
Credit: Marble Zip Tours
Newfoundland & Labrador is known for being a very snowy province that loves to celebrate winter. So, take some time this winter to get out into the snow and do some fun activities while you explore Newfoundland’s beautiful landscapes. When you have had enough of the outdoors, you can head inside to relax and warm up. Here are some great activities that you can take part in around Canada’s east most province this winter.
I. OUTDOOR WINTER FUN
1. Marble Zip Tours
Exit 8 Trans Canada highway
Steady Brook
2. Marble Mountain Resort
Hit the slopes and have some winter fun at Marble Mountain Resort. Marble Mountain is known for its diverse ski and snowboard terrain and events. It is also the highest mountain peak you can ski in the Maritimes. There is also an extensive ATV and Snowmobile trail network to explore.
Exit 8, from Route 1, Steady Brook
3. North Atlantic Ziplines
Fly high (and fast) on a zipline with North Atlantic Ziplines and enjoy the snowladen beauty of St. John’s Coastline. Each tour has ten lines and is suitable for up to fifteen people. Details
32 Main Road, Petty Harbour, Petty Harbour
4. White Hills Resort
White Hills Resort has winter fun for all ages. You can hit the slopes for downhill skiing or snowboarding, or explore their beautiful trails by going cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. There are lessons available for beginners from experienced instructors.
100 White Hills Rd, Clarenville
5. Smokey Mountain Ski Club
Smokey Mountain Ski Club may be Atlantic Canada’s best-kept winter secret. Smokey Mountain has 100% natural snow and has the longest season in Atlantic Canada, which makes it is a ‘must’ check out this winter for people who love to hit the slopes for some serious winter fun.
Smokey Mountain Rd, Labrador City
6. The Wilds at Salmonier River
Explore the undisturbed wilderness while not being too far from the amenities of home. During the winter, you can hike, snowshoe and cross-country ski through the gorgeous winter landscape.
Details
299 Salmonier Line, Salmonier Line
7. Bill’s Woods Hiking Trail
Hike or cross-country ski the 5,400 feet of trail that offers views of the beautiful pond and majestic mountains. The trail links to other developments and a rest area.
Details
Route 430, Daniel’s Harbour
8. Joe Batt’s Point Walking Trail
Stroll along the North Atlantic Coastline and see the Great Auk Statue in the winter. This winter hike is a 4.6km round trip.
Details
Southside Road, Joe Batt’s Arm, Fogo Island
9. Pasadena Ski and Nature Park
Located in the lovely Humber Valley is the scenic Pasadena Ski and Nature Park. Explore the over 18km of beautifully groomed cross-country ski trails along with 6km snowshoe and winter hiking trails. During the winter, the chalet is open every day from 9 am to 4:30 pm.
Details
Nordic Drive, Pasadena
10. Mount Pearl Trailway System
Explore Mount Pearl in winter. This trail system links all neighbourhoods and parks around Mount Pearl. It is over 60km long and its a popular walking trail, even in the winter.
Details
Mount Pearl, NL
11. Waterman’s Brook Walking Trail
Details
Highway 333, Fogo, Fogo Island
12. Ice Fishing Catch & Cook
Go on a guided Ice Fishing Adventure with an experienced guide. The package includes transportation, Ice fishing hut, auger, ice fishing poles, bait and lures, fish finder battery pack for phones, and cooking.
Details
1007 Thorburn Rd, Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s
From $90
13. Airport Nordic Ski Club
Overlooking Gander Lake with Mount Peyton, Airport Nordic Ski Club offers 16km of machine groomed cross-country trails and 6km of snow shoeing trails. Equipment available through ski loan programs.
Details
Trans Canada Highway, Gander
14. Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club
Explore the over 50km of snowshoe and groomed cross ski trails. After walking or skiing in a winter wonderland, warm up in the beautiful chalet.
Details
520 North West River Road, Happy Valley-Goose Bay
15. Menihek Nordic Ski Club
Cross-country ski through the Birch and Spruce Forest around the scenic Wapusakatto Mountains. Warm up in the spacious lodge that includes an indoor barbecue pit, canteen and waxing facilities.
Details
Smokey Mountain Road, Labrador City
16. Whaleback Nordic Ski Club
Whaleback Nordic Ski Club offers 25 kilometres of daily groomed cross-country skiing trails. See the winter forest scenes at night on the 2.5km night lighted trail.
Details
Cold Brook Road, and Route 460, Stephenville
17. Lester’s Family Farm
Go dashing through the snow at Lester’s Farm this winter. Mike and Molly are our brother-sister pair or Percherons are happy to pull you and your family through a winter wonderland. Warm up after the ride with a hot cocoa and freshly baked cookie from the chalet.
Details
Lester’s Family Farm, 92 Pearltown Road, St. John’s
$25 per group for private sleigh rides
18. Cache Rapids Stable
Gather up your friends and family for an old fashioned horse drawn sleigh ride. Cozy up under a blanket and enjoy hot chocolate as the wagon glides through the snow.
Details
Cache Rapids Stables, 255 Reidville Road, Reidville
$20
19. Ice Fishing in Labrador West
Labrador West is surrounded by lakes teeming with Speckled and Lake Trout, along Northern Pike, White Fish and Ouananich. Wait for the lakes to freeze, then get your drill and fishing pole and try your hand at ice fishing.
Details
Labrador West
20. Flower’s Cove Hike ‘n’ Picnic
Hike to Flower Cove and have a traditional Newfoundland boil-up over an open fire. During the hike you can spot wild animals like moose, and take in the amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Details
126 Elliston Street, Elliston
From $60
21. Gros Morne National Park
II. WINTER FESTIVALS

Credit: Mount Pearl Frosty Festival
1. Wintertide Music Festival
The classical chamber music will be filled with music by Canada’s Duo Concertante and some local singers. The Wintertide Music Festival is a celebration of classical music.
Corner Brook
January 10 – 12, 2020
2. Pippy Snowbike Festival
Snow does not stop biking fun at Pippy Park. Experience what it is like to fat bike through the snow during the annual Pippy Snowbike Festival. Make sure to dress warm as it is cold and icy out there.The Pippy Snowbike Festival is an annual 1-day event, with some 85 or more riders taking part in a group ride through the tranquil, scenic, snowy trails of Pippy Park in St. John’s. The day also includes fatbike demo rides, plenty of prizes from our many sponsors, and a great post-ride reception with beverages, snacks, and all kinds of fatbike, winter riding banter!
Details
2020 date TBA, annual 1-day event usually held in late January or early February
Pippy Park, 34 Nagles Planes, St. John’s
3. Eat The Hill
Warm up at the White Hills Resort with great food and music. Hit the slopes and eat the hill offer this two day festival.
Details
January 17 – 18, 2020
100 White Hills Road, Clarenville
From $69.99
4. Grand Bank Winter Carnival
Don’t let the winter blues get you down. Dress warmly and head outside for a week packed with family fun. Go skating, try your hand at snow sculpting, warm-up at community suppers and more.
Details
January 27 to February 2, 2020
Grand Bank
5. Snow & Ice in Paradise
Details
January 31 to February 9, 2020
Around Paradise
6. City of St. John’s ChillFest
There’s something for everyone at the City of St. John’s ChillFest 2020. Take part in outdoor and indoor events and have a great time with your family. Spend time with friends at kitchen parties, skating parties, sledding and so much more.
Details
February 1 to 29, 2020
Various venues in St. Johns
Free
7. Wintertainment
Shake off the winter blues at the annual Wintertainment festival in Clarenville. Events take place at White Hills Ski Resort and other venues throughout the community. You are sure to have lots of fun in the snow.
Details
February 7 to 16, 2020
Clarenville
8. Conception Bay South Winterfest
Winterfest is an annual celebration that takes place around Conception Bay South. Dress warmly and spend some time in the snow or watch the hockey tournament games.
Details
February 8 to 15, 2020
Around Conception Bay South
9. Mount Pearl Frosty Festival
The Mount Pearl Frosty Festival takes place in the middle of February and hosts over 80 events, which makes it the largest winter event in Atlantic Canada. You can check out their website for a full list of events taking place.
Mount Pearl
February 5 – 16, 2020
10. Mid Winter Bivver
Details
February 14 – 15, 2020
Explotis Valley, Grand Falls – Windsor
11. Deer Lake Winterfest
Deer Lake Winterfest is a wonderful week of winter fun for the whole family. Do some sliding, try your hand at snow sculpting, go skating outdoors, watch the firework display and so much more.
Details
February 1 to 9, 2020
Deer Lake
12. Botwood Bayside Blizzard Winter Carnival
Details
February 24 to March 6, 2020
Route 350 Botwood
13. Town of Middle Arms Winter Festival
The Town of Middle Arm welcomes everyone for their 6-day festival that offers hot supper, cold lunches, Chase the Ace and finishes off with the popular Winter Snow Slam races.
Details
March 2 to 7, 2020
Middle Arm
14. Middle Arm’s Snow Slam
This one day family event is packed with loads of snow fun. Watch the Skidoo races, listen to local music and enjoy the delicious local cuisine.
Details
March 7, 2020
Middle Arm’s Cove
15. Cain’s Quest Snowmobile Endurance Race
Take on the world’s toughest and longest snowmobile endurance race. This 3,100-kilometre race has two teams tracking through deep snow and thickly wooded areas in the most remote parts of Labrador.
Details
March 4 to 14, 2020
Baden Powell Road, Labrador City
16. Tikigiaksaugusik Festival
Tikigiaksaugusik is the Inukitut word for ‘gathering place’. The festival is known for events like the Francis Campbell Memorial shoot out, Levi Pottle Dog team race and family games at the cove.
Details
March 11 to 14, 2020
Rigolet
17. 2020 Canadian Masters
A weekend of races on Menihek Nordic trails capped off with a series of social events and medal presentations bringing cross-country skiers from across Canada to Labrador West.
Labrador City
March 26 to 29, 2020
18. Great Labrador Loppet
The Great Labrador Loppet is one of the finest events that takes place in the city, and is hosted by the Menihek Nordic Ski Club. There are four courses that you can pick from along the beautifully groomed trails all the way from Fermont, Quebec to Labrador City. Each course has many rest stops and food stations along the way. After the event is finished, you can enjoy the evening banquet and medal presentation.
Labrador City
April 1 to 18, 2020
III. OTHER FUN THINGS TO DO
1. Brew Bus Tours
The craft beer scene is growing quickly in Newfoundland. Taste what Newfoundland has been brewing up on this 6-hour tour. Stops include the Dildo Brewery Company & Museum, Baccalieu Trail Brewing Co and Newfoundland Distillery Co.
Details
566 Water Street, St. John’s
$95 Per Person
2. Workshops and Food Excursions by Cod Sounds
Cod Sounds aim is to keep cultural food on Newfoundlanders plates for generations to come with the tradition based workshops. Learn how to prepare meats from hurting or farming.
Details
$150
3. Mad Catter Cafe
Warm up with a cup of coffee and petting cats at Newfoundland’s first cat cafe. Don’t worry if you have a cat allergy, the cafe and cat area and separated. If you make a new furry friend at the cafe and when to take them home, the cats are available to adopt through the St. John’s Human Service’s Animal Care and Adoption Centre.
Details
124 Duckworth Street. St. John’s
4. Newfound Sushi
Being surrounded by water, it is no wonder that Newfoundland is known for its fresh seafood. One of the top ranked restaurants in Corner Brook, Newfound Sushi is known for its fresh sashimi, and Snow West Roll, which is tempura shrimp, sriracha, avocado, spicy sauce, and local snow crab.
Details
117 Broadway, Corner Brook
5. Grates Cove Studio
A mixture of art, food, and breathtaking views, make the drive to the northern tip of the Avalon Peninsula worth it. Grates Cove Studio serves eclectic dishes made with local ingredients including lobster pie, and Korean vegetable pancakes. They also offer cooking classes and boxed picnics.
Details
Grates Cove Studios, Main Road, Grates Cove
6. Axtion Climb
Kids can climb, slide, bounce, ride and bump their way around Axtion. The indoor amusement park is fun for all ages. They even have a toddler area for younger children.
Details
55 Hebron Way, St. John’s
From $10
7. GForce Funder Dome
Details
2 Corisande Drive, Mount Pearl
From $15
8. Xheight Zone
Bounce around and burn off extra energy at Xheight Zone. There are two courses to pick from. The whole family can exercise, have fun and spend time with each other. Parents can also relax while kids burn off their extra energy.
Details
35 Cataline Drive, Gander
9. The Rooms
Explore Newfoundland’s largest public cultural space on a snow day. The Rooms is home to an extensive collection of art, and artifacts. They also house travelling exhibits and host events and classes regularly.
Details
9 Bonaventure Ave, St. John’s
From $5
10. Johnson GEO CENTRE
If the snow is too much for you, check out the 14 unique attractions at the Johnson GEO CENTRE. The GEO CENTRE was designed to be fun and educational for all ages. Make sure to watch a show in the Steele 2D & 3D theatre.
Details
175 Signal Hill Road, St. John’s
From $6
11. BreakoutNL
Test your puzzle and problem-solving skills at BreakoutNL. Invite some friends along and see if you can solve all the puzzles before time runs out. This is a fun way of spending some time inside.
Details
1399 Torbay Road, Torbay
12. The Doctors House Inn & Spa
Relax in a winter wonderland with an oceanfront view. Have a relaxing spa day in the full service spa, or stay a while in the Inn. You can even warm up and treat yourself with an amazing gourmet meal at The Secret Garden.
Details
21 Old Hopeall Road, Green’s Harbour
13. The Screech Room
It is a well-known fact that being ‘Screeched-In’ has become a must for anyone who travels to Newfoundland. Along with being a traditional drink, Screech is also used in many delicious local dishes. The Screech Room provides the full Screech experience for those who visit Newfoundland.
6 Cathedral St, St. John’s

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