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Things to Do in Canada 258
Peak Winter
Good morning!
Did you know? Winter silence is actually louder than summer silence. Cold air carries sound farther, which is why footsteps crunch louder, voices travel farther, and winter landscapes feel eerily quiet — until they don’t. Peak winter isn’t quieter. You’re just hearing more. Cool, huh?
Speaking of Peak Winter, this is it.
Not early winter.
Not slush season.
Not that fake spring that shows up for three days and disappears.
This is peak winter in Canada — the short window when winter experiences are at their absolute best.
The snow is deep. The ice is solid. Festivals are live. And the cold-weather experiences that only exist this time of year are fully dialled in.
If you’re going to do winter, this is when it actually delivers, which is why we’re sharing some ideas for experiencing the best of winter before it’s over.
Enjoy the 258th edition of the Weekly Goose!
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What “Peak Winter” Really Means
Peak winter isn’t about how cold it is — it’s about what’s possible.
This is when:
• Frozen landscapes are safe, dramatic, and accessible
• Winter festivals are in full swing
• Northern lights season is quietly excellent
• Snow-based adventures are at their best (not scraped thin)
• Crowds haven’t hit spring-break chaos yet
Translation:
Wait too long, and winter doesn’t get better — it ends.
Maligne Canyon, Jasper National Park, Alberta.
Peak Winter Experiences Worth Leaving the Couch For
❄️ Walk Through a Frozen Canyon
When waterfalls turn to ice and canyon walls glow blue, winter shows off.
Think Johnston Canyon in Banff National Park or Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park — these are winter-only experiences.
⛸️ Skate Somewhere Ridiculously Scenic
Frozen lakes and river trails don’t last long.
Skate on Lake Louise, or glide along the Rideau Canal in Ottawa while you still can. There’s also the super fun skating track in Ontario’s Arrowhead Provincial Park (this one is on our bucket list), and many cities have outdoor rinks downtown where you can feel like you’re in a holiday movie.
Enjoying Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Quebec.
🛁 Do a Nordic Spa in Actual Winter
Cold air. Hot water. Steam rising into the trees.
Nordic spas hit hardest when it’s genuinely cold — not during shoulder season. Our favourite spa in the country is Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea, Quebec, which is just outside of Ottawa. That same company operates beautiful spas in Whitby and in Winnipeg as well. Here’s our recent guide to some of the best winter spas in Canada.
🌌 Chase the Northern Lights
Peak winter = long, dark nights and clearer skies.
Your best odds are now in the Yukon or the Northwest Territories — and yes, it’s worth it. If you live near a high-activity spot, you could always stay up late one night and drive out to try and see them, or maybe look into renting a cabin nearby and making a night out of it. Places like Elk Island National Park near Edmonton or almost anywhere in Northern Alberta, Northern Saskatchewan, or Northern Manitoba can offer some beautiful locations to witness the lights. However, as mentioned, if the budget allows for it, it’s hard to beat the top 10 lodges to see the Northern Lights in Canada.
Winter Aurora Lights at Blachford Lake Lodge. Photo by Jean Philippe MR.
🚡 Ride a Heated Chairlift
This feels like cheating, in the best way.
Ski hills across Canada now offer heated chairs — proof that Canadians refuse to be uncomfortable for no reason. We can attest to the beauty of taking a heated chairlift up the mountain at Sunshine Ski Resort, but both Lake Louise Ski Resort and Whistler have them as well.
🎉 Hit a Winter Festival Before It Wraps
Snow sculptures, ice bars, outdoor concerts, glowing installations.
From Québec City to Edmonton, winter festivals are peaking right now — and then they’re gone.
If you haven’t been to a winter festival, you really need to make it happen. Maybe your city even has one! Obviously, the grand daddy of them all is Quebec’s Winter Carnival, but if that’s not in the cards, there’s bound to be one near you. Check out our previous newsletter to see 15 winter festivals from coast to coast.
Meeting BonHomme, Quebec’s Winter Carnival mascot.
The Peak Winter Mistake Everyone Makes
Most people wait for “better weather.”
But winter doesn’t improve — it disappears. Plus, all you need is warm clothing!
Peak winter rewards the people who say yes now, not the ones who promise themselves “next year.”
Your Peak Winter Move
You don’t need a massive trip.
Just pick one:
• One winter weekend away
• One iconic cold-weather experience
• One cozy escape that feels earned
• One adventure you keep putting off
Do one thing before winter starts slipping away.
Because this version of Canada doesn’t last long, and despite the cold, it’s truly one of the best times to get out and explore!
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Watch
It’s been four years since we attended the Quebec Winter Carnival, and we can’t wait to return. Check out our video to see what you’re missing!
Beaver Bites
People in Quebec might want to head to the Rocky Mountains for some skiing after the province’s most renowned winter playground, Le Massif de Charlevoix, suspended operations a few days ago after its unionized workforce walked off the job.
After an abysmal 2025 winter, Canada’s largest skating rink officially opened in the nation’s capital on January 5th, providing 7.8 km of winter joy on this historic Rideau Canal.
Love cruise ships? If the thought of spending 115 nights on a cruise ship sounds amazing, 2028 might be your year.
We do not doubt that watching the World Cup in Canada will come with a hefty price tag next year, but FIFA does say they are planning to offer US$60 tickets after facing backlash.
The federal government's new Buy Canadian Policy officially came into effect a couple of weeks ago, as Ottawa looks to actually turn the current national pride into a national investment strategy.
Although we’ll always admire our dusty passport filled with stamps from around the world, passport stamps are now becoming a dying art.
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