Travel Expert's Guide to Canada in Winter

Canada's winter means snow on the streets, ice skating on the lakes, and Northern Lights in the skies.

The most beautiful places to visit in Canada in winter embrace the cold weather wholeheartedly.

This is our guide to the best places to visit in Canada in winter, where you’ll discover your own winter wonderland. That means, whether you're looking for a relaxing trip through Canada's natural beauty or an exciting winter trip filled with seasonal activities and experiences, we're ready to help.

And if you see something you like, or are looking for something unique, reach out, and a Travel Designer will be in touch to help you begin planning your escape.

Winter in Canada at a Glance:

• The winter season in Canada is between November and early April
• Activities include snowshoeing, ice skating, dog sledding, and Aurora Borealis viewing
• The best Canada winter vacation spots include the Canadian Rockies for skiing and snowshoeing, Quebec for Christmas markets and ice skating, and the Yukon for Northern Lights viewing

Where to Go for Winter in Canada

The Great White North is full of alluring destinations for a winter vacation in Canada. These are our favorites, and the ones we recommend to guests the most.

Credit: Destination Canada

Quebec City

Quebec City is the best city in Canada to visit in winter thanks to its Christmas markets, snow-covered streets, and picturesque historic architecture.

Snow in Quebec City typically begins in late November, settles in December, and lasts until March. So in winter, it is beautifully atmospheric. Twinkling lights arc overhead, warmly decorated storefronts line the streets, and snow coats the cobblestones.

One of Canada's most enchanting Christmas markets is found in Old Quebec. The German Christmas Market — or the Le Marché de Noël allemand de Québec — spreads throughout the cobbled streets and quaint squares at five different sites across the neighborhood.

Whether you're visiting during the holidays or not, we recommend taking a walking tour of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The neighborhood is best experienced on foot, as you wander along narrow roads and embed yourself in its atmosphere. But a guided tour lets you in, seeing beyond tourist attractions to discover the centuries-old history and culture of the place.

Credit: Banff Lake Louise Tourism / Noel Hendrickson

The Canadian Rockies

The Canadian Rockies are the best place in Canada for winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and dog sledding.

In winter, the picturesque snow-capped mountains and frozen lakes give way to snowshoeing and outdoor ice skating. Our favorite, though, is the chance to walk at the bottom of a frozen canyon. Usually filled with rushing water, in winter the waterfalls freeze in Johnston Canyon and create haunting forms

Explore mountain towns like Banff — and, while there, see the snow sculptures at the SnowDays Festival in mid-January to mid-February — and Jasper.

As another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mountains are recognized for their outstanding universal value and protection of their natural beauty. For the most intimate experience, a winter trip invites you to peaceful scenery with far fewer crowds.

Credit: Tourisme Montréal / Eva Blue

Montreal

Winter in Montreal offers a unique blend of history, French-Canadian culture, and festive events, making it one of the top cities to visit in Canada in winter, alongside its neighbor Quebec City.

Montreal combines a long history and beautiful Old Town with a vibrant urban scene. This means incredible food — both traditional and experimental — cobblestone streets above, an underground city below, and year-round festivals.

We recommend wandering the snow-dusted streets of Old Montreal on a walking tour, choosing between learning its history or uncovering its iconic dishes — there is no better time than winter to sample a steaming poutine or a fresh-from-the-oven bagel.

At the end of February, the city celebrates the culmination of winter with Montreal en Lumière, the city's largest winter festival, and one of the largest winter festivals in the world. Preserving its vibrant culture year-round, Montreal en Lumière is a 10-day celebration that combines impressive outdoor illuminations, circus spectacles, and free activities with fine-dining experiences to create an exciting and uniquely Montreal winter experience.

If you're worried about the cold, over 20 miles of passages make up Montreal's Underground City, also known as RESO. They link metro stations to shopping malls, food markets, cultural centers, and art museums. We recommend starting at Complexe Desjardins and exploring from there.

Credit: Anthony Maw on Unsplash

Vancouver

Vancouver has one of Canada's mildest winters, making it the perfect Canadian destination to avoid the cold. Typically, temperatures hover around 45°F, and Vancouver does not see snow for more than a few days each year — though the North Shore Mountains behind the city are beautifully snow-capped from December until March or early April.

Despite this, the city has a multitude of winter offerings.

Related Post: Top 27 Things to Do in Vancouver: Best of Winter

Capilano Suspension Bridge holds its annual Canyon Lights event between late November and mid-January. The bridge, the Cliffwalk, and the Treetop Adventure are all strung with millions of holiday lights, twinkling through the forest.

In the city itself, enjoy the waterfront Vancouver Christmas Market (November and December), the Robson Square Ice Rink (December to February), and a city-wide Hot Chocolate Festival (January and February).

Credit: Ashley M on Unsplash

Whistler

Whistler is nestled in British Columbia's Coast Mountain range. It’s one of the best places in Canada for ski resorts, snowmobiling, and après-ski culture. As such, it is an incredible place to experience Canada's winter season.

Whistler Blackcomb is regularly ranked as the best ski resort in North America. And, outside of its world-class downhill skiing, you can find all manner of winter sports here.

Try snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and ziptrecking in Canada's ultimate winter playground. Or, make your way to a mountaintop fondue by snowcat vehicle, enjoying 6,000 ft views from Blackcomb Mountain and live museum while you dine.

Whatever you choose, Whistler is British Columbia's answer to snow-capped peaks and winter activities.

Credit: Tourism Yukon, Dan CarrMaw on Unsplash

The Yukon

If you want to see the Northern Lights in Canada, you should visit the Yukon. Located under the Auroral Oval, it is perfectly positioned for Aurora Borealis activity. And with just 47,170 people (as of 2025) living in its 186,272 square miles, it is sparsely populated, and light pollution is low.

Aside from its vibrant Aurora Borealis, the Yukon is home to exciting winter activities unique to Canada's North. Dog sledding is a historic mode of transport here, and while you can try it further south, there is no better place to experience mushing through the snow than in the place it has been practiced for thousands of years.

Winter Vacation Packages in Canada

These are our 5 favorite packages to experience the best of winter in Canada.

Credit: Tourism Yukon, Dan CarrMaw on Unsplash

Northern Lights Resort & Spa | Winter at its Best

Watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky in a luxury glass-fronted chalet in Canada's Far North.

In the Yukon territory, find a cozy remote resort complete with decadent meals, an on-site spa, and extensive snowshoeing trails around the property.

During the day, you'll enjoy guided tours of the Yukon, a trip to the nearby hot springs, and an introduction to snowmobiling. At night, you'll be welcomed to the communal fire pit to watch the skies for the Aurora Borealis — or sleep soundly in your floor-to-ceiling glass-fronted chalet knowing you'll be gently woken when they appear.

Credit: VIA Rail, Rockies Heli

Best of the Canadian Rockies Winter Train Vacation

Journey onboard VIA Rail's iconic Canadian train, a vintage sleeper train to the mountains and beyond.

Enjoy a night onboard — your 19-hour ride leaves plenty of time to savour your three-course gourmet dinner, relax in your private cabin, and watch scenery pass from the domed Skyline car before you even head to bed — and wake the next morning to the sun rising over the snowy Canadian Rockies.

Once in the mountains, we'll work with you to find the very best excursions, activities, and experiences to leave you with that winter wonderland feeling, whether you enjoy leisurely wildlife-spotting tours, scenic ice canyon walks, or exciting dog-sledding adventures.

Credit: Montréal / GouvQc / Mathieu Dupuis, Destination Canada

Montreal & Quebec City by Rail | Winter Splendors

Glide through Quebec's pristine snowy landscapes by rail as you explore its two historic cities. Enjoy business-class transport and private tours as you go.

Arrive in Old Montreal by train to discover its rich culture and history, and search for the best warming winter dishes on a private tour. Spend the night between centuries-old stone buildings before re-boarding the train to Quebec City, where the streets are draped in twinkling lights, lavishly-decorated trees, and ice rinks hide in atmospheric city squares, and another private tour invites you to learn more about its history.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Christmas in Banff at the Castle | Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

Celebrate Christmas Day in a castle surrounded by the grand Canadian Rockies.

This package is the perfect family Christmas vacation. We have infused your journey with winter magic at every turn, from a trip to Lake Louise to skate across its frozen surface to a Christmas Day horse-drawn sleigh ride in Banff.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts / Canadian Wilderness Adventures

White Christmas at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler

Enjoy an exciting white Christmas in Whistler's stunning mountains.

While our Canadian Rockies tour in Banff is best for a serene mountain Christmas, our Whistler itinerary is perfect for the more adventurous travelers. You can choose between snowmobiling through the Whistler Blackcomb peaks, dog-sledding through valleys, snowshoeing icy trails, and ziplining through snow-coated canopies. Or, find mountain-top fondue and a Whistler Village fine dining tour waiting instead.

Christmas Day at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler means a gala dinner and dance, ensuring your holidays end with a bang.

Things to Do in Canada in Winter

Canada is home to winter activities and unique experiences like no other.

Credit: Northern Lights Resort and Spa

Northern Lights Viewing

Canada is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights. Much of the vast Yukon territory sits under the Auroral Oval — the part of the globe with the most Aurora Borealis activity.

As a result, between late August and mid-April, the Northern Lights dance across Canadian skies. And with the longest nights in winter, it makes for the best season to view the lights.

We recommend viewing the Northern Lights from remote lodges, which offer cabins with wake-up calls far from light pollution. Luckily, we have a range available in our curated selection of Northern Lights tours, and we will happily work with you to find the one that suits you best.

Credit: Travel Alberta

Dog Sledding

Mush through snowy forests and across frozen lakes as you try dog sledding in Canada. There, you'll experience one of the oldest forms of winter transportation in the world in Canada's frozen North.

You'll be pulled across tundra by a team of energetic huskies, gliding through pristine landscapes as you go.

While it's most common in Northern Canada — and an experience we highly recommend including in a Northern Lights-viewing trip — you can also find dog sledding in the Rockies, where you can mush through the hidden trails of Jasper National Park, racing through alluring forested valleys.

Credit: Adam Bixby on Unsplash

Ice Fishing

For a unique winter experience, try ice fishing.

This Canadian winter tradition offers a one-of-a-kind introduction to the local culture. And as you step out onto a vast frozen lake, you'll see why it's so popular.

Though it may sound cold, you'll spend your time in a cozy, heated hut surrounded by snow-muffled landscapes. Inside, both locals and visitors drill holes through the ice and drop their lines in hopes of landing a bite.

The season runs from December to March, when the ice is thick enough to safely support huts and shelters.

Credit: Canadian Wilderness Adventures

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is the most peaceful way to explore winter landscapes.

Much like hiking in the summer, snowshoeing lets you slow down and get in touch with nature as you explore the deep drifts on foot. And despite being frozen, the trails can be traversed with ease.

While you can go snowshoeing alone, we recommend taking a guided tour. You'll be escorted by an expert local guide along quiet trails to find hidden clearings in the forest. Not only will they assist you in finding the best trails, you'll learn the history and culture of the Indigenous peoples, fur traders, and explorers who have walked these very routes.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Ice Skating

Ice skating can be found across Canada in winter and summer — unsurprising, as the national winter sport depends on it. However, in winter, lakes freeze over and the opportunity to skate outdoors arrives.

In Ottawa, you'll find the world's longest outdoor rink, the Rideau Canal Skateway. You can rent skates at huts along the ice, and skate for nearly 5 miles with city skyline views all the while.

The best place to go outdoor ice skating in Canada, though, is on Lake Louise. In winter, the lake entirely freezes over, and, backed by the magnificent Victoria Glacier, an ice rink forms on the surface.

The rink is maintained by Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, meaning it stays clear and safe all season long, and you can rent skates from them or bring your own.

Credit: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Log Cabins

Some of the best log cabins for a winter vacation in Canada are in the Canadian Rockies. There, they are surrounded by snowy pine forests and beautiful mountainscapes.

Some of our favorites are in Jasper National Park. If you're looking for the most authentic log cabin, then Miette Mountain Cabins offers private cabins nestled deep in Jasper National Park. Or, for a more upscale option, stay at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, where your cozy cabin also gives you access to all the Fairmont luxuries associated with it.

Credit: GouvQc / Ghyslene Lablack

Christmas Markets

Canada is one of the best places in North America to experience traditional Christmas markets.

Wooden huts containing festive foods and strung with decorations are much like the classic log cabins found throughout the mountains and Quebec woodlands.

There, indulge a little. Stay warm with a steaming mug of mulled wine, a juicy bratwurst, and a fresh maple taffy for a Canadian spin on the festivities.

Traditional German Christmas markets are found across Canada, from the waterfront Vancouver Christmas Market to the cobblestone square one in Quebec City. We've outlined our top recommendations in the post linked below.

Related Post: Canada's Most Enchanting Christmas Markets

What to Eat this Winter in Canada

Much of Canada's traditional food — and its newer creations — is best in winter.

Credit: Destination Canada

Poutine

If there is one food to try in Canada, it's poutine. Luckily, as a deeply hearty and warming dish, it is also perfect for winter.

Poutine is made up of fries loaded with gravy and cheese curds. Many modern creations build on that base, adding bacon, mushrooms, pulled pork, scallions, smoked meat, and any number of other creative toppings. It combines to make a delectable, if a little indulgent, meal.

Poutine is best tried in Quebec, its home.

Credit: David Thielen on Unsplash

Butter Tart

A butter tart is a small pastry tart with a sweet filling made of butter (unsurprisingly), sugar, syrup, and eggs. But many also contain pecans or raisins, mixed through. They are common across the country, and are especially popular during the holiday season.

A butter tart is best in Ontario, where it originated, or from any bakery that hand-makes them.

Credit: David Thielen on Unsplash

Double-Double

Less traditional than some others on this list, a double-double is a Canadian classic coffee order. More specifically, a double-double is a drip coffee with two creams and two sugars from Tim Hortons.

It's not on the menu, but it is loved and recognized nationwide, as well as formally recognized by the Canadian Oxford and the Oxford English Dictionaries. Order it by simply saying: "Can I have a medium double-double, please?"

A double-double is best at your nearest Tim Hortons (by which we mean anywhere in Canada).

Credit: Off the Eaten Track

Nanaimo Bars

Dark chocolate top, custard-flavored middle, and a coconutty-chocolaty base, this is a festive classic in much of Western Canada. Hailing from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, they have since spread across the country as a beloved sweet treat.

Nanaimo bars are best in Vancouver or on Vancouver Island.

Credit: Destination Canada

Maple Syrup Taffy

Maple taffy is made by boiling maple syrup and then drizzling it onto fresh, clean snow and wrapping it around a popsicle stick as it cools into a soft candy. It is the perfect winter treat in Canada, and even better in Quebec, where the majority of the country's maple syrup production is found.

Try maple taffy in Quebec City at small stores like La Petite Cabane à Sucre de Québec, which serves maple taffy year-round in Old Quebec, or at the city's Christmas market.

Credit: Banff & Lake Louise Tourism (BLLT) / Noel Hendrickson

Hot Cocoa

Less of a Canada-specific recommendation than a must for any winter travel, there is nothing better than getting cozy with a hot cocoa after a day in the snow. In the Rockies, many of our guided tours conclude with a warm drink, included. But you can find a delicious cocoa back in any of the mountain towns once your adventures are done.

Hot chocolate is best in the Rockies after a chilly day in the snow. However, if you're in Vancouver in January, the city hosts a Hot Chocolate Festival each year.

What to Pack for Winter in Canada

While your packing list for Canada in winter will depend on where you're going, these are some things you should keep in mind.

Credit: Travel Alberta / Mike Seehagel

Pack Layers

In much of Canada, weather can change quickly. This is especially true in the Rockies. And travelling between regions — taking the train across Canada, for instance — might mean temperatures change drastically.

For this reason, we recommend bringing layers of clothing that can be added and removed as needed.

Base Layers

We recommend a thin, skin-tight base layer made up of Merino wool or synthetic fabrics to keep you warm and dry. This will likely include a shirt and leggings or long underwear.

Mid-Layers

Your mid-layers are there to keep you warm. Think a wool sweater, thick hoodie, or fleece.

Outer Layers

If you're traveling in milder parts of Canada in winter, a waterproof and windproof shell is all you will need for your outer layer. However, in colder regions like Quebec or the Yukon, a thick winter coat is best for Canadian winter weather. Make sure your coat can protect against the temperature.

Credit: Travel Alberta / roth + ramberg

Accessories and Extremities

Warm accessories are a necessity for keeping warm in the snowy weather.

The main ones you will need are:

• Toque (hat)
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Warm socks

But also consider bringing sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your eyes and skin from glare off the snow.

Shoes

Prioritize shoes that are warm and waterproof (read: snow-proof). If you're planning on doing any activities like snowshoeing or treks, we recommend hiking boots.

Moisturizer

It's worth bringing a good moisturizer and lip balm with you on your trip, to protect your skin from dryness.

Credit: VIA Rail

Day Bag

If you are taking the train in Canada, you will need to bring a day bag for your time onboard.

Your primary luggage will be checked for the duration of your trip. Everything you need during your time on the train should be placed in a smaller bag — no bigger than a carry-on — so that you can store it in your cabin.

Specialist Equipment

Most tours and excursions will provide any specialist equipment you need but, if in doubt, check with your Travel Designer when booking your trip.

Credit: Canada By Design

Book your Canada Winter Vacation

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FAQ

What are the best winter months for travel?

The best winter months in Canada depend on what you want to experience.

December is the best month for festivities and holiday magic, but snow-covered streets are more widely experienced in January and February. That being said, most of Canada experiences winter conditions until mid-March or early April. This means you can take part in winter activities long into spring, giving you plenty of time to plan your perfect winter trip.

Where is the best place to vacation in winter?

Our favorite place to vacation in winter is the Canadian Rockies, which turns into an undeniable winter wonderland once the snow settles in December. You can take part in winter sports and activities, or relax among the serene landscapes. And, as a bonus, you can journey there by sleeper train, which makes for a dreamy introduction to the snowy mountains.

Where is the best vacation spot where it's warm in the winter?

While nowhere in Canada is extremely warm in winter, Vancouver does see relatively mild temperatures throughout the season. And, it still offers access to snow on Grouse Mountain, and winter activities and celebrations in the city. This makes Vancouver a great destination to balance weather and the quintessential Canadian winter experience.

Feature Image Credit: Travel Alberta / Erik McRitchie