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❤️ Romantic Winter Getaways (Better, Less Obvious Picks)

Cabins & Aurora Nights

Some of the most romantic winter moments happen under a moving sky.

Fly-in winter lodges and aurora cabins in northern Canada offer private stays, frozen lakes, wood-fired saunas, and front-row seats to the northern lights. No crowds, no traffic, no noise — just shared awe and very warm blankets.

Best for couples who bond over wonder, not room service.

MDC Picks:

• Beaver Hills Retreat (Elk Island National Park): Located near the national park and just 30 minutes from Edmonton, this is a hotspot for Aurora activity. Whether you seek solitude, a romantic getaway, or a luxurious retreat, this cozy private cabin offers everything you need and a little bit more.

• Blatchford Lake Lodge (NWT): Although pricier and more difficult to reach, it’s one of the most famous lodges in Canada for witnessing the Aurora Borealis.

For more options, check out our article about the best lodges in Canada for Aurora Borealis viewing.

Snowy Lake Lodges

Whether you’re looking for something small and secluded or a resort with all the amenities, look for winter lake lodges with cabin-style rooms, fireplaces or wood stoves, frozen-lake views, and on-site dining.

These places shine in winter because everyone else waits for summer, leaving you with the quiet version. Romance loves low occupancy, and winter makes it much cozier.

Although there are thousands to choose from across the country, here are some of our picks to get you started:

• Emerald Lake Lodge: This beautiful lodge in BC offers cabin-style rooms without the crowds of Banff.

• Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: Home to a variety of frozen lakes, this Fairmont is unique in that they offer cabins throughout the property, along with on-site dining, hot pools, skating paths, and more.

• The Lodge at Bow Lake: This one is on our bucket list. Located on the stunning Icefields Parkway, it’s about as secluded as a lodge gets in the Canadian Rockies.

Winter Domes, Yurts & Forest Glamping

If you want memorable without complicated, winter domes and heated yurts are a sweet spot.

Across Canada, you’ll find heated geodesic domes, panoramic snow views, stargazing ceilings, private outdoor hot tubs, and so much more.

They’re playful, intimate, and built for two — like winter camping, but you still sleep well.

Different beats fancy.

Looking for ideas? Here are some options to get started:

• Moonlit Canopy (MB): Magical forest stay with lake views.

• Valley Sky Glamping (NS): Nova Scotia domes with hot tubs and valley views.

• Skyridge Glamping (AB): Stunning views of the Canadian Rockies.

• Shuswap Sky Dome (BC): Incredible views with a wood-burning hot tub.

• Private Hot Springs (BC): Wake up to your own private hot spring infinity pool with views.

Snowy Wine Country Weekends

Wine regions don’t shut down in winter — they get better.

Fewer crowds. Fireplace tastings. Cozy inns. Icewine season. Slow dinners.

Winter wine escapes work because tasting rooms are quiet, reservations are easier, and the pace is naturally slower.

It’s indulgent without being hectic — which is kind of the point.

While the grapevines might be covered in snow, the wine is snow-free. Here are some options to consider below:

• Burrowing Owl Estate Winery (BC): Guesthouse among vines + lake views.

• Spirit Ridge Resort (BC): Vineyards + Nk’Mip Cellars for wine lovers.

• Vineland Estates Winery (ON): B&B in Niagara wine country.

• Hessenland Inn at Schatz Winery (ON): Vineyard views and cozy suites.

• Riverbend Inn and Vineyard (ON): Boutique vineyard lodging.

Quiet Coastal Lodges in Winter

Not every romantic winter escape needs snowdrifts.

Winter coastal stays offer crashing waves, misty mornings, stormy views from warm rooms, and long walks with nobody around.

Forest-and-ocean lodges and small coastal inns feel especially intimate in winter, when the weather becomes part of the mood instead of a problem.

Moody can be very romantic.

Here are some MDC picks to consider:

• Trout Point Lodge (NS): Forest + ocean cabin romance and endless winter beach walks.

• Oceanstone Seaside Resort (NS): Calm winter beaches just steps from your room.

• White Point Beach Resort (NS): Unique accommodation, loads of amenities, and an on-site restaurant.

• Wickaninnish Inn (Tofino, BC) — Pacific storm watching and cozy fireplaces.

Boutique Mountain Inns (Not the Big Resorts)

Instead of the giant ski hotels, look for smaller mountain inns and boutique properties near winter towns.

You still get snowy streets, mountain views, great restaurants, and a winter atmosphere.

But you also get fewer people, quieter lounges, and a more personal stay.

Same setting — better energy.

There are so many around BC and Alberta, including places like Fernie, Invermere, Kimberley, Golden, or Crowsnest Pass. However, here are some good options to get you started…

• Storm Mountain Lodge (AB): Rustic cabin lodge between Banff and Lake Louise with fireplaces, forest setting, and a quiet, romantic winter vibe.

• Nita Lake Lodge (BC): Boutique lakeside lodge with fireplace rooms and winter trail access — calmer and more intimate than Whistler Village hotels.

• Pyramid Lake Lodge (AB): Cozy lodge right on a frozen mountain lake with skating, snowshoeing, and cabin-style rooms away from Jasper town crowds.

• Mount Engadine Lodge (AB): Backcountry-style mountain lodge with wood-stove warmth, gourmet meals, and deep-winter quiet.

• Auberge du Lac Taureau (QC): Lakeside forest inn with fireplace rooms, winter trails, and snow-covered Laurentian scenery.

Have some that you recommend? Hit reply and let us know!

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It’s one of our earlier videos, but we did shoot a “romantic escape” video at Mount Engadine, which is a secluded all-inclusive lodge in Alberta’s Kananaskis region.

International Departures

Beaver Bites

• We’ve always been huge fans of Nordegg and the David Thompson region in Alberta. Now, it’s about to get even better, as they work towards a new 109km trail opening up the Canadian Rockies.
  
  

• The Canadian passport remains one of the world’s strongest. In its annual passport index, Henley & Partners ranked Canada’s passport as tied for the world’s 8th most powerful, granting visa-free access to 181 countries.
  
  

• While some campgrounds in the Canadian Rockies are likely already sold out, there’s always a chance you could snag a top spot. Plus, there are plenty of other beautiful parks across the country. So if you’re already dreaming of summers in nature, these are the best times to book campsites across Canada for 2026.
  
  

• Surprisingly, despite all the flights we’ve taken, we’ve never had any problems with passengers. However, that’s certainly not always the case, according to all the complaints of disruptive things Canadian flyers did last year, from indecent exposure to assault.
  
  

• Loyalty programs are all the rage these days, and Air Transat is throwing its name into the hat as well, announcing a new loyalty program with Visa. Once live, it will offer travellers exclusive benefits and an improved experience, the airline said.

• Want to reach 62,000 Canadian travellers for your brand? Reach out (reply to this email) to sponsor an edition of Must Do Canada.