Have a great Canadian winter

Winter in Canada is something to celebrate. For a healthy dose of below-zero magic, lean into it with a thermos in hand, a toque on your head, layers of warm clothing, and an infinite sense of curiosity and adventure.

In Quebec City, winter makes an unforgettable entrance. The ‘Old Town’ almost doubles as a life-sized European snow globe, complete with cobblestone streets, old-fashioned store fronts, and twinkling lights. Glistening ice sculptures will catch your eye, and so will the view of the historic Château Frontenac looming in the background. It’s the perfect place to sip a hot beverage, indulge in decadent foods, and marvel at the beauty that the season brings.

Yellowknife offers a winter experience like no other. With the sun dipping below the horizon in the afternoon, and less than five hours of sunlight each day, the sky often rewards visitors with dazzling displays of Northern lights. They might even make you forget the biting cold that surrounds you, and each exhaled breath that visually suspends in the air before slowly dissipating into the darkness of night.

For splendid alpine scenes, Whistler delivers equal parts outdoor ruggedness and cozy indoor comfort. Snow-draped peaks set the stage for world-class skiing and snowboarding, while the village hums with firepits, the sound of boots crunching on fresh powder, and après-ski energy. Take a lap in snowshoes through silent forests, or a gondola ride that whisks you away to breathtaking vantage points high above it all, before settling in for an evening with cocktail menus and internationally inspired cuisine.

Dog sledding in Mont Tremblant is winter poetry on four legs, a rush of adrenaline, and unfettered awe. An eager team of huskies takes you through snow-covered forests, with the sound of sled runners zipping over frozen ground. Sled dogs live for these moments when they can take you along for the ride to whiz past spruce-lined trails and frozen lakes. You’ll be filled with adrenaline and awe as you learn to steer, brake, and trust the pull of the pack, before finishing with frozen cheeks, and a heart full of joy.

Here in Manitoba, Churchill offers a truly unique winter playground. Out on the windswept tundra, the cold has its own style, with the peaceful sounds of silence ringing through loud and clear. Witness wildlife like Arctic foxes, hares, wolves, caribou, ptarmigan, and snowy owls in their natural habitat. You might even get a glimpse of Churchill’s headlining act – polar bears – as they wait on land for the Hudson Bay to freeze over.

You can’t talk about winter vibes without including our dear city. Yes, it might be bitterly cold in Winnipeg sometimes. But it’s also hot with winter activities such as Festival du Voyageur. The annual 10-day celebration turns historic French-Canadian culture into a celebration that is home to incredible snow sculptures, entertainment, stories and games, and a pop-up bar built out of ice. It’s definitely one of Canada’s coolest settings, and one more reason to enjoy winter.