The Ultimate Canadian Winter Bucket List; Best Canadian Winter Activities
Winter is one of our favourite seasons in Canada, and there is no shortage of quintessential winter experiences to enjoy. So embrace the snow, wind chill and snow pants, and enjoy a good old fashioned Canadian winter activities with our ultimate Canadian winter bucket list.
Watch the Northern Lights from a Remote Fly-in Lodge in Canada's Arctic
Canada's North is one of the best places to catch the vibrant and incredible display of the northern lights. With the quaint town of Yellowknife as your home base, stop at the popular Aurora Village to catch nature’s show, or fly by way of vintage Twin Otter plane into the remote and fairy-tale-like setting of the spectacular Blachford Lake Lodge. Stay in the main lodge (where an aurora wake up service is available for those who like their sleep), or go rustic and stay in a cozy wood cabin on the edge of the frozen lake. Then keep your eyes peeled and look up for the spectacular aurora borealis to light up the sky. The view of the northern lights from the frozen lake is second to none, and traditional quinzees and teepees are set up for that picture perfect photo op.
Skate the Rideau Canal Skateway, the Largest Outdoor Skating Rink in the World
Canada's capital is home to the largest outdoor skating rink in the world, and gliding down all 7.8km of the Rideau Canal Skateway in Ottawa does not disappoint. Start at kilometre 0 with an incredible view of Parliament Hill and wind your way through the city all the way to Dow's Lake, where the annual Ice Dragon Boat Festival take place every February. Skates and sleighs can be rented at kilometer 0, where a plethora of snacks including Beavertail pastries, hot chocolate, maple taffy and poutine are also available to start or bookend your skating adventure.
Visit a Traditional Canadian Maple Sugar Bush or Sugar Shack
March is peak maple syrup season in Canada, and no winter bucket list is complete without a visit to a local sugar shack to indulge in everything maple. Fulton's Pancake House and Sugarbush, just south of Pakenham in the Ottawa region, is the picture perfect spot to dive into the full maple experience. Learn about tapping trees, from traditional methods to modern day techniques, and visit the onsite sugar shack to see sap being converted into sticky syrup. Then cap of your visit with a stack of flapjacks (topped with fresh maple syrup of course), or a gooey stick of maple taffy on snow. A horse drawn sleigh ride through the sugar bush is an added bonus on weekends, and a snowy trails through the sugar bush are a great way to explore the area on foot.
Celebrate Winter at Quebec City's Carnaval de Quebec
For anyone who is looking for the ultimate Canadian experience, the Carnaval de Quebec is definitely the quintessential winter festival. From giant snow slides and a winter Ferris-wheel, to cross-country skiing and skating on the plains of Abraham, the historic backdrop of Quebec City is the perfect snowy setting for this amazing celebration of winter. For anyone who grew up with a French Canadian influence in their life, a visit to Bonhomme Carnaval's ice palace is a must, and meeting this iconic winter snowman is nothing short of magical. Quebec City can get cold in the winter, but the amazing variety of cozy bistros and comfy cafes is the perfect way to warm up after an action packed day of winter fun.
Ice Skate at Toronto's Harbourfront Centre
Canada's biggest city sits on the shores of Lake Ontario, and Toronto provides some unique winter urban experiences that are not to be missed. With several unique skating spots in the city, the rink at Harbourfront Centre definitely provides the most iconic view, with the majestic CN Tower providing a postcard perfect backdrop.
Take a stroll along the waterfront and you'll also find HTO Park, a popular spot for sun worshipping locals in the summer, but a also unique place to spot winter wildlife like ducks and swans in the winter months. Want to get the most iconic winter view of the city? Take the ice-breaking Toronto ferry over to the Toronto Islands and enjoy the seclusion of this unique island community. Watch locals play pond hockey on the frozen inlets or seek out the postcard perfect views of city from the icy shoreline.
Ice Climb in Ontario
With has plenty of opportunities for both beginners and experienced adventurers, Ontario is an amazing place to experience ice climbing. Join a beginner’s climb with a hired guide to learn the basics and familiarize yourself with this unique winter sport, or take a multi-day course at ice climbing clinics across the province.
If you’re in northern Ontario, Superior Exploration in Sault Ste. Marie is Ontario’s oldest ice climbing school and a great place to learn and improve your skills. In Thunder Bay, Outdoor Skills and Thrills offers fully outfitted and guided ice climbing excursions for beginners, as well as more challenging climbs for experienced climbers at various sites across Ontario’s remote northwest.
In southern Ontario head to the historic Elora Gorge and join a beginner course with One Axe Pursuits, or head to the Muskoka or Haliburton region for ice climbing adventure at the Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve or ice-climb covered granite cliffs with Liv Outside in Bracebridge.
Go Dog Sledding in Ontario’s Backcountry
Dog sledding, or “mushing”, is still a way of life many people in remote areas of Canada's wilderness, and driving your own dogsled team is truly a unique experience - not to mention a good workout! Ontario, known for its wild forests and pristine lakes in the summer, turns into the perfect scene for a winter dog sledding adventure. Taking a half-day trip or multi-day expedition into the backcountry is a unique experience which allows you to learn all the ins and outs of dog sledding. From learning how to harness hundreds of pounds of dog power and leading a dog sled team, to learning the ins and out of dog care and winter survival skills, it’s a great combination of learning and fun.
For introductory tours for beginners, North Ridge Ranch in Hunstville is a great option with family-friendly tours, or book a two-hour, half-day or moonlit with Winterdance Dog Sled Tours in Haliburton Highlands. If you’re looking for a more challenging and adventurous multi-day expedition, head up north to Abitibi Sled Dogs near Timmins and customize your own adventure in Ontario’s remote north, or Borealis Sled Dog Adventures in Vermilion Bay for 1-10 day adventurous expeditions.
