Keen on a seasonal change? Canada sparkles in winter when the Great White North embraces the chill to deliver epic wintry experiences, from snowy resorts and icy ports to charming small towns and cosmopolitan cities bursting with festive fun. Discover why Canada is a winter wonderland like no other.
Embrace radical openness in Canada with open spaces, open minds and open hearts during a one-of-a-kind travel experience in winter with seasonal wonder in all 10 provinces and three territories.
Air Canada flies direct from Australia to Vancouver and onto multiple cities on its domestic network. It’s also a wonderful time of year to explore beyond the urban areas to experience the Northern Lights, cosy and cultural wintry activities, magical frozen landscapes and iceberg alleys, traditional food and festivals and snowsports galore.
Why Canada is a winter wonderland
Blanketed in snow and brimming with seasonal charm, Canada is the ultimate winter wonderland—especially for Aussies chasing the magic of a white Christmas.
Beyond the slopes, winter is the perfect time to embrace the country’s rich cultural scene, from world-class art galleries and museums to indulgent dining experiences. And when you’re ready to step back into the crisp, frosty air, adventure awaits with an exhilarating mix of outdoor thrills and cosy retreats.
Powder pedalling and soothing soaks
Think you have to put cycling on ice during winter? Try fat biking – mountain trail bikes with supersized tyres to grip the snow – in parks and trails across Canada. Visit Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park on Prince Edward Island with three delicious-sounding single-track trails – Shortbread, Buttertart and Maple Fudge.
You can also go fat biking in the Yukon’s Grey Mountain and Mount McIntyre as well as the multi-use Millennium Trail in Whitehorse. Just leave the Lycra at home and layer up in thermals.
Prefer to soak up the scenery? Submerge yourself in natural mineral hot springs for some thermal action at the likes of Banff Upper Hot Springs and Miette Hot Springs in Alberta, Yukon’s Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs and BC’s Fairmont Hot Springs.
Chasing auroras and waterfalls
With no light pollution from big cities and low humidity, head to the Northwest Territories and Yukon Territory to see the Northern Lights dance across the subarctic sky for a stellar 240 days each year. Indigenous-owned North Star Adventures in Yellowknife offers cool ways to see the aurora from a teepee or snowmobile with cultural commentary on traditions and history.
Many popular Canadian waterfalls, such as Niagara Falls in Ontario and Montmorency Falls near Québec City, partially freeze in winter, creating breathtaking natural sculptures and ice formations from falls frozen mid-cascade. It’s a mesmerizing sight—nature’s raw power suspended in time.
Ice, ice fishing
Casting around for an activity that pairs cultural traditions and the cool factor outdoors? Ice fishing fits the bill. Ontario is a top destination with multiple species to reel in at lakeside spots such as North Bay’s massive Lake Nipissing, Lake Joseph in Muskoka and Rice Lake in Southern Ontario.
Alberta’s aptly named Sturgeon Lake plus Bear and Snipe lakes are other go-to ice-fishing spots. Ice Fishing Alberta also uses sonar and underwater cameras to detect fish on guided trips near Canmore and Kananaskis Country plus other locations.
Why not combine two fave Yukon pastimes in one trip? North Country Outdoor Adventures will take you ice-fishing at sunset followed by Northern Lights viewing and a midnight fish feast.
Cross-country adventuring
Strap on some cross-country skis, skates or snowshoes and make some off-piste tracks. Near Québec City, learn about local history and traverse 95km of trails at an unconventional spot, Valcartier military base Le Centre Castor.
British Columbia’s Mount Washington on Vancouver Island has 55km of groomed Nordic ski trails, while in Alberta, you’ll find a network of forested trails between the famously picturesque sites of Banff National Park and Lake Louise to explore.
Ice-skating fans can carve it up on iconic waterways such as the historic Rideau Canal in the capital, Ottawa – the world’s largest outdoor rink; the cranberry-laced Ice Trail at Muskoka Lakes Farm & Winery near Toronto, Ontario; Old Montreal’s Bonsecours Basin in Québec and the famous turquoise Lake Louise in Alberta for a fairytale glide at night.
Celebrate Canada’s festive winter magic
‘Tis the season for ice-wining and dining. As well as all the Christmastime festivities, Canada goes all out for winter festivals, such as the three-week Winterlude in Ottawa with live ice carving, Indigenous culture and a giant snow playground.
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Festival du Voyageur celebrates French Canadian, Métis and First Nations cultures, while the Quebec Winter Carnival is the world’s largest with ice sculptures, parades, sporting events, outdoor dance parties and more.
Seasonal food traditions, such as poutine (gravy-topped cheese curds and fries), tourtière (French-Canadian meat pie) and maple-infused treats, bring quintessentially Canadian winter warmth.
Icewine made from frozen grapes, gets its own celebration – visit Niagara Falls in Ontario for the annual Niagara Icewine Festival to sample this specialty drop along with light shows, food pairings and cosy events.
Fast facts on why Canada is a winter wonderland:
- How to get there: Air Canada flies direct from Australia to Vancouver and beyond. You can also fly nonstop to Vancouver with Qantas or with one stop via Auckland with Air New Zealand and via Nadi with Fiji Airways.
- When to go: Canada’s winter runs from late December to late March, although ski season can extend from November through to May in some provinces.
- Did you know? You can stay in a bona fide ice hotel. Hôtel de Glace in Québec City pops up just for the season with suites carved from ice and even an ice bar.
- Yum fact: Love maple syrup? Try frozen maple taffy eaten straight from the snow.
- Eye spy: Some wildlife hibernate, but others are out and about in winter coats. Look for alpine animals like Arctic foxes and snowy owls that blend into the white background.
Sign up for the Canada Specialist Program
Register for the Canada Specialist Program (CSP) to learn more about Radical Openness and Canada’s diverse landscapes and experiences, gain access to exclusive content and valuable tools to help you promote and sell Canada plus network with other agents via the closed CSP Facebook group.
Discover more and open up to Canada at keepexploring.com.au
This article is brought to you by:
