As the Canadian loonie continues to drop to record lows, Canadians may need to start reconsidering their winter travel plans.
Maybe you wanted to go skiing in Colorado this year, or sun bathing in Maui, but if you’re wanting to save money, we recommend staying in Canada at this point.
Lucky for us, there are so many unique winter travel destinations located in the Great White North that staying put doesn’t have to mean settling.
From dog sledding in Saskatchewan to watching Polar Bears in Manitoba, there are tons of exciting #staycation destinations that offer unique winter experiences you’ll only find in Canada.
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British Columbia
While Whistler features some of the most renowned skiing conditions in the world, there are a number of other unique sights to see in this snowy mountain town. Put on your warmest parka and spend the day exploring some of Whistler’s ice caves. Go on a guided tour that will take you deep inside crystal blue caves that feature stunning natural ice sculptures and explore the many different ice chambers. Once you make it back into Whistler Village visit the Belvedere Ice Room to enjoy the coldest vodka room in the world – sitting at a nippy -18˚C.
Headline Mountain Holiday
Alberta
Alberta is known for its beautiful winter landscapes for good reason. Make your way to Banff and explore the peaks and valleys surrounding Lake Louise. The head north to Edmonton so you can explore the stunning ice castles. The evening is the best time to check out the ice caves as they are lit up with LED lights, creating a truly spectacular sight.
Edmonton Tourism
Saskatchewan
For an authentic frontier experience, visit Saskatchewan and explore Canada’s boreal forrest by dog sled. Travel deep into untouched forests on a Sundogs Sled Excursion and experience nature from a whole new perspective on this life changing trip.
Manitoba
During the cold winter months, when the shores of Hudson Bay begins to freeze, polar bears will come out to hunt for seals. The perfect place to see the polar bears in action is in the city of Church Hill, where you can get up close and personal on guided tours. Churchill also happens to be one of best spots in Canada to watch the Northern Lights.
Great White Bear Tours
Ontario
Drive 1.5 hours out of the city to Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is transformed into a winter wonderland as it hosts the Niagara Ice Wine Festival during the month of January. This is the perfect retreat for a romantic getaway or for a fun weekend away with friends. The festival features ornate ice bars, wine and food tastings, wine tours, and ice skating.
Wines in Niagara
Quebec
Quebec City’s world famous Winter Carnival is a must see winter celebration. From skating, outdoor BBQs, snow sculpture competitions, parades, and snow tubing, there’s something to do for all ages.
New Brunswick
What could be more Canadian than attending Canada’s largest outdoor pond hockey championship? From February 25th-28th, the small town of Plaster Rock transforms into an outdoor hockey kingdom for the World Pond Hockey Championship, which attracts players from around the world. You can lace up for the event, watch from the sidelines, or try out the other outdoor winter sports available like, skiing, skating, and snowshoeing.
Nova Scotia
For those living on the east coast, we recommend that you check out Nova Scotia’s Sugar Moon Farm. This foodie’s dream lets you spend your days on sugar tours, indulging in all-day brunch, and going on maple-tastings. In the evening you can attend Sugar Moon’s Chef Nights, where the Maritimes’ most notable chefs create unique dinners for guests.
P.E.I.
Fine, we couldn’t find too much to get up to in Canada’s smallest province during the winter, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still worth going to. If you want the freshest fish and lobster in the the country, it’s always worth a trip to the island.
canadianoceanfront.com
Newfoundland
From January to March, enjoy the season’s best outdoor adventures, including backcountry snowmobiling, skiing and snowboarding and zip lining at the Maritime’s Snow West festival. In the evening you can enjoy live music and fantastic local dining options, making this an outdoor festival worth braving the elements.
Bonus: Yukon
For those near the north this winter, you need to check out the Yukon Sourdough Rendezvous Festival in Whitehorse, which is the largest festival in the North each year. Running from February 19th-28th, guests can enjoy a selection of wacky entertainment in addition to the standard concerts and snow carving. You can also enter contests for lip synching, hair freezing, cross-dressing and, of course, beard growing. This festival was made to beat the winter blues by adding some unexpected excitement to the north.
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