10 Activities Canadians Do In the Winter
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Open mouth. Jaw on floor. Eyes as wide as a deer in headlights. Such is a common response when a non-Canadian learns that we do not simply hibernate in the winter–though some of us might want to in order to avoid the incessant shovelling and scraping of ice and snow.
Winter, depending on the region, can be anywhere between four to eight months of the year in Canada. So, Canadians still need to work, still need to eat, and still need to enjoy themselves. Work/life balance, though not perfectly established, is generally a cultural value of the country, so we’re not just going to give up and abandon our lives to the cold. As the saying goes, “stay true north, strong and fierce;” face that cold and show it how to have fun!
Speaking of which, here are 10 things that you might find Canadians doing in the winter for fun. (Nice transition, I know).
TOBOGGANING / CRAZY CARPETING / SNOW TUBING
Tobogganing, crazy carpeting and snow tubing are three of the most common winter activities for children and families. You got a big hill. You got a bunch of snow. You got a toboggan, crazy carpet or snow tube. You have the perfect recipe for fun!
A toboggan is a type of sled, originally and traditionally used by the Cree, Innu, and Algonquian peoples (among others) of Canada in order to more quickly cross snowy tundras. It is of narrow construction, made of long pieces of wood attached to each other to create a plank suitable for sitting on. The wood curves at the front of the toboggan, where string or rope is often tied for better ease of steering and remaining on board amid coasting. To use a toboggan is “to toboggan.” Yes, this noun often functions as a verb, too. As does “crazy carpet” (to crazy-carpet) and “snow tube” (to snow tube).
A crazy carpet is basically a poor man’s toboggan, though it is probably more popular these days, especially among children. It is a sheet of brightly coloured plastic with two holes used for handles. You sit on the sheet and slide down the hill.
A snow tube is a round disk or donut made of plastic and sometimes fabric. Again, you sit on it, in the middle, and hold onto the ridges found along the edge. As you slide down the hill, you start to spin, which is both exciting and terrifying, especially if there is a ramp made of ice at the bottom of the hill–it is not uncommon for Canadian children to break arms and sprain tailbones. But, it is all in good fun… Right? Sometimes, a snow tube can be attached to the back of a low-level motor vehicle like a quad or dirt bike. This vehicle pulls the snow tube on the snow similar to how a motorboat pulls a tube on a lake.
SKIJORING
This fun word refers to quite the fun winter activity. “To skijor” is to attach skis to your feet and hold onto a rope (or leash) that is attached to large dogs, horses, or reindeer. It is basically cross-country skiing, but you’re being pulled by a running animal.
In my experience, skijoring is more commonly done in Canada with dogs, as it is an easy activity to do with your canine companions. It not only provides you with an adrenaline rush as you quickly slide across a snowy park, plain or forest trail, but it also gives your dog an excellent opportunity for exercise. It’s a win/win, really! And pretty cheap, too, which is why it is a common activity in many Canadian regions.
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.com.
CHASING WATERFALLS
Another cheap but thrilling activity is chasing waterfalls. I have many a fond memory of doing this with my cousins and friends growing up. To put it simply, “to chase waterfalls” means to hike in the snow along rivers in usually a mountainous region in order to find a gorgeous, frozen waterfall. These are like nature’s sculptures, beautifully crafted ice–a depiction of rushing water frozen in time. It’s breathtaking.
This activity acts as great exercise, as hiking in deep snow requires quite a bit of physical endurance. It is also always an adventure, as you never know what amazing sights you may come across along the way.
Frozen waterfall in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Photo courtesy of Thiago Terleski on Unsplash.
Frozen waterfall in Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Photo courtesy of Max LaRochelle on Unsplash.
HAIR FREEZING CONTESTS
Speaking of freezing, some Canadians like to do just that to their hair in the winter. Look, we aren’t weird… We’re artistic!
Every year, a variety of natural hot springs across the country hosts hair freezing contests in the winter. The task is simple: dunk your entire body, head included, into the hot spring waters; when you come back up, quickly bend and twist, contort and lift your hair into beautifully wacky sculptures as the frigid air (-20 C or colder) freezes your hair, turning it into a sparkling, silvery masterpiece.
Photos courtesy of Eclipse Nordic Hot Springs, Yukon, Canada.
VISITING HÔTEL DE GLACE
For the bougie among us, some Canadians like to visit or stay at a hotel made entirely of ice in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Don’t worry! They have warm, fuzzy blankets to keep you from freezing at night.
This hotel, named Hôtel de Glace, is famous for its incredibly intricate ice and snow sculptures that decorate each of its rooms. From spectacular ice chandeliers to three-dimensional murals of Canadian landscapes and wildlife, to behemoth-sized statues and icy furniture clothed in moody lighting, this modern art piece serves as real-life lodging for both Canadians and tourists, alike. Though it may be made of ice and snow, it still features beyond your basic accommodation elements: themed rooms, bar, hot tub, sauna, recreational slide, wedding chapel, lobby, bathrooms, and more.
Room in Hôtel de Glace, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Photo courtesy of Forbes Travel Guide.
Bar in Hôtel de Glace, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Photo courtesy of travelingiq.com.
Chapel in Hôtel de Glace, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. Photo courtesy of Prícila Dias on Pinterest.
ICE FISHING
If you thought Canadians weren’t cold enough in the winter, guess again! When the snow falls and ice saturates the surfaces of our lakes, you might just find a group of Canadians fishing. Seems appropriate.
Ice fishing is a little bit different from your average bear’s fishing venture. It involves less of a boat and more of an often-makeshift wooden shed atop a thickly frozen body of water, where a hole has been sawed out. Canadian adults typically gather with a friend or few, even family for some, as they sit wrapped up in blankets, drinking back cold beer or hot coffee, and their fishing rods in the hole in front of them. Some ice fishing sheds will have electricity, while others will not. Regardless, many Canadians choose to add some fiery warmth to the experience by bringing a portable furnace or heater for the space.
Like regular fishing, ice fishing is a great opportunity for slowing down and relaxing among good company. Just be sure to bring lots of warm clothes.
Ice fishing shed. Photo courtesy of Adam Bixby on Unsplash.
Making an ice fishing hole.
GOING ON A LOBSTER CRAWL
Speaking of seafood, the Nova Scotia Lobster Crawl is one of the most famous winter festivals in Canada. Nova Scotia is a maritime province, meaning it is located on the Canadian east coast along the North Atlantic Ocean. Regardless of the time of year, Canadians flock to this region for its deliciously fresh seafood. As such, it only makes sense that a festival be held in honour of this seafood. More specifically, in honour of lobster. In February. When it’s freezing cold.
There is logic to this timing, however, as a belly full of cooked lobster warms a person up like a furnace warms an ice fishing shed. Not to mention the variety of dishes will leave you so gobsmacked that you won’t even remember what it means to feel cold. These dishes range from the simple butter-dipped boiled lobster tail to the more gastronomic lobster eggs benedict, lobster poutine, lobster gelato and even lobster beer. Sounds gross? Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!
MAKING MAPLE TAFFY
Who needs snow cones in the summer when you got maple taffy in the winter?
When temperatures hit below -20 C, many Canadians might opt to make themselves a snack in their backyard. With a bottle or bowl of boiled maple syrup, they pour it onto a wooden stick lying on a patch of snow. Turning it about, the syrup freezes, and depending on how you move it, you can make some pretty fun shapes. Within seconds, you have yourself a delicious winter treat!
ATTENDING HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVALS
A great way to stay warm in the outdoors is attending a hot chocolate festival. Some of these festivals are completely outside in one contained area, while others may be spread across an entire city, requiring you to travel from one restaurant location to another in order to sample the festival’s flavours.
One of my favourite of these is the Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival, which in 2023 is taking the form of the latter festival type. This year, over 145 flavours of hot chocolate is being featured–who even knew that there were that many!? The reason why I love this particular hot chocolate event is because of its diversity. Each flavour often represents a different part of the world, or part of history. You can try hot chocolate from Brazil, Spain, Germany, Japan, and more…! There are iced versions, savoury versions, and alcoholic versions. Each recipe is unique and tells a story. And storytelling is a major part of Canadian culture.
GOING TO THE QUEBEC WINTER CARNIVAL
The ultimate winter activity is the Quebec Winter Carnival. Like many other countries, Canada–more specifically Quebec–celebrates the pre-Lent holiday of Carnival. However, this is often done in February in the winter there, making it the largest winter Carnival celebration in the world. That’s pretty impressive.
Canadians flock to this festival from all over the country in order to participate in all sorts of fun activities, including most of those mentioned in this blog post (though many Canadians also do these things closer to home). Additionally and more specially, you can enjoy an elaborate parade with dancing and fireworks, musical performances, ice canoe racing, a snow sculpture competition, skating, ice baths, sleigh rides, zip-lining, human Foosball (highly recommend!), axe throwing, snow wrestling, and so much more! It is an exciting and extremely entertaining event to go to when the winter months are drawing long.
What did you think of these winter activities? Would you ever do any of them? Maybe you already have? Let me know in the comments below.
