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Canada is an incredible winter destination. There are A LOT of snow activities to do when you’re here, so I compiled the ultimate list of fun things to do in Canada in winter.
The Ultimate Canada Travel Guide
This post includes specific national parks and cities, along with snow activities that you can do in almost any part of the country from December to February.
Here are the most fun things to do in Canada in winter!
Visit Quebec City
In the winter, Québec City looks like it belongs in a snow globe! The city transforms into a picture-perfect Christmas village, making you feel like you’re in Europe instead of Canada.
Québec City is ideally located for snow sports, so it’s a great home base for winter activities. The Québec City toboggan slide is also a must-do activity when you’re here!
The best hotel in the city is the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Even if you don’t stay here, you’ll want to eat at one of the hotel’s restaurants for incredible food and stunning views.
Go To a Christmas Market
In December, most of Canada’s large and mid-size cities go all-out with Christmas markets. The Québec City Christmas market is even said to rival some of Europe’s markets.
Some of the most famous Christmas markets in the country are the Banff Christmas Market, Calgary Expo Holiday Market, Christkindl Market of Kitchener, Montréal Christmas Village, and Québec City’s German Christmas Market.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling
If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, hop on a snowmobile. Many of Canada’s national and state parks close their roads in the winter, so snowmobiling is one of the only (and best!) ways to explore these places from December to February.
Experienced snowmobilers can rent snowmobiles for self-guided tours. But I highly recommend doing guided tours. You can relax and “enjoy the ride” more with a guide to lead you, and local guides know the best views points along the snowmobile paths.
Snow Tubing
I went snow tubing for the first time in Canada, and it will forever be one of my favorite snow activities! Snow tubing might seem like a kid’s activity, but it’s for all ages. My parents and I spent an entire day snow tubing, and we wish we had planned another day for it into our itinerary.
Stay at a Ski Resort
If you ski or snowboard, then staying at a ski resort is a no-brainer. You’ll be able to save money on lift tickets, rent gear, store any equipment you bring, and you’ll just have to walk out your hotel door to be on the slopes.
But even if you’re not into skiing or snowboarding, a ski resort can still be the perfect destination for you. Almost every ski resort in Canada has other snow activities, such as snow tubing, ice skating, and sleigh rides. Plus, ski resorts can have luxurious pools, hot tubs, thermal pools, and spas.
See the Northern Lights
You’re never guaranteed to see the northern lights, but the Northwest Territories, Manitoba, and Yukon give you excellent odds of seeing this natural wonder from November to March.
The best viewing time is usually from 10 pm – 2 am, and you’ll want to plan on multiple nights for viewings to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Visit the Ice Hotel
The Hôtel de Glace is one of the most famous ice hotels in the world. Open from January to March, this work-of-art hotel is part of the Village Vacances Valcartier resort. You can stay at Valcartier and visit (and even sleep in the ice hotel), or you can get a day pass to visit Hôtel de Glace without having to book a room at the Valcartier.
Bundle up when you visit Hôtel de Glace because it is COLD – usually significantly colder than the weather outside, which stays well below freezing during these months. When you’re here, make sure you get a frozen drink from the ice bar and look in every room because each one is uniquely sculpted and decorated.
Go To Banff National Park
Banff National Park is one of the most-visited places in Canada. So coming in the winter is a way to beat the crowds and see this popular destination in a way that most travelers don’t get to experience.
You’ll need to snowmobile, cross-country ski, or snowshoe to explore many parts of the park and surrounding areas, and I highly recommend bringing a car with Four-Wheel or All-Wheel drive.
Staying as close to the park as possible in the winter will save you driving time and give you a home base for warming up throughout the day. So I recommend the incredible Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, The Rimrock Resort Hotel, or Fairmont Banff Springs.
Dog Sledding
Dog sledding is one of my favorite snow activities! I love getting to interact and bond with my team of dogs. I’ve been dog sledding several times, and every experience has been unique with different types of sleds and training techniques. So this is an activity that will never get old!
Visit Niagra Falls
It can feel like you have Niagra Falls practically to yourself in the winter. Some activities are closed during these months because of ice, weather, and fewer tourists, but the stunning frozen landscape is well worth the trade-off.
The annual OPG Winter Festival of Lights runs from mid-November to late February. There’s also a nightly illumination show that turns the partially frozen falls into a sparkling winter wonderland.
Shop My Winter Essentials
What do you think are the most fun things to do in Canada in winter? Tell us in the comments below!
For Planning The Rest Of Your Canada Trip
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Fun Things To Do in Canada in Winter
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I go in winter in Canada?
The Best Places To Visit in Canada:
1. Banff National Park
2. Montreal
3. Niagra Falls
4. Prince Edward Island
5. Quebec City
6. Toronto
7. Vancouver
8. Victoria Island
9. WhistlerIs it worth visiting Canada in winter?
Yes! Canada is an incredible winter destination, just come prepared for the cold.
Is Niagara Falls Fun in the winter?
Yes! It can feel like you have Niagra Falls practically to yourself in the winter. Some activities are closed during these months because of ice, weather, and fewer tourists, but the stunning frozen landscape is well worth the trade-off.
The annual OPG Winter Festival of Lights runs from mid-November to late February. There’s also a nightly illumination show that turns the partially frozen falls into a sparkling winter wonderland.
Where is the mildest winter in Canada?
Relatively speaking, nowhere in Canada has a mild winter. The closer you stay to the U.S. border and the further from the Great Lakes you go, the better your chances are of milder winter weather.
Which is the best month to visit Canada?
Canada’s high season is July and August, when tourist numbers, prices, and temperatures are at their highest. December – March is the high season for ski resorts and snow sports.
Canada’s shoulder seasons are May and September – October. There are fewer tourists, lower prices, and moderate temperatures during these months. May is a gorgeous time for hiking and exploring the national parks (wildflowers will be everywhere), and Fall will have beautiful foliage.
The low season is November – April for everywhere in the country that isn’t a ski resort. It’s cold during these months, and most places are open fewer days a week and for shorter hours a day. But travel costs can be up to 50% less during these months.
Because some trails and sites close during the winter months, if you’re thinking about going in the Winter (especially if you don’t want to do snow sports), make sure your top destinations and attractions will be open.
Is there a place in Canada that doesn't snow?
No, but Victoria, BC on the southern tip of Vancouver Island has less snow than anywhere else in Canada.
Which is the coldest city in Canada?
Eureka, Nunavut, is considered the coldest place in Canada with an average annual temperature of −19.7 °C or −3 °F.
What's the hottest it can get in Canada?
British Columbia has the warmest temperatures in the country, ranging from the mid-80s to high-90s°F.
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This article about the most fun things to do in Canada in winter is not a sponsored post, and the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. Some of the links in this post about the most fun things to do in Canada in winter are affiliate links, and, at no cost to you, I may earn a small commission from this post about the most fun things to do in Canada in winter.
