Vancouver 
Experience Canada through these twenty incredible activities and festivals celebrating the uniqueness of winter.
1. Inuvik Sunrise Festival
Photo Credit: Inuvik Sunrise Festival
The Town of Inuvik, located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, sees the sun fall below the horizon for a continuous stretch of 30 days beginning in early December. The return of the sun is celebrated every January by the Townsmen of Inuvik as the Sunrise Festival with local foods, dance, music and winter activities like snow carving, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Details
When: January 9 to 11, 2026
Fireworks display | Saturday night
Where: Inuvik, Northwest Territories
How much: Free
You may like:
Winter Getaways in Canada’s Territories
2. Ice Caves of Lake Superior
Photo Credit: Sheri Minardi/NorthernOntario.travel
See magnificent ice caves and ice formations on the shores of Lake Superior that begin when the temperature falls below freezing for more than 24 hours. As the waves from Lake Superior continue to wash over the primary ice that was formed, extraordinary ice creations are formed, rewarding you with stunningly beautiful ice caverns. Details
When: During a strong winter season – January – February
Where: Various locations, Shores of Lake Superior, Ontario
How much: Free/conservation area/provincial park fees if applicable.
3. Winter Bungee Jumping
Enjoy the thrill of bungee jumping to a 50-meter drop from the bridge high above the glacial-fed Cheakamus River. Details
When: Winter: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Open year-round)
Where: Whistler Bungee, 19-4314 Main St, Whistler, British Columbia
How much: $140/person (includng tax).
4. Icewalks in the Canadian Rockies
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
An icewalk is a guided winter adventure exploring frozen rivers, waterfalls, and ice formations in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Offered in areas like Jasper, Banff, Nordegg, and Kananaskis, icewalks provide safe access to dramatic canyon scenery using provided equipment such as ice cleats. Many tours are family-friendly, suitable for children as young as six, and can be combined with activities like snowshoeing, wildlife viewing, canyoning, or viewing Abraham Lake’s famous methane ice bubbles. Details
When: November – March
Where: Various Locations, Alberta
How much: Free and guided.
5. PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience
Climb the Guinness World Record holding PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola for a 4.4 km (11 minute) journey between the Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains to enjoy 360° view of British Columbia’s towering volcanic peaks, coastal rainforests, and ancient glaciers. There are also scenic walking trails, wildlife viewing, interpretive displays and more. Details
When: Winter: late November – late April | Daily
Where: Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains, 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia
How much: Adult (Ages 19-64): $152 Child (Ages 7-12): $71 Teen (Ages 13-18): $121 Senior (Ages65+): $128
6. Heli-Skiing!
Photo Credit: Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
Experience heli-skiing! Touch down atop pristine mountain peaks from a helicopter and ski thousands of feet of vertical powder. There are quite a few options for heli-skiing in Canada. Mike Wiegele Heliopter Skiing is recommended by the Canadian Tourism Commission and is a designated Canadian Signature Experience. Details
When: Early December through April
Where: Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, 1 Harwood Dr., Blue River, British Columbia
How much: Pricing depends on the package and the number of days.
7. Hotel de Glace — Quebec City’s Ice Hotel
Photo Credit: Clermont Poliquin
Hotel de Glace is the first and only true ice hotel in North America. First opened in 2001, visitors get to experience a unique Nordic adventure by staying the night in this magical environment. With its huge snow vaults, its crystalline ice sculptures, and its various rooms and suites, the Hôtel de Glace impresses with its dazzling decor. Details
When: January – March
Where: Hôtel de Glace Québec-Canada inc., 1860, boulevard Valcartier, Valcartier, Québec
How much: Various tours and experience packages are available.
8. Rideau Canal Skating
Photo Credit: Ottawa Tourism
Come winter, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the historic Rideau Canal, transforms into the world’s largest skating rink – the Rideau Canal Skateway with a total length of 7.8 km. During winter months, the rink hosts a daily average of 19,000 visitors. Details
When: January – late February/ early March, depending on weather conditions
Where: Rideau Canal Skateway, Ottawa, Ontario
How much: Access to the skateway is Free. Skates, sleighs and other equipment are available for rental.
9. Snowshoeing on Top of the World
A guided tour deep into the heart of Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a unique Rocky Mountain experience through untouched powder deep into Sunshine Meadows, flanked by some of the highest peaks in the Canadian Rockies. Follow the trading routes of First Nations peoples and listen to stories of the earliest discoveries. Details
When: November – late April Duration: ~3.5 h
Where: Sunshine Village Ski Resort, Banff, Alberta
How much: $172.48
10. Ice Magic Festival
Photo Credit: Banff Lake Louise Tourism/Paul Zizka
Set in the spectacular surroundings of Lake Louise, the Ice Magic Festival is a world-class event. Watch as talented ice artists from around the world skillfully combine gruelling physicality with precision artistry in an ice carving competition. Details
When: February 4-8, 2026
Where: Lake Louise, Banff, Alberta
How much: Complimentary for hotel guests
11. Experience Winter in a Boreal Forest
Photo Credit: Tourism Saskatchewan/Keith Starks
Explore a million acres of snow-covered wilderness. Cruise down a cross-country ski trail, float across the snow on a pair of snowshoes, relax by the campfire with friends and family, or listen to the call of the wolves in the distance. Details
Guided Tour: Follow tracks of the wildlife, learn about the wildlife in this region, go on guided dog-sled excursion, relax at the Elk Ridge Resort, learn essential winter skills, spend overnight in a quinzhee’ or snow shelter and more during this unique winter experience. Details
When: Winter months
Where: Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan
Guided Tour Organized by Sundogs Excursions, 2831 Hwy #2. Located just off Highway #2, 65 km birth of Prince Albert, SK.
How much: Park Admission
Guided Tour: You can choose 1 – 5 nights with a range of accommodations and experiences. Rates will be determined by adventures, transportation and duration chosen by guests.
12. The Den
Credit: The Den
Conceived by Clint Masse, the renowned snow architect known for creating the world’s largest snow maze, The Den is an architectural marvel crafted from over 500,000 pounds of snow. Details
When: February 12 – March 7, 2026
Where: The Den Restaurant, 1351 PR 200, St Adolphe
How much:$235 per person
13. Winter Carnival Quebec
Experience one of the world’s largest winter carnivals! The festival offers a range of activities for all ages, including a snow bath, ice canoe races, night parades, snow slides, giant foosball, snow sculptures, shows, sleigh rides, and skating. Details
When:February 6 to 15, 2026
Where: Plains of Abraham, Quebec City, Quebec
How much: $29 & up
14. Winterlude: A Capital Celebration of Winter
Photo Credit: Ottawa Tourism
Winterlude is the Capital’s winter celebration held each year in the Ottawa–Gatineau region, which celebrates Canada’s unique northern climate and culture. A family-friendly event, Winterlude features the world’s largest skating rink, ice-carving competitions, snow sculptures, and winter playgrounds. In addition, there are a variety of activities, including arts, culture, music, theatre, comedy, sports, culinary arts, science and technology, and more! Details
When: Usually in the first two weeks of February – January 30 to February 16, 2026
Where: Confederation Park, Jacques-Cartier Park, Rideau Canal Skateway and other locations in the capital region.
How much: Some Winterlude activities are free, and others have fees.
15. The World’s Largest Snow Maze
A Maze In Corn
Get lost in the Guinness Book of World Records’ Largest Snow Maze! Enjoy the challenge of the snowy maze, admire the snow carvings and buildings, slide down Snow Mountain, warm up by a bonfire, be brave and try the Giant Luge run, try a variety of snow games, and of course, a cup of hot chocolate, or an adult drink at The Snow Bar. Details
When: mid-January to mid-March
Where: A Maze In Corn, Saint Adolphe, Manitoba
How much: $16 to $26
15. World’s Largest Polar Bear Denning Area
Photo Credit: Travel Manitoba
Wapusk National Park safeguards one of the world’s largest concentrations of polar bear maternity dens and is where most Western Hudson Bay cubs are born. Pregnant females den inland, giving birth in late November or early December before emerging with cubs in February or March to travel toward Hudson Bay. Located nearby, Wat’chee Expeditions operates briefly each winter, offering rare Parks Canada-permitted access to observe polar bear mothers and cubs, along with other Arctic wildlife and northern wilderness scenery. Details
When: February 18th to March 18th, 2026
Where: 40 miles south of Churchill, Manitoba
How much: Varies
16. Watch the Dancing Lights over the Northern Skies
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
Ribbons of glowing green, white and red swirl and dance across the Yukon sky. Join a tour or congregate with the locals away from the city lights to enjoy the spectacle together. Details
When: From fall until spring, best in winter.
Where: Various locations – Yukon. (Also viewable from most Northern Locations of Canada)
How much: Free to watch, packages vary
17. World Pond Hockey Championships
Every year more than 100 teams from around the world compete for the World Pond Hockey Championship. This is “four-on-four” play, with no goaltenders and is held on a lake. Details
When: Mid February – February 19 to 22, 2026
Where: 159 Main Street, Plaster Rock, New Brunswick
How much: Participating teams must register in advance/Spectators are welcome
18. Waterfall Ice Climbing
Photo Credit: Canadian Tourism Commission
Experience the thrill of climbing a classic multi-pitch waterfall in Jasper National Park! With barely a steady drip of water, the formation of these incredible ice features thoughout the park creates a climbable and dynamic median to test your adventure skills. Details
When: Winter – Guided: Dec 1 – Mar 31
Where:Various locations: Jasper National Park, Alberta
Maligne Canyon, Tangle Creek, Panther Falls, Weeping Wall, WAD Valley
How much: Varies. Guided with Rockaboo Adventures
19. Winter in Niagara Falls
Photo Credit: Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation
See the mighty Falls battling the power of Jack Frost! Enjoy the sight of Niagara Falls framed by glistening icicles reflecting the magical winter lights. Details
When: Winter – Visit after heavy snowfall and a few days of below-freezing temperatures.
Where: Niagara Falls, Ontario
How much: Free
20. Storm Watching
Winter in Tofino showcases dramatic storm watching, with powerful winds, towering waves, and intense rainfall along its exposed coastline. Experience these awe-inspiring storms from beaches, trails, or cozy viewpoints, balancing raw natural force with warm local hospitality. Winter tides can be extreme, so timing beach walks and observing safety precautions is essential.
Iconic locations like Chesterman Beach, Cox Bay, Long Beach, Wickaninnish Beach, and Florencia Bay offer unforgettable perspectives on this natural spectacle. Details
When: Winter
Where: Various Locations, Tofino
How much: Free/National Park Fees
22. Ski at Canada’s World-Class Ski Resorts
Photo Credit: Lake Louise Ski Resort
Big White Ski Resort, 5315 Big White Rd, Kelowna, British Columbia
Fernie Alpine Resort, 5339 Ski Hill Road, Fernie, British Columbia
Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta
Le Massif, Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec
Kicking Horse, 1500 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden, British Columbia
Mt Norquay, Banff National Park, Alberta
Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
Red Mountain Resort, 4300 Red Mountain Rd, Rossland,British Columbia
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, 2950 Camozzi Rd, Revelstoke, British Columbia
Sun Peaks Resort, Kamloops, British Columbia
Sunshine Ski Resort, Sunshine Village, Banff National Park, Alberta
Whistler Blackcomb, 4545 Blackcomb Way, Whistler, British Columbia
Whitewater Ski Resort, 1 Whitewater Rd, Nelson, British Columbia
Rates may not include any applicable taxes or fees and may change without notice. Please verify all information before travelling.
this is awesome but make more places that I should go in the winter because I have nothing in my winter to-do list or to go list