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Charlottetown is a magnificent place to visit in the winter. Whether you’re spending a weekend or a few days, there’s something for everyone. Despite the small size of the island, there’s an abundance to be had in spite of the cold and snow — in fact, that’s exactly what makes the experience better!
Fine Winter Dining
The Winterdine Festival in Charlottetown occurs every year for two weekends in a row at the end of January and beginning of February, this fine dining in the city is when the local restaurants open their doors of an evening to celebrate Prince Edward Island’s local chefs and local culinary masterpieces. Spending a week on the Island just got even more authentic if you plan around Winterdine.
Enjoy Music Week
Music Week on the island runs throughout the same week as Winterdine. The week includes a showcasing of a variety of local musicians performing at venues in Charlottetown — so you can combine fine winter dining with fantastic local music. The week culminates with the PEI Music Awards Gala, so you get to check out too! For more information about Music Week, visit the event’s website.
Skiing at Brookvale Provincial Park
For those interested in a skiing vacation, Brookvale Provincial Park is the island’s only ski hill, offering both downhill and cross-country skiing. If you’re looking to spend a few days on the slopes, they also offer ski lessons at their “snow school”, and equipment rentals, so you don’t even have to bring your own gear! Skiing at Brookvale Provincial Park is a fantastic way to spend a few days on the Island.
Explore History!
Charlottetown is the birthplace of Confederation. And therefore it is packed with the history of Canada. In 1864, the Charlottetown Conference changed the course of Canada as a nation, when the three Canadian Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward were encouraged to form a Union by Britain, and become a British colony. However, the Province of Canada (including Quebec and Ontario) would have their interests represented by delegates. The outcome of the conference would lay the foundation for the unification of Canada as one nation under British rule. To that end, there are plenty of museums and historical buildings and monuments for you to explore. Spending a few days in Charlottetown is a must for any history buff visiting Atlantic Canada.
Check out the Jack Frost Festival!
The Jack Frost Festival in Charlottetown will take place during Islander day weekend (or Family Day for most of Canada) , it features three days of snow-filled fun for the whole family. This year, there’ll be lots for your children and you to do as the Jack Frost features face paintings, ice sculpting, sleigh rides and live music. For those wanting to come in from the cold, there’s the Indoor Playland for your kids, but for those braving the outdoors there’s also the Outdoor Snow Kingdom! Those three days in February are sure to make a great weekend away from home for you and the whole family.
Fat Biking!
Prince Edward Island has over 1000 kilometres of trails to explore. If you’re looking for an outdoorsy getaway on a bicycle, and own a fatbike, then PEI is your go-to-destination. Whether it’s dashing through the woodland trails meandering around trees, or out on the coastline braving the winter winds to capture the beauty of the frozen shores of PEI on a bicycle. Fat biking is a fantastic way to see the Island — and if you’re brave enough to brave the cold weather, you can make quite the holiday out of it, too.
Snowmobile Circumnavigation of the Island!
Prince Edward Island is home to over 1,000 kilometres of snowmobile trails which touch virtually every corner of the Island. It’s a fantastic way for you to experience Prince Edward Island from Charlottetown with relative speed and comfort – fast enough to cover good distances in a day, slow enough to take in the wintry beauty. You will have to purchase a trail pass from Prince Edward Island Snowmobile Association.
