How are you enjoying the season? Are you tired of spending your weekend watching movies or partying? Or is the season tempting you to snuggle by the fireside with a cup of hot chocolate? Indulge in these fun activities in and around Winnipeg and beat your winter blues. Put on your winter clothes, your mittens, your boots and have a super fun time.
Get outdoors, and enjoy winter in all its glory this season. A list of Winter activities, events and attractions to do in and around Winnipeg this winter season.
Contents:
I. Winter Festivals & Events
II. Winter Activities
III. Indoor Attractions
I. Winter Festivals & Events in Winnipeg
Canad Inns Winter Wonderland
When:
December 1, 2023 to January 6, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Closed on Christmas Day
Where:
Red River Exhibition Park
How much:
General Tickets: $20 +GST (plus service fee, where applicable)
Snowdance Festival of Winter and Music
Find those mittens your grandma made for you. Borrow your roommate’s boots. Put on all your long johns at once. Wear that really cool scarf that brings out the blue in your eyes. And head out to the woods for Snowdance, the wintery music festival at the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes. Details
When:
Saturday January 20, 2024 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Where:
Falcon Ridge Ski Resort, Falcon Beach
How much:
Tickets are $50, under 12 is free
Winnipeg Wine Festival
The Winnipeg Wine Festival is Manitoba’s premier food and wine event and the largest fundraising event for Special Olympics Manitoba. Details
When:
Inspire Gala Dinner – Thursday, January 25, 2024
Public Tastings – January 26-27, 2024
Where:
RBC Convention Centre, 375 York Ave, Winnipeg
How much:
Inspire Gala Dinner – $250 each
Public Tastings – $69.95 each
Raw:almond 2024
Multi-course meals prepared by some of North America’s finest chefs served on long communal tables in an elaborate temporary structure.
When:
January 25 – February 18, 2024
Where:
Assiniboine River, The Forks
How much:
$292.50
Winterruption 2024
Winterruption is an effort by Winnipeg’s best music venues to give you a great reason to leave your house in the dead of winter. Details
When:
January 23 – 28, 2024
Where:
Various locations in Winnipeg
How much:
$15 – $25 + tax + fees
Manitoba Ice Dragon Boat Festival
The Dream Factory is proud to partner with the MB Paddling Association to host one of Canada’s most unique winter events: The Manitoba Ice Dragon Boat Festival! Dragon boating is one of Winnipeg’s most popular summer events, so we are thrilled to “unleash the dragons” on the frozen water this February!! Details
When:
2024 dates TBA
Sunday, February 17, 2019 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where:
Manitoba Canoe and Kayak Club, 80 Churchill Drive, Winnipeg
How much:
Free
Festival Du Voyageur
Festival Du Voyageur is a celebration of French Canadian culture with great music, amazing food, captivating shows, sensational snow sculptures, and lights. Visit Winnipeg’s French quarter, Saint-Boniface, as it transforms into a winter paradise to host the largest winter festival in Western Canada.
When:
February 16 – 25, 2024
Where:
Voyageur Park, Winnipeg
How much:
Free and ticketed events
Winter Blues Fest
Get your tickets to the Winter Blue Fest. Details
When:
February 23 – 24, 2024
Where:
Times Change(d) High & Lonesome Club, 234 Main St., Winnipeg
How much:
Weekend pass $38.55
Hypothermic 1/2 Marathon
The Hypothermic Half Marathon is a winter half marathon and 10K event. Details
When:
Sunday February 25, 2024 | 7:30 AM
Where:
Whittier Park, 836 Rue St Joseph, Winnipeg
How much:
$75 – $80
Floppet: Falcon Lake Loppet 2024
The Floppet is a weekend long nordic festival that offers fun for all skier types and challenges for competitive athletes. There are multiple events with distances of: 7.6km, 17.5km, and 35km, all taking place in the community of Falcon Lake around the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes.
When:
Saturday, March 2, 2024
Where:
Falcon Lake around the Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes.
How much:
Register
Freeze Frame International Film Festival
Presenting films for all ages from all over the world, the Freeze Frame International Film Festival also conducts workshops as well as free events for the whole family. Details
When:
MMarch 10 – 16, 2024
Where:
Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, 244- 340 Provencher Blvd, Winnipeg
How much:
Single All-Access Pass: $20 / person
The Lake Shaker
An unforgettable evening in the wild, the Lake Shaker comes complete with all of your favorite winter experiences. You can count on warm bonfires, cold beverages, live music, outdoor adventure — and a few surprises. Details
When:
Saturday, March 2, 2024 | 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Where:
FortWhyte Alive, Winnipeg
How much:
$30 – $35
Winnipeg Scottish Festival
The Winnipeg Scottish Festival features programs and performances of Scottish tradition with bagpipers, drummers, musicians, vendors and various cultural displays. Details
When:
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Where:
Canadian Mennonite University Shaftesbury campus
How much:
Free and ticketed events
II. Winter Activities in Winnipeg
Cross Country Skiing, Skating & Tobogganing
Whether you decide to go cross country skiing, skate with friends or delight the child in you by sledding downhill, there are plenty of opportunities to stay active and enjoy great outdoors in Winnipeg.
For more details, see the list of Outdoor skating rinks, Tobogganing and sledding, and cross-country ski trails.
Strap on your skates and head out to the Guinness World Record-holding longest naturally frozen skating trail – the Nestaweya River Trail (2024 opening dates TBA). The trail is perfect for skating, sledding, snowshoeing, hiking, curling and even hockey. As you move down on a sunny afternoon, the trail with its snow-capped trees will truly remind you of a winter wonderland. You can find warming huts along the trail if you want to take a break from the cold.
Explore Winnipeg 150 Winter Park through walking or skating tours, day or night. Skate on well-maintained trails illuminated by enchanting lights leading to the CN Stage rink, enjoy scenic walks or twirls under The Canopy, sled down hills, capture memorable selfies under the Prairie Garden archway, and experience special playlists curated by Manitoba Music at CN Stage and The Canopy rink.
Snowboarding & Downhill Skiing in Manitoba
If you love the ice but want to try something other than skating, rent an ice bike from Kendrick’s Outdoor Adventures, and ride the Nestaweya River Trail. This unique ride is best for riders 4′ and up. They also offer ice trikes, fat bikes, skating assists, and snowshoes on rent.
Ice Fishing
When the temperature goes below freezing, ice fishing at Lake Winnipeg is a fun activity you can do alone, or with friends and family.
Ice Fishing at FortWhyte Alive.
Snowshoeing & Hiking
Winnipeg boasts of a number of parks and spaces where one can enjoy a great day of snowshoeing. Traverse the snowshoe trails at the La Barriere Park and the Assiniboine Park.
What better way is there to enjoy the winter landscape, than hiking the many trails that run through the city of Winnipeg.
Alternatively you can go on a Mural Trail and take in the different murals in and around Winnipeg. The Murals of Winnipeg website has a comprehensive list of the murals you can find in Winnipeg, including detailed description and Mural trails you can follow.
Disc Golf
The disc golf courses at Happyland Park, Kilcona Park, and La Barriere Park will challenge players of all ages.
FortWhyte Alive
FortWhyte Alive is an all-season destination in Winnipeg. In winter enjoy toboggan slides, nordic walking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and skating, ice fishing, and more.
FortWhyte Alive also conducts Winter day camps to connect youth with nature.
When:
Daily | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Where:
1961 McCreary Road, Winnipeg
How much:
Adults (18 – 64): $10; Seniors (65+): $9; Students & Children (3 – 17): $8; Children 2 and under: Free; First Nations, Inuit and Métis: Free
Oak Hammock Marsh
Strap on some snowshoes and explore the winter marsh looking for animal tracks. The interpretive Centre provides guided snowshoe hikes and snowshoes are available for rental.
Skaters can enjoy skating at the Cattail Pond. Visitors can also play pond hockey here.
On select days take part in Astronomy Night sessions where you can learn to capture the night sky with your lens, watch winter constellations and more.
When:
Year-round | Daily | 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
The Wetland Discovery Centre is currently closed for renovations. However, the trails remain open.
Where:
Located only 20 kilometers North of Winnipeg, on highway 67, between the town of Stonewall and the city of Selkirk.
1 Snow Goose Bay, R0C 2Z0
Lat: 50.173826, Lon: -97.132959
Ph: (204) 467-3300
How much:
Adult $10; Youth (3 – 17 years) $8; Senior (55+) $9; Family (2 adults and 4 children) $32
Winter in Manitoba Provincial Parks
Winter in Whiteshell Provincial Park is an experience not to be missed. Snowmobiling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, skating, cross-country skiing, sledging are but few of the activities that can be enjoyed here.
The 1200 hectares of wilderness at the Beaudry Provincial Park boasts of many trails for the visitors to explore in winter. A popular destination for cross-country skiers, the Park also offers great spaces for the snowshoer along the frozen Assiniboine River. Visitors at the Provincial Park can also enjoy snowmobiling.
Birds Hill Provincial Park offers designated trails for shoe-shoeing, the longest being the 3.5 km Cedar Bog Trail. Also enjoy cross-country skiing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and tobogganing. Keep your eyes open for white-tailed deers along the trails. In February, the Park hosts Winter Safari- a family event with theatre, campfire, bannocks and more.
Winnipeg 150 Winter Park
A truly wonderful winter destination right in the middle of the city: Winnipeg 150 Winter Park is the place to be this winter with activities including skiing, tobogganing, & snowboarding. Enjoy wagon rides and various other indigenous programming.
When:
Late December – February
Where:
The Forks, Winnipeg
How much:
Free
Birds Hill Park Ranch
If there is snow on the ground, go for a sleigh ride at Birds Hill Park Ranch. Enjoy trail rides while taking in crisp air and spectacular scenery and wildlife.
Where:
59 North Drive, Oakbank. ( 20 minutes east of Winnipeg)
Ph : ( 204) 222 -1137
How much:
Vary with activity
For a complete list of attractions, see Things to do in Winnipeg.
Warming Huts
Warming Huts is all about celebrating and embracing Manitoba’s winter. This is an annual Art + Architecture Competition on Ice that sees design entries from all over the world. The selected designs are then constructed and brought out to the Forks River trail for visitors to interact with and enjoy. Details
When:
Usually on display from the end of January to the end of the skating season
Where:
River trail, The Forks
Spring Hill Winter Sports Park
Located 15 minutes from downtown Winnipeg is a place for all kinds of winter adventure. The hill stands at 130 vertical feet and has three lifts: one quad chair lift, and two rope tows and includes Manitoba’s top terrain park, a tube park, a mogul run, a race run, and open areas for learning. Those who doesn’t have the gear for skiing or snowboarding, you can enjoy snow tubing. Details
When:
December – April | Daily | Hours vary
Where:
65036 Oasis Rd, Winnipeg Ph: 204 224-3051
How much:
Day Pass $19 – $39
Holiday Mountain Resort
Have a ski-in and ski-out winter holiday and take your pick from freestyle terrain park, 11 downhill runs at Manitoba’s most popular ski resort. Details
When:
Opening December 21, 2023
Where:
Holiday Mountain Resort, #12 Later Way
La Riviere ~ 2 hours drive. Ph: (204) 242-2172
How much:
Lift Tickets: Day time $35 – $54; Night Skiing: $32
Snow Maze
Home of the Guiness Book of World Record’s Largest Snow Maze! Enjoy warming areas with bonfires, slide down the giant snow mountain, relax in the warming barn or hop on a sleigh ride! Details
When:
Tentative opening date January 26, 2024; Until March
Where:
A Maze in Corn, 1351 MB-200, Saint Adolphe
Ph: 204-883-2048
How much:
$15 to $25
Windsor Park Nordic Centre
Windsor Park Nordic Centre is a not-for-profit nordic recreational facility maintained and operated by the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba. There are ~15 km of trails are groomed daily for both classic & skate technique. Moreover, all trails are lit for night skiing! Details
When:
Check the trail conditions before visiting.
Regular Season Hours are December through March
Where:
Windsor Park Nordic Centre, 10 Rue Des Meurons, Winnipeg
Ph: 204-253-9236
How much:
Day Pass: Family: $13, Adult: $6, Youth (11-17)/Senior (60+) $5
Falcon Ridge Ski Slope
Whether you explore 30km of world class nordic ski trails, test your skills at terrain park or twelve alpine ski runs, this ski resort with its hand crafted cabins and private hot tubs is a great winter weekend getaway near to home. Details
When:
Usually Open weekends + holidays during the winter months.
Snow Dance Festival (Music Festival): January 20, 2024
Floppet | Saturday, March 2, 2024
Where:
100 Ridge Road, Falcon Lake
Whiteshell Provincial Park, Manitoba
~ 2 hours from Winnipeg
How much:
Lift Tickets: Adult (18-61): $36, Youth (13-17): $29, Child (6-12) $23; Senior (70+) Free, Child (5 & under) Free
III. Indoor Activities
Assiniboine Park & Zoo
The Riley Family Duck Pond transforms to a skating rink during the winter months. Also located near the duck pond is the Toboggan Hill, another popular destination for those who love the feel of wind! If you want to enjoy the winter beauty of the park, there is no better way than to check out the ski trails (Ski Trail Map). The trails are typically groomed twice a week as weather permits and are open from 8 am to 10 pm during the season.
Located next to the Duck Pond is a pop-up patio, Cargo Bar! Head there for hot or cold beverages or hearty soups and enjoy their cozy fire. The Car Bar is open on Fridays from 4 pm to 8 pm and Saturdays – Sundays as well as holidays from 12 pm to 8 pm.
Take time out to visit the Zoo and learn about your favourite animals during the Weekend Keeper talks. Explore the award winning Journey to Churchill exhibit. Experience the beauty of the tundra as you move on to see snowy owls, moose, caribou, artic fox and other species. You can see polar bears swim and frolic with the seals through underground viewing tunnels. Step into an Artic landscape and experience the wonder of Northern lights at the domed Theatre. End your journey at the town of Churchill, where children can enjoy the Polar Playground.
When:
Assiniboine Park Zoo, Pavillion: Daily | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Nature Playground | Daily | 8:00 AM – Dusk
Where:
2355 Corydon Avenue, Winnipeg
Ph: (204) 927 – 7203
How much:
Zoo: Adults (18 – 59) $22.45 – $24.70; Student (with valid Student ID)/Seniors (60+) $19.65 – $21.60; Youth (3 – 17 years) $12.75 – $14; Children (2 and under) Free. GST extra
Manitoba Planetarium
Love the beauty of the Cosmos? The Planetarium at the Manitoba Museum can show you the galaxy in all its glory. The Planetarium offers different shows on Sundays and Saturdays including a guided tour of the night sky. If you are inspired by your visit to do some real star gazing, head out the Assiniboine Park. Their open light-free fields are great for night sky viewing.
When:
Tuesday – Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where:
How much:
Adult $8.40; Senior (65+) $7.35; Students/Youth (3-17): $6.30; Child (0 – 2)/Members/Indigenous People: Free
Play Golf
Just because the weather is cold doesn’t mean you should put away your golf clubs away for winter. There are two places nearby where you can enjoy this sport during the winter time.
The Golf Dome at Wilkes Avenue, boast of an indoor golf dome with over 50 stations on a three tier driving range. They also have virtual golf simulators that transplants you to the driving ranges at Banff Springs, Pebble Beach and other well known-golf courses. If you are new to this sport, you can try their 18-hole miniature golf course. This is a great option both for recreational and serious golfers.
Museums
Manitoba Children’s Museum is a wonderful way to spend a whole day indoors when it is snowing heavily outside. Learn science through fun and play.
Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame houses extensive collection that tells the history of sports in Manitoba.
The Manitoba Museum is a gem to visit any season. The museum offers many immersive experiences all dealing with Manitoba.
Spend the day at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, the first national museum built outside Ottawa. Take part in their interactive programs and see their thought-provoking exhibits. learn about Canada’s journey to greater rights and more.
Picture the life at the Red River in the 1800’s. See one of the oldest surviving building in Manitoba- the Seven Oaks House Museum. Although the building will remain closed for the winter, you can go on self-guided tours with historical photo galleries, video tours and more.
Royal Canadaian Mint: Explore this state-of-the-art facility to see how coins are made. View their extensive memorabilia collection. In-person tours are available from Tuesdays to Saturday during the winter season. Do call 204-984-1144 to book your reservation.
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