Unique winter activities for your Canadian train vacation

With is snow-dappled landscapes for sightseeing and exploring, Canada is truly a winter wonderland. It’s a popular destination for those seeking an immersive winter vacation. Your trip can be as active or as laidback as you like — or a mix of both. There’s guided tours and Nordic spas for those who seek something more relaxing, immersive activities the whole family can enjoy, and winter sports for the more adventurous traveller. 

The country is known as the “the home of winter” and its culture embraces the season’s weather. Dog sledding, snowshoeing and many other snow activities are iconic Canadian pursuits.

Our local travel experts can help you plan your perfect winter trip. This guide covers some of the more unique winter activities you can add to your personalized itinerary with canadiantrainvacations.com

Explore: Winter Train Trips in Canada

Top Winter Sightseeing Tours

One of the most exciting parts of travel is taking in the different sights. Canada is the second largest country by area in the world, and that land can be quite diverse, from sprawling urban streets too smaller mountain towns or vast stretches of untouched wilderness.

Whether you’re looking for city food tours or wildlife viewing, a guided sightseeing tour is a fabulous way to see the highlights and learn local stories from expert guides.

Tour Canada's Iconic Sights in Winter

First-timers to Canada will want to take in some of these must-see spots during their trip — and return travellers often can't resist going again. Pick from small-group or private tours when you book your trip with us:

• Niagara Falls: Not even freezing temperatures can stop the sheer power of Ontario's Niagara Falls in winter. While ice sometimes dramatically shrouds the waterfall's surface when it's particularly cold, the water continues to flow underneath. If your Canadian train trip includes Toronto, pick a small-group or private tour to Niagara Falls, and take in its icy majesty.

[ Read: Best Time to Visit Niagara Falls Canada ]

• CN Tower: The iconic CN Tower stands a massive 553 metres in Toronto and is the quintessential tourist attraction in the city. It's got a little something for everyone, from crossing the glass floor in the Lower Observation Level standing 113 storeys above the streets to appreciating Artmosphere, the interactive art showcase. The 58-second elevator ride to the top lets you see as far as New York and Niagara Falls on a clear day for stunning views. Ask your vacation advisor about adding a meal in the CN Tower's 350-metre high revolving restaurant.
• Banff Gondola: At the base of Sulphur Mountain in the Canadian Rockies, you'll find the Banff Gondola. Ride in a four-person gondola car to the 700 metre high summit. From there, you're left with stunning 360-degree views of six mountain ranges glistening in the winter snow. During the winter, plan your visit to coincide with sunset, so you can also enjoy the interactive light show, Nightrise. Many of our trips's Banff sight-seeing tours include the gondola experience. 

[ Read: Best Time to Visit Banff ]

• Capilano Suspension Bridge: Discover the lush beauty of a Pacific Northwest’s temperate rainforest as you walk across the Capilano Suspension Bridge, 70 metres above the Capilano River. In the winter, the bridge is illuminated with countless twinkling lights for an extra touch of magic.

Get above it all on a helicopter tour of the Rockies  

One of the most popular excursions on our trips, a helicopter tour over the Canadian Rockies delivers a bird’s eye view of some of the most gorgeous natural sights this country has to offer. 
When transferring from Jasper to Banff along the spectacular Icefields Parkway, consider upgrading to the Six Glaciers Helicopter tour — glaciers, ice-capped volcanic peaks and sprawling forest views await.

[ Read: Best Time to go to Jasper ]

Relaxing Winter Pursuits

Looking for something a bit less exhilarating, but memorable all the same? Kick back, relax and enjoy the Canadian winter with these excursions. 

[ Read: Best Time to go to Canadian Rockies ]

• Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides: This is the perfect way to take in the snowy landscapes in comfort. Get cozy as you travel around the frozen wonder of Lake Louise or other scenic spots in the Rockies. Be on the lookout for wildlife like elk as you enjoy the scenic ride.
• Nordic Spa Hydrotherapy: Some of our winter trips in the Rockies and the Yukon include the option to add a Nordic Spa hydrotherapy experience, which involves a relaxing dip in heated water or hot sauna session before dipping into a cold plunge pool. This traditional Nordic activity has caught on in Canada and is becoming a major wellness trend. 

Winter Activities for the Active Traveller

If you prefer a more active excursion, the Canadian winter has plenty of choices. Strap on a pair of skates during your stay the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, book a day at ski resort, or book one of these immersive winter activities. 

• Dogsledding: For Indigenous Peoples and Canada’s early settlers, dogsledding was once a crucial way to traverse the rugged Canadian terrain in winter. Nowadays, modern vehicles make transportation far more convenient, but dogsledding persists as a popular winter activity. Add it to your trip in the Rockies or on your Northern Lights trips in Manitoba, Yukon or the  Northwest Territories.
  The intensity of this activity is generally family-friendly and relaxed but ideally riders should be in good health. With some suppliers, weight limits do apply.

• Snowshoeing: Snowshoes likely entered Canada more than 10,000 years ago, during ancient migrations from eastern Siberia. Since the mid-1800s, it's been a national favorite recreational activity in Canada and you can experience it on your Alberta or BC tours or when you take a Northern Lights trip in Manitoba, Yukon or Northwest Territories. Tours are generally accessible to people of all fitness and experience levels, though certain tours may cross more rugged terrain and recommend higher fitness levels.
  For travellers going to Metis Crossing, this unique destination offers an Indigenous perspective on the activity.

[ Explore: Best place to see Northern Lights in Canada ]

• Ice-Canyon Hikes: Avid hikers understand that any time of year is a good time to get outdoors. In the Rockies ice-canyon hikes is a favorite pastime. Johnston Canyon and Maligne Canyon are particularly famous destinations, taking you past icy waterfalls and deep ravines.
  Be aware that these treks can be particularly strenuous and moderate fitness is recommended.

• Snowmobiling: Snowmobiling is a convenient way to cross stretches of wilderness, but it's also an iconic Canadian winter experience. Access remote, scenic areas unreachable by other modes of transportation. Despite sitting on a vehicle, this activity is considered moderately intense and riding for an hour at a high intensity can burn as many as 600 calories per hour. Moderate fitness is recommended.
  These tours can be added to your tour in the Rockies, as well as to a Northern Lights trip in Manitoba, Yukon or Northwest Territories. 

Practical Tips for a Canadian Winter Vacation

Before you pack your bags, make sure you know to expect. Winter travel requires a different approach. 

What to Pack for a Winter Vacation

What to pack depends in part on where you intend to go and what you want to do. If you plan on spending much of your time exploring the outdoors, you need durable, highly-rated winter gear to protect you from the cold temperatures. Generally, you should bring plenty of layers — undershirts, leggings, sweaters —  as well as basic winter gear (hats, gloves, thick socks, scarves, jackets, winter boots and snow pants)

Luckily, you can rent warm winter gear for most of these activities and tours. Otherwise, you should bring everything you'd normally pack on a vacation (toiletries, phones and chargers, etc.)

Navigating Canadian Winter Weather in Canada

Winter weather can range from mild in Vancouver (average winter temperatures from November to February are 45 Fahrenheit) to extreme cold in the Northern regions. If you'll be somewhere temperatures tend to be low, or even put you at risk of hypothermia without the right gear, you need to ensure you pack the right clothes to stay safe. Try to follow these tips to make your outdoor excursions more comfortable:

• Dress in layers that are easy to put on and remove so you can add or remove layers as necessary to adjust how warm you feel.
• Keep Merino wool as your innermost layer touching your skin for leggings and tops. Add a layer of flannel or a thick, Merino wool sweater.
• Lined leggings or long johns can keep your legs warmer, especially if you're wearing jeans instead of snow pants.
• Bring both a heavy, bulky coat and a more travel-friendly, lightweight down coat, which can be used as an extra layer under your heavy coat for particularly cold days. Many tour suppliers offer winter coat and boot rentals.
  Bring winter hats to keep your ears and head warm. Gloves are essential to protecting your fingers. Many pairs are compatible with phones' touchscreens these days.
• Bring wool socks and don't be afraid to wear two pairs on particularly cold days when you'll be outdoors.
• Bring a good pair of weatherproof, waterproof snow boots to protect your feet.

[ Read: Best Time to Visit Vancouver ]

Canada's Winter Wonderland Awaits

All sorts of winter activities can be found in Canada, from dog sledding to sightseeing. These winter excursions show off the best Canada has to offer and bring you into unique environments you might not ordinarily be able to experience.
If you're unsure where to start, we're here to guide you, whether you want to tour the Rockies in winter or wander Canada’s big cities. Let's work together to make your personalized Canadian vacation unforgettable.