The Joy and Wonder of a Canadian Winter

26.12.2023 - 11:18 / breakingtravelnews.com

Winter is coming: Bring it on, say Canadians, who revel in the thrill and magic of the season. Visitors eager to experience the winter months (which in some regions can last from November to April) are always delighted by the expansiveness of nature and intimacy of culture, the ease of engaging in outdoor and indoor activities, and ultimately the warmth of the Canadian welcome.
Woven into the culture: Winter is part of the cultural identity of those living within Canada’s borders. According to the Canadian Encyclopedia, the Inuktitut dialect of Nunavik (Arctic Quebec) includes multiple words referring to snow and ice, from qanik (snow falling) to qinu (slushy ice by the sea). The Arctic Winter Games are a multi-sport and an Indigenous cultural event held every two years involving circumpolar peoples around the world. The 2022 Games were pushed to 2023 and held in Wood-Buffalo, Alberta. Yukon is a potential host in 2026. In Ontario, Thrive Tours’ Snowshoe Experience is an Indigenous interpretive guided snowshoe experience with snowshoes provided and and learning about local Indigenous culture, history, and the natural environment included.

Only in Canada: And is it really a surprise that the snowmobile and the snowblower were Canadian inventions? Or that Canada is the polar bear capital of the world, has the world’s largest naturally frozen skating rink and hosts the world’s biggest pond hockey tournament? Canada is also home to Hôtel de Glace, North America’s only ice hotel, and the crazy high-adrenaline winter sport of ice canoeing, something visitors can try themselves in Quebec
City, Quebec, with a tour offered through a company founded and owned by Julien Harvey. In this winter-themed story package, we explore the traditions, festivals, activities, and cuisine of the season; the accessibility and inclusivity of winter sports, whatever level of ability or sense of
adventure; the magic of the northern lights, always seen best from Canada; and the world’s largest (and perhaps oldest) winter carnival.

Read on and let Canada introduce you to your new favourite season.

Deep Dive: Carnaval de Québec Turns 70 (Though It’s Really Far Older)

It’s one of the world’s largest winter carnivals and one of the most popular winter celebrations in the world. Quebec Winter Carnival (Carnaval de Québec) is part of the fabric of Canada’s oldest and most historic city, and it celebrates the 70th anniversary of its current form for 10 days from February 2 to 11. Every year, local residents and about 500,000 visitors participate in a wide array of carnival activities for all ages including ice sculptures, night parades, ice canoe races, musical performances and Bonhomme’s famous Ice Palace.

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