Uniquely Winter Experiences in Canada aka The Great White North
For most tourists living in northern climates winter vacations means going somewhere warm, however if you are looking for a different vacation experience why not embrace winter with a unique winter experience in Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg or Calgary. If you live in a warm climate and have never experienced a real winter, these Canadian cities should be on your bucket list.
And if it gets too cold outside you can always enjoy playing some online casino or online slots in the warmth of your heritage hotel.
Quebec City is famous for its Winter Carnival (Jan 25 to Feb 1, 2024) which includes ice canoe races, snowshoeing, dogsledding, snowman, snow forts, slides, skating and lots of drinking and eating fun. Treat yourself to a stay at the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, one of Canada’s signature heritage hotels built in 1893, it is centre ice for all the Winter Carnival action.
The world’s longest toboggan run with the Chateau Frontenac in the background.
Ottawa is not only famous for being Canada’s capital city, but also for Winterlude (Feb 2 to 19, 2023). Winterlude not only includes skating along the Rideau Canal (7 km long), but a massive winter playground, slides for tubing, zip lines and treasure hunts at the Snowflake Kingdom.
Stay at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier another one of Canada’s signature heritage hotels, located on edge of the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River in the middle of downtown and the action. You will also be within easy walking distance to National Gallery of Canada and the Parliament buildings.
Skating along the Rideau Canal with the Chateau Laurier hotel in the background.
One of several warming huts on the Red River created by design teams and choose annually by jury.
Winnipeg aka Winterpeg, is located almost in the exact middle of North America and it too is famous for celebrating winter. Festival du Voyageur runs from Feb 16 to 25, 2023. It includes everything from giant snow sculptures, to dancing and jigging to live music.
The signature activity is to skate along the Red and Assiniboine rivers in the city Centre enjoying the warming huts along the way.
Stay at the Inn at the Forks hotel (not a heritage hotel, but very nice) and you will be in the middle of the activities.
Be sure not to miss the miss Qaumajuq at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, home to the largest collection of contemporary Inuit Art in the world.
Winnipeggers lover skating along their rivers.
Calgary
Calgary, home of the 1988 Winter Olympics, is also home to Chinook Blast that takes place this year from Feb 2 to 19th. This festival includes amazing light shows in the downtown, with night markets and various sporting and cultural events. Families can enjoy skating at Olympic Plaza in the downtown or night skiing at Canada Olympic Park. It is a mix of free and ticketed events. The festival is named after Calgary’s winter Chinook Winds that can increase the temperature from -10 Celcius to +10 in matter of hours. During the 1988 Winter Olympics Calgary’s daytime high was often higher than Miami’s. Calgary’s hottest new hotel is The Dorian, located in the heart of downtown, just minutes from the Bow River Promenade, Stephen Avenue Walk pedestrian mall and The Core indoor shopping centre.
Last Word
Canada is a cool place to visit not only in the winter, but year round eh!