Fun winter sports in Canada to make the most of the cold

There’s no mistaking the snowy Canadian winter, with its brutal wind chill making the temperatures feel even colder. Who wouldn’t want to stay indoors and stay cozy in such conditions? However, if you want to embrace the cold in true Canadian spirit, bundle up in your warmest layers, lace up your trusted boots, and try out these fun winter sports. And for those who prefer to stay warm, we’ve got all-year sports recommendations, too.

If this is your first winter in Canada, here’s a helpful guide on how to layer right for the cold. 

Ready for some winter thrills?

Ice skating is a beloved winter activity: Outdoor rinks, frozen ponds, or indoor arenas… there’s no dearth of options when it comes to ice skating. With a good pair of skates (rentals are available at some arenas) and warm layers, you can enjoy this classic pastime, whether you’re a beginner learning to balance or an experienced skater gliding with ease.

Experience the thrill of skiing: Skiing is a big part of Canada’s heritage that brings together friends and family. It is also a healthy way to keep active during the winter and has this uncanny ability to get you hooked on it for life. From British Columbia in the west to Quebec and beyond in the east, Canada is home to many world-class ski facilities that are visited by tourists and locals every year. Do search for the ones closest to you as you take your first steps in this iconic Canadian activity! Fun winter sports in Canada are also a great way to make friends: there are many meetups across the country, depending on which sport you’re interested in, and these friendships are often made for life.

Feel the rush while snowboarding: You’re never too young (or old) to start snowboarding! Ski resorts and facilities across Canada offer specialized snowboarding classes to people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. Both skiing and snowboarding are considered to be progressive sports, which means there is no limit to your learning curve and the number of exhilarating moments you can experience.

Explore the wilderness on a snowmobile: With thousands of prepared snowmobile trails, as well as more untamed, backcountry tracks for you to ride on, getting on a snowmobile is one of the best ways to experience the vast winter wonderland that is Canada. While the snowmobile may be used these days to take part in fun winter sports in Canada, that wasn’t its original purpose: Invented in Canada by Joseph-Armand Bombardier, a mechanic from Valcourt, Quebec, the snowmobile was used to move people and goods across remote territories, where roads often froze during the winter. Subsequent smaller versions were then bought by priests, doctors and farmers who lived in and served these rural communities, with the snowmobile eventually also replacing the dogsled as the main hunting vehicle for the Inuit.

Get into Canadian culture with ice hockey: As a newcomer in a bustling Canadian city, you must have seen large crowds of passionate hockey fans donning their local team jerseys and cheering together. Did you know, modern-day hockey was invented in Canada? You, too, can show your support for this national passion by learning about the sport, watching the games, cheering for your local team, or even buying some merch, or visiting a hockey-themed restaurant. For those interested in trying their hand at the game, hockey leagues and classes are available for people of all ages at facilities all across the country. As popular as adult leagues are tournaments for children. Who knows…your child might end up following in the footsteps of Wayne Gretzky!

Swap summer hikes for winter snowshoeing: Your favourite summer hiking paths turn into awesome snowshoe trails in the winter. There’s a case of your surroundings being familiar yet different, as you take in the magical snowswept environment around you. Bear in mind, however, that not all summer hiking trails are safe for winter travel, nor can you assume that the challenges you will face while hiking during the winter will be the same as those you come up against during the summer. To know whether a national park near you is open for snowshoeing during the winter months, please visit Parks Canada’s website, where you can search for parks by both name and province or territory, as well as by referring to the on-site map.

Are you brave enough to try ice climbing? Winter’s arrival gives waterfalls and the sides of cliffs a whole new look, as they freeze over and make for the perfect ice climbing surfaces. While Canada is home to some of the best ice climbing routes in the world, this is a sport that is not for the intrepid or faint of heart. Mountaineering skills are crucial as it is not uncommon to be in a near-constant vertical position against your chosen surface. In many parts of Canada, you’re also not allowed to engage in ice climbing expeditions without first signing up for an Avalanche Skills Training Course to help you understand the terrain, conditions and factors that lead to avalanches.

Experience a winter tradition in curling: While a sport in which players slide curling stones towards a target area on a sheet of ice might not sound like much, curling is more exhilarating than it might first appear to be. A popular winter sport played throughout Canada,  there are more than 150,000 registered players and nearly 1,000 clubs across the country. The presence of indoor rinks has aided both curling and hockey in becoming fun winter sports in Canada. Canada is also the most successful curling team at international level: the men’s national team has won 36 gold medals at the World Curling Championships, making them the most successful in the history of the sport, as well as three consecutive Olympic gold medals. The women’s national team has won 18 gold medals, also making them the most decorated in women’s curling.

Say ‘whee’ to tobogganing: All you need for a fun tobogganing experience are two things: a toboggan (also called a sled) and a snow-covered hill nearby. This classic winter activity—where people slide down snowy slopes on sleds made of plastic, wood, or foam—is an exciting pastime for both kids and adults. Tobogganing spots can be found across Canada, but be sure to check if it’s permitted at your chosen hill before you start gliding down. A helmet is strongly recommended, especially for children, to help prevent injuries, particularly on steeper hills. When selecting a sled, remember that one with a smooth bottom glides better on snow, while textured ones slow down slightly on the descent, and offer more control.

Do you wanna build a snowman? Not in the mood for sport? Build a snowman in your backyard or a park close to your home with friends and family–undoubtedly a fun outdoor activity minus the travel, training and exercise! It’s also an activity that keeps the little ones entertained for hours on end. We just hope that your snowman survives the ensuing snowball fight (Trust us, there’s always a fun-filled snowball fight after!)

Or, play padel indoors to escape the chilly weather!

Indoor badminton, ping pong and many other games are always a good option if you want to sweat it out while shielding yourself from the cold. If you haven’t earlier, consider giving Padel a try. Somewhat a cross between tennis and squash, Padel is a racket sport played in doubles in an enclosed court where the ball can bounce off the court walls.

“Padel offers a perfect indoor solution for staying active and building connections,” shares Daniela Varas, Co-Founder and Marketing Director of PadelGo Canada. She adds: “In Canada, this sport’s journey began in 1992 in Calgary, Alberta when the first padel court was built… As of 2024, Canada is home to around 13 padel clubs, with most located in Toronto and Montreal, alongside clubs in Kitchener, Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver. These clubs collectively feature approximately 36 Padel courts and serve an estimated 5,000-6,000 active players nationwide.”

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