Canada is full of places that make for interesting travel destinations virtually any time of year. But a of the country’s most appealing spots are particularly alluring in winter. Canada, after all, has a reputation as being a somewhat wintery place (simply by virtue of being cold), so it’s no wonder that cities, resorts, and even country getaways do a wonderful job embracing this cold but comfy season.
If that sounds appealing to you, or even if you live in Canada and you’re just looking for a holiday getaway, these are four specific winter destinations you might want to think about.
1 – Ottawa, Ontario
It might not be too inventive to single out Canada’s capital as a top destination, but this is certainly a city that’s particularly enjoyable in the heart of winter. For one thing, it’s beautiful. Something about Victorian architecture with a snowy background, or simply in the clean, crisp climate of winter, is very picturesque, and it makes the whole city lovely to walk through (provided you’re nicely bundled up). Additionally, this is the place to go to enjoy Rideau Canal skating – possibly the most renowned winter activity in Canada. It’s essentially a 7.8km skating rink – the biggest in the world, and one that makes for a charmed winter activity. Sure it’s crowded, but skating along the canal is serenely beautiful, particularly at night when lamps line the canal and Parliament and other major buildings light up overhead.
2 – Whitehorse, Yukon
If you’re looking for a more remote getaway, as well as an incredible cultural experience, you might want to consider Whitehorse. This is actually the capital of the Yukon region, but it retains a sort of small town feel, particularly in the depths of winter when the days are shorter and holiday cheer takes over the area. Snow-covered forests and peaks are visible in the surrounding country, and you may even glimpse the Northern Lights (which you really ought to see in person at one time or another). And if you want a little bit of action mixed into your winter getaway, you can even try your hand at dog sledding just a short distance outside of town (and out into the wilderness of course). Or make the long haul up north to Dawson City, and don’t forget to explore the Tombstone Mountain Range.
3 – Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver is commonly identified as one of the most pleasant places to visit in Canada. It’s just one of those towns that seems to have a little bit of everything, and accordingly it capitalizes on holiday cheer throughout the winter. But Vancouver is also a nice spot to go for the surrounding activities. Just south of the city limits, for instance, across the Fraser River, you can check out the River Rock Resort, a gorgeous luxury hotel and casino that looks as though it could be nestled among the ski lodges of the Alps, and which is a great place to entertain yourself. Just north of Vancouver, meanwhile, you can also enjoy actual ski lodges in the area surrounding Mt. Fromme. In short, Vancouver is the place to go for a combination of lively winter city atmosphere and excellent resort accommodations.
4 – Whistler, British Columbia
Lastly, if you’re simply looking for an ideal winter getaway and you want to focus on skiing and spending time outside, Whistler may be the place to target. Whistler is frequently listed among the best ski resorts in North America (sometimes ahead of more famous areas like Aspen and Vail), and also hosts plenty of other activities you might enjoy. There’s ice skating, dog sledding, and sleigh riding, for instance. If you’re traveling with family or friends and you’d just like a cozy place to stay and activity to keep you going all day, look no further.