Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, why not explore a unique spot right here in Canada for your winter holiday? Cities across the country are bursting with indoor and outdoor events and festivals all season long. If more than one destination is on your bucket list, consider an Air Canada flight pass, which is a prepaid series of electronic flight credits offering flexible and cost-effective travel within a selected geographic zone at a locked-in cost. Here are five must-see places to discover.
Quebec City. This charming spot is a true winter wonderland all season long. Explore Old Quebec in December when it’s transformed into a real Christmas village complete with markets, lights, concerts and activities; or visit in February for the world’s biggest winter carnival. You’ll also find ski and snowmobile trails, Nordic spas and dogsledding a short drive from the city centre.
Vancouver. This coastal city has lots to offer during the chillier months. Enjoy skiing on some urban slopes; free ice skating in Robson Square, which reopened for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics; and Dine Out Vancouver, a city-wide winter culinary event. More adventurous types will enjoy winter ziplining atop Grouse Mountain or snow camping, where you build your own igloo or snow-cave and then spend the night in it.
Yellowknife. With non-stop Air Canada flights from Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, this northern destination is more accessible than ever. The capital of the Northwest Territories has local fishing lodges, bush plane tours and several heritage centres to check out. Another favourite is the Snowking Winter Festival, which has a month of cultural activities and features a cool snow castle on Great Slave Lake.
Ontario. Between Toronto, Air Canada's gateway to 64 Canadian destinations and the perfect first-stop for a cross-country tour, and Ottawa the site of many festivities for Canada’s 150th anniversary, Ontario has lots to offer. Hockey enthusiasts will want to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, while everyday fans may find it easier to snag a ticket to the Ottawa Senators, where they can also find the world’s largest outdoor skating rink along the Rideau Canal. Art and history lovers will enjoy the Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto or the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa.
Montreal. Winter in Montreal is idyllic, filled with delicious dinners and hot chocolate after a day spent snow tubing, tobogganing, skiing or skating on one of the city’s 150 rinks. The highlight of the season is the Montreal en Lumiere festival, a mid-winter extravaganza of food, exhibits, music and winter sports. Igloofest is another big hit — kind of like a Canadian Coachella, but with people dancing in ski gear.
