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Don’t ski? Try these Canadian winter activities instead

International Traveller

Not everyone loves to schuss down the side of a mountain. Here are nine fun things to do during a Canadian winter for folks who like the outdoors but don’t want to ski.

Skating in Toronto

Toronto has one of Canada’s best-known outdoor rinks, a large affair that sits in front of the city’s iconic, twin-spired City Hall.

You can bring your own skates or rent them from the kiosk. The rink is artificially frozen so you don’t have to worry about weather.

New Year’s Eve is a wildly popular time to skate here, so arrive early if that’s your plan.

There’s another large rink at Harbourfront but it can get a little windy down at the lake. nathanphillipssquareskaterentals.com

Dog-sledding in Canmore

This is one of the most iconic winter activities you can undertake in Canada.

The dogs love this as much as the people, barking and yelping as the sled owners get them ready for a mad dash.

Sliding across a frozen lake under the icy-blue Alberta winter sky a few years ago was one of the most stunning experiences I’ve ever had in this country.

Try Mad Dogs and Englishmen Expedition for a fun ride.

Riding a sled in Le Massif

This is an easy but thrilling experience that you can take at your own pace.

Le Massif is a, well, massive (7.5-kilometre) downhill run west of Quebec City in the Charlevoix region.

After a short lesson, you get to lie down on a sled and schuss your way down a series of winding trails, with the St. Lawrence River glittering in the distance below your feet.

There’s a halfway point for hot chocolate or coffee. A truly fantastic experience.

Quebec Carnaval

This is the most iconic winter festival in the world, with everything from kids’ rides to parades to outdoor sledding in one of the world’s most romantic cities.

Try some frozen maple syrup on a stick or visit an old cabin to see what life was like in Canada back in the 1700s. Have your picture taken with the Carnaval mascot, the much-beloved Bonhomme (don’t forget to have a dance with him).

The city’s restaurants and bars go wild during Carnaval.

There’s also an ice palace you can tour or even spend the night in, made with enormous blocks of ice harvested in the area. Next year’s event runs January 29 to February 12.

Scandinave Spa Whistler

This is decadence beyond belief; a fantastic wellness centre with a series of warm, hot and cold pools in the outdoors, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and fragrant, deep-green trees.

They also have a series of steam rooms (some with soothing eucalyptus to make Aussies feel at home) and saunas to warm your bones and send your troubles packing.

When you’re finished, sip on locally produced Namasthé Tea in the woodsy Scandinave Cafe.

Snowshoe in Alberta

This is a winter activity that’s easier than it looks, thanks to modern equipment and lightweight shoes made for Alberta’s light, fluffy snow.

I did a hike a couple years ago near the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise: a glorious couple of hours through waist-high powder in pristine conditions.

Okay, minus-16 Celsius is a tad cold for some folks, but if you’ve got the right clothing, the exercise will warm you up in no time. A brilliant way to escape into the bush and appreciate the beauty of a Canadian winter.

Winter surfing in Nova Scotia

This is for the really, really hardy folks out there. I mean, anyone can surf at Bondi in January. But to head out into the waves at Lawrencetown Beach near Halifax in January when it’s zero Celsius or colder?

That takes courage. You can surf here year-round but often the biggest waves come at the coldest time of year, so get out there and get to it. novascotia.com

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Fat-tyre biking and biathlon

Fat-tyre biking is catching on around the world, with special, heavy frame bikes and wide tyres with knobby treads that do well on packed snow.

It’s a very strange – but enjoyable – feeling to pedal about on an upright bike in the snow. Small hills are a challenge, but downhill is a ton of fun. They have them for rent at the Whistler Olympic Park.

They also have a program where you can pretend you’re an Olympic biathlete, taking part in cross-country skiing and then rifle shooting.

Quite an insight into a very demanding sport. whistlersportlegacies.com

Montreal en Lumière

The city of Montreal comes alive with light every winter, with hundreds of light fixtures all over the town.

You’ll find marvellous concerts and exhibits from a city with joie de vivre to spare, as well as free outdoor events.

Look for enormous puppets, as well as ziplines and fashion events.

Special dining programs also are part of the festivities. Next year’s event runs February 23 to March 12 and will be the 18th annual running. montrealenlumiere.com

Need more non-ski holiday ideas?

If you need inspiration for more non-ski ideas, here’s a few of our favourite picks from our list of 100 Things to do in Canada Before You Die:




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5 things every hotel needs for a more restorative stay

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

    The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

    1. Easy access to good food

    meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
    Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

    One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

    In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

    In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

    Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

    At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

    While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

    It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

    2. Better sleep options

    Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room
    Sleep deeply with Novotel.

    There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

    For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

    The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

    3. More ways to move

    woman hiking around queenstown new zealand
    Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

    Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

    At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

    Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

    4. Better connections

    Novotel Sharm El Sheikh
    Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

    One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

    Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

    A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

    5. Location is everything

    Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld
    Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

    Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

    All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

    Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.