your vehicle. That way it’s all toasty inside when you’re done playing in the cold. Download the app before your next winter adventure.

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A person fat biking alone on a tree-lined winter environment.

Fat biking

Fatter tires make cutting through snow (or sand) a breeze. In Nova Scotia, the flat-packed Rum Runners Trail follows 119 km of a former railway line between Halifax and Lunenburg, while the Meewasin Valley Trail and St. Barbe Winter Trails network in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, offer biking fun for all rider levels.
A person ice climbing alone on a winter environment.

Ice climbing

If there’s ice, climbers will attempt to scale it. Serious ice climbers often head to one of the head-spinning 3,000 frozen waterfalls around Canmore, Alberta, and the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Less experienced climbers and families with kids may want to learn the basics at a climbing school. Or book a guided tour with a professional outfitter in Elora, Ontario, or Jasper National Park, Alberta.
A multitude of ice shanties stationed in preparation for ice fishing.

Ice fishing

Have your winter fun and eat it too. The Saguenay Fjord in Québec is home to les Glaces du Fjord, two ice fishing villages with 1,200 colorful cabins ideal for staying cosy as you wait for redfish, turbot or Atlantic cod to nibble the line. On frozen Lake Winnipeg, scoot around in a rented SnoBear, a type of small motorhome for anglers, complete with tracks and skis that can be elevated to drive and lowered to fish.
People ice skating at scenic spots in Canada during winter.

Ice skating

Lace up your skates for a scenic glide around the world’s longest skating trail. Located on Lake Windermere near Invermere in British Columbia’s Kootenay Rockies, the Whiteway is over 30 km in length, earning it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Also try the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa; the Red River Mutual Trail in Winnipeg; and the iconic Lake Louise in Alberta.
People snowshoeing at a tree-lined winter environment.

Snowshoeing

From sea to sea to sea, snowshoeing through mountains, meadows and forests is a popular winter activity. In Banff National Park, the Johnson Lake trail is an easy, family-friendly trek with glittering alpine views. The 3 km Mount Royal trail in Montreal is perfect for urban families, and the undulating snowshoe trails in Mount Seymour Provincial Park north of Vancouver, offer unlimited views of Vancouver Island and Washington state.
People enjoying a snow tubing ride in a local ski resort in Canada.

Snow tubing

Snow tubing is fun for the whole family, and tube parks can be found at nearly every local ski resort. Experience old-fashioned family fun in Ontario or get ready to spin and speed in Whistler, British Columbia.
A snowman mascot posing for a camera shot in front of a castle.

Winter festivals

Lighten the spirit and the season at a celebratory winter festival. The Quebec Winter Carnival takes place February 7—16, 2025. This renowned winter extravaganza includes entertainment, food, ice castles, sports like tobogganing and ice canoeing and, of course, Bonhomme. To the east, FROSTival is Atlantic Canada’s largest winter celebration, featuring over 100 events over three winter weekends in late January and early February in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
A person zip lining alone on a snowy environment.

Zip lining

The thrill of zip lining isn’t limited to summertime – you just have to bundle up more for the winter version. You can enjoy this adrenalin-filled activity across Canada, including one of the longest zip line in the country at Superfly Ziplines in Whistler, British Columbia, or careening through the baker’s dozen of TimberTop Zip Tours’ high-flying zip line network near Sussex, New Brunswick.

Take OnStar with you this winter

If you’re heading out for a family trip – or just a solo adventure – know that OnStar has you covered. Whether it’s starting your car on a cold day*, directions to your destination including traffic updates* or even help getting out of a snowbank*, OnStar has your back.
 

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