Winnipeg guide to outdoor winter fun
Trust us –– the cold can be so cool!
In Winnipeg, snow and ice aren’t something to shy away from. In fact, locals are known for creating experiences that soar as temperatures drop, providing countless fun ways to make nice with ice –– whether you’re looking to get sporty or to simply relax under snowy skies.
Festival du Voyageur
Giant snow sculptures, historical re-enactments and maple syrup on everything –– particularly snow! These are just a few of the things that make Festival du Voyageur (opens in new window) so great. Western Canada’s largest winter festival celebrates the region’s fur-trading, Indigenous and Francophone history with huge tents where live music plays day and night and the French food flows like fiddle solos on its multiple stages. This family friendly festival also features a beard growing contest, a famed pea soup contest that always features some of the city’s best restaurants, wood carving, a market and so much more!
Skate the city
If it freezes, locals will flood it, skate it and shovel it off after it snows. This is great news for anyone looking to add skating to their Winnipeg winter itinerary — whether they are a pro hockey player or a beginner on blades. From outdoor speed skating ovals and duck ponds with après-skate amenities to what is often the world’s longest naturally frozen river trail, Winnipeg has all the ice you need.
Learn all about the top spots in our skating guide (opens in new window).
Slide the day away
While Winnipeg can’t promise much in the way of elevation, we do have many hills and toboggan runs for an elevated sliding experience. Across the city, you’ll find architecturally impressive slides that launch you onto the prairie, or in some cases, frozen lakes. While wide inclined spaces are perfect for catching some speed. Here’s a guide (opens in new window) to all the top spots where you can feel the wind in your hair as you slide the day away.
Cross-country ski our forested trails
Looking to encounter wildlife while you get a workout? Winnipeg’s cross-country ski trails await! Whether you are a beginner or seasoned skate skier, almost every neighbourhood in the city offers a trail that’s right for you. Here’s the city’s top skiing spots (opens in new window), noting several facilities offer rentals onsite. You can also rent alpine skis and gear from Woodcock Cycle Works (opens in new window) in Saint-Boniface, through Winnipeg Trails (opens in new window) at their Bicycle Garden location in West Broadway or through Winterpeg (opens in new window) pop-ups winter-long (check out their social media (opens in new window) for locations).
Find yourself in the world’s largest snow maze
A Maze in Corn (opens in new window) is snow-amazing in winter and can be found just south of the city and in the official Guinness World Records as the largest snow maze. This subzero labyrinth features up to 1,300 metres of snow-packed walls which stand over six feet tall, taking approximately 40 minutes to complete. Within, you’ll find snow sculptures, bonfire pits and snow games (way better than a minotaur), plus the facility also boasts an adults-only snow bar and a giant ice luge.
A Maze in Corn also teams up with WOW Hospitality and its celebrity chef Luc Jean to host The Den (opens in new window), a restaurant built from ice and snow that’s attached to the snow maze. Within its domed snow ceiling, diners can relish dishes like Barolo-braised CAB short ribs with wild mushroom ravioli (there’s also a whole vegan and gluten-free menu) served on hulking ice-carved tables. Needless to say, the wines are chilled (or will be by the time you finish your meal).
Step through winter with ice-certified rentals
Feeling adventurous this winter? Check out FortWhyte Alive, where you can traverse the forested trails of FortWhyte on snowshoes, where you’re sure to see birds, deer and bison that call this nature centre home. Take the whole family for a fun-filled day on the Richardson Toboggan Rrrun, or try your luck at ice fishing with Turtle Tours (opens in new window). Heated tents fit up to six people and come with basic ice fishing equipment and one pre-drilled hole per person to sink your line into, along with all the amenities to make everyone comfortable, like a wood stove (wood and starter kit included), cozy seating and a tea kettle..
Spa under snowy or starry skies
Thermëa by Nordik Spa-Nature is always busy, as you simply cannot find a more relaxing spot in the region to unwind. The Scandinavian-inspired open air spa flaunts thermal pools, steam rooms, saunas, relaxation chambers, heated hammocks, an icy waterfall and excellent drinks and dining via its Restö. You can also book deep tissue or relaxation massages, along with numerous facial and body treatments. After a full day of sauna-ing, dining, steam room-ing and taking icy polar plunges, you’ll literally feel so tranquil that you’ll most likely need to cancel your evening plans. To quote a Thermëa employee who we once overheard responding to two clients who were spent (in the best way possible) after their spa day, “No one is used to relaxing this hard.”
Alpine skiing on the prairie
Located a short drive from Winnipeg on Highway 59 North, Spring Hill Winter Sports Park (opens in new window) features 10 ski runs, a quad chairlift, two tow ropes and a tube park. Its terrain park offers something for all levels and abilities with several jumps, multiple tabletops, rails and boxes, while the facility also features a half pipe, race run, mogul run and a learning fun zone slow area. Certified instructors are onsite as is a 3,500 square foot customer service clubhouse and rental shop with a fully operational kitchen and sports bar.
Ice climb baby
Winnipeg may not have mountains, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reach lofty heights in winter. The ice tower at Club d’escalade de Saint-Boniface (CESB (opens in new window)) rises 20 metres, providing clear views of the downtown skyline as you attempt an icy ascent. It is North America’s original free-standing ice climbing tower, looking like a frozen waterfall on the banks of the Red River that provides an experience suitable for both beginner and advanced climbers.
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For the latest information on trail conditions, rentals and programming, visit the Winterpeg website (opens in new window), courtesy of Winnipeg Trails Association.