Things to do in Canada, If you were to choose a season to visit Canada, winter is without a doubt the greatest option. Not that the country is less beautiful or that there are less things to do in the summer, but winter provides a chance to engage in remarkable activities that can only be done in the snow, ice, and cold!
To persuade you to visit Canada this winter, we’ve compiled a list of the greatest winter activities in Canada. And you’ll notice that you won’t be bored!
1. A dog sled ride
A dog sled ride is a “classic” winter activity in Canada, and this is true across the country. However, keep in mind that the finest sites to engage in this sport are in Quebec, the Rockies, and the Yukon. This is also where the legendary Yukon Quest, an endurance race between the Yukon and Alaska, begins.
Many ski resorts in Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia offer dog sledding. If you’re going to ski or snowboard in Canada, spend at least half a day with the huskies!
2. A horse-drawn sleigh ride
Huskies aren’t the only animals who pull sleds; in Canada, you can also enjoy a sleigh ride on horseback. Ski resorts in Canada often provide this sport as a way to go from one location to another or to enjoy a stroll in a snowy environment.
3. Take the handlebars of a snowmobile
Snowmobiling in Canada during the winter is a must-do activity. Indeed, the skidoo (named after a company) was conceived in Quebec, therefore it is not unexpected that the greatest snowmobile places are in Quebec. However, no matter where you go in Canada, you will always be able to ride a snowmobile…wherever there is snow.
Many local travel businesses provide snowmobile days during longer or shorter vacations.
4. A snowshoe hike
You’ve probably observed that spending the winter in Canada results in a sporty vacation! Snowshoeing is one of the top winter activities in Canada. As long as you are accompanied by an expert guide, this mode of transportation enables you to visit frequently secluded locations, great for watching nature and animals.
A snowshoe expedition, on the other hand, is far from a casual health stroll. This will provide you with the equivalent of a decent exercise, allowing you to appreciate a spa experience a bit more at the end of the day.
5. Immerse yourself in the hot water of an outdoor spa
Soaking in an outdoor hot tub as snow falls around you is an unforgettable experience. Outdoor hot tubs are available at the majority of winter resorts.
6. Fish under the ice
Ice fishing is feasible everywhere there is a frozen lake (also called ice fishing). There are several sites where you can remain warm in a heated hut and fish in a hole in the ice for the more cold (best not to be chilly if you wish to visit Canada in winter).
In the Northwest Territories, ice fishing is a way of life (northern Canada). On an inland lake, you may fish for trout or pike.
7. Ice hiking
Some of the magnificent views that may be seen during an ice walk are caves and frozen waterfalls. The most popular sites in the Rocky Mountains are Maligne Canyon and Johnston Canyon. To tour these canyons, you will be accompanied by an expert guide and will be outfitted with special shoes before walking into the ice canyon. With ice caverns, natural ice sculptures, and petrified waterfalls, you’ll feel as if you’ve entered an ice realm.
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8. Skating on a frozen lake
In the winter, cities like as Montreal and Quebec, as well as most winter sports destinations, feature public ice rinks. Skating on Lake Louise, on the other hand, is a far more exhilarating experience. Rent skates and glide over the ice of the frozen lake, which is cleaned on a regular basis. The lake is surrounded by the Victoria Glacier and the Rocky Mountains, making for a beautiful scene.
9. Sleep in the Ice Hotel
The Hôtel de Glace (or Ice Hotel), located near Quebec City, has become a symbol of Eastern Canada, with its lofty ceilings, snow vaults, and ice sculptures. There are 44 rooms with solid ice beds. Although the “beds” have an ice-top mattress and lots of blankets, most visitors at this pop-up hotel sleep in duvets built expressly for very cold nights.
10. Ride a snow buggy
Your new toy is the snow buggy, not the snowmobile or quad! Because you will be sitting side by side, you will be able to enjoy a ride for two. The Snow Buggy drives like a toy vehicle and is completely automated. It’s similar to riding a quad, but considerably more manoeuvrable and safe.
11. Look up and watch the Northern Lights show
It’s incredible to look up at the sky and see a curtain of green lights. Nature provides us with a bizarre show in the form of the Northern Lights. Between the months of September and May, they might appear at any moment in the sky. Seeing them in person significantly outweighs the pleasure of seeing them on TV in a documentary. In Canada, the sky transforms into a massive screen of changing hues. Is it a spell? Sure thing!
12. Become life-size artists with snow tagging
Here’s a winter activity you’ve most likely never heard of. Snow tagging (or graphineige) is the process of making a massive painting on the surface of a frozen lake using the tracks of your snowshoe steps. Starting with a picture sketched on a piece of paper, you may make all kinds of massive artwork, such as “crop-circles” in the fields.
This sport originated in Quebec, and you may get a compass to make your own designs in the snow at the Mauricie National Park. Isn’t it lovely?
What is the best way to visit Canada in the winter?
Many individuals prefer to plan their vacations from start to finish without using a travel agency. We like doing it for the sake of more freedom. However, visiting Canada in the winter is a another story! Agencies may arrange a whole stay for you, including snowmobile rides, dog sledding, ice fishing, and other activities, as well as lodging in a hostel in the centre of wilderness and a round-trip flight from Paris. In summary, it’s really tempting when you don’t know the area and need to plan an all-inclusive stay but don’t know who to call.