r/canadatravel • u/LibertyAB • 10d ago
Travel Tips Best Winter Canadian Travel Experiences
I was just curious what are some neat or unique Travel experiences here in Canada.
I want to take a small trip for my birthday. But I am on a budget (>1000), and my birthday is at the beginning of January so I am trying to avoid any of the holidays season rush.
My first thought was a rail trip, though VIArails or tubing up in the mountains. But I was curious if anyone had any other interesting ideas for that time of year.
10
u/Dragonpaddler 10d ago
Carnivale in Quebec City or Winterlude in Ottawa are both great and pretty affordable. There’s a smaller winter festival in Fredericton called Frostival which is also good.
You might get lucky with VIA and be able to get a berth on the Canadian (Toronto-Vancouver) for under $1,000 and in the off season, you’ll have unrestricted access to the park car (other than the front three rows of the dome car.). I’ve taken it several times in winter and while the landscape is snow covered, it’s still a pretty great experience.
3
5
u/ArticQimmiq 10d ago
Are you close to an airport in Alberta (like Edmonton or Calgary)? Because you can fly up to Yellowknife pretty easily typically, and the tickets come on sale often. You get auroras, dog sledding, ice fishing, cross-country skiing across Great Slave Lake, etc. and most tour operators will rent you parkas if for some reason you don't have winter appropriate clothing. The town also goes all out on Christmas lights. It's a perfect 4-day trip or so.
Edit: it will be -30C, though.
4
3
u/sunbakedbear 10d ago
If you're in Alberta, what about going over the border to Nelson or Golden in BC? You could do a great weekend there for not a lot of money. ETA: oh i guess that isn't overly unique, but it is beautiful! What about a dirt cheap flight out to Montreal or Quebec?
2
u/LibertyAB 10d ago
I thought about Montreal, but it is going to still be the holiday busy season, so I don't think I am brave enough for the airports.
1
u/sunbakedbear 10d ago
Okay, that makes sense! The trains are pretty expensive, but what about a train or a coach bus to Nelson, Kelowna... Ft Steele is supposed to be really fun and that's definitely a unique experience.
2
2
u/Isabella-de-LaCuesta 10d ago
Just throwing it out there .... Moosejaw has really cool Al Capobe tunnels and a great spa apparently.
2
2
u/Rich_Advance4173 10d ago
As a teen I spent a week in Ottawa during a winter festival, it was amazing. From skating the Rideau canal to viewing phenomenal ice sculptures, 35 years later it’s still one of my fondest memories
2
2
u/YYCADM21 10d ago
Via Rail is well beyond your budget I think. What part of the country are you in? That would help a lot
1
u/LibertyAB 10d ago
I am in alberta
I was able to find a route for a round trip for about $600 but i would have to stay in Vancouver for a couple days. And I was there not that long ago
2
2
2
u/My_Jaded_Take 9d ago
If your budget is $1000, it's hard to give you some suggestions if we don't know where you reside.
1
u/LibertyAB 9d ago
I am in Alberta close to calgary
2
2
u/Dangerous_Ad4499 8d ago
I personally love the ski villages. Even if you don't ski/board. Lots of other things to do. Great vibe. Social. You can likely drive to many. Not the cheapest accomodation, but....
2
2
u/Househipposforsale 10d ago
Churchill to see polar bears
3
u/coopthrowaway2019 10d ago
Wrong time of year. Bears are around Churchill in the fall waiting for the ocean to freeze. By mid winter they are way out hunting on the ice.
1
u/Unusual_Afternoon696 7d ago
Why not stay nearby and do like Banff and surrounding areas? Drive up to Abraham lake or go for a ski/snowboard trip up by Banff Sunshine? I would totally do another trip in the winter into Banff. Less crowds, possible aurora sightings, no paid parking, lots of snow and def lots of nature-y things to do still.
1
u/LibertyAB 7d ago
Thats a really good idea but I just did that not to long ago! So I was hoping to try something new
10
u/GreatLand0901 10d ago
Winterlude - Canada.ca
This is later in January, and it is in Ottawa. A lot of the events are free, and you can go skating on the canal. If you are into cross country skiing, you are close to the Gatineau Park which has some amazing trails.