TOP 10 Winter Adventures – Cures for Couch Potato Syndrome

Chalet on Mountain Peak

Dreaming of a white Xmas comes easy at this time of season in Canada. Snow is falling everywhere on the Canadian mountains, prairies and tundra. It is a beautiful thing to see.

Across the country, west to east, we are experiencing record snowfall on many of the resort mountains, prairie towns and eastern Canadian communities. In some communities it causes havoc, bad tempers and little patience. In our world it provides happiness, adventure and appreciation.

The exception to the snow rule this year.. is here, where we are stationed, on Prince Edward Island. We have sunshine, winds and blue skies. Something is wrong with this picture.

We want it to snow. And tons of it. Snowboards are waxed and visions of powder snow and moguls dance in our heads. But.. for now, we sit back, wait for snow, work on websites and watch as the rest of the country is developing into a Winter Wonderland.

Winter Wonderland from Mountain Peaks

It is a season of decisions for many. How and where do I want to spend my winter nights and days? Some Canadians decide, to leave the country for warmer climates. Makes sense to many when the cold and them do not see eye to eye. Often there are very good reasons for them to leave for hotter climates. Non, of which, I am familiar with or understand. Why leave when Canada enjoys some of the best landscapes for winter activity in the world.

Some, like us, look forward to the snow, frozen lakes and rivers.  The frozen tundra and snow capped mountain ranges provide a massive landscape for many different types of adventures. We have learnt that to live a life of adventure in Canada, it is important to show interest in, both, summer and winter seasons… or else, during the winter, couch potato syndrome sets in.

The key to enjoying the snow season is to involve yourself in a winter activity.

Winters do not have to be about icy roads, cold temperatures and long hours of television. No no no. Winters are about trying something new, getting better at something old therefore visiting areas of the country which thrive on winter. Every province and territory has an abundance of winter bliss.

Here are some adventures in Canada which make our TOP 10 Winter Adventures.

1. Plan a stay in a mountain chalet at one of Canada’s world class ski resorts like Whistler Mountain near Vancouver, Mount Washington on the west coast or Big White in the Okanagan Valley in the province of  British Columbia. Out east in Quebec there is Mount Tremblant  or Blue Mountain in Ontario. The list is huge. Who doesn’t like a day of skiing and then finishing up in your chalet by a warm fire and a cup of hot liquids – your choice on the liquids. [ more information about Canadian Skiing | Snowboarding ]
2. Take a trip up north to the Yukon and the Northwest Territory and stay in a lodge, igloo or cottage and watch the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis is a rainbow of greens, red and purples which dance across the skies. Truly heavenly sightseeing experience. [ more information about Canadian Northern Lights ]
3. Go on a snowmobile adventure and stay in a remote cabin with friends in the mountains. All around you are blankets of untouched snow , trails, frozen lakes and rivers. Your days are spent exploring the backyard of nature. It is an opportunity to experience the true sense of the word – winter wonderland. [ more information about Canadian Snowmobiling]
4. Looking for something warmer.. why not pack up your love ones and take a trip to a hot spring in the Kootenays. Hot Springs provide outdoor pools steaming in hot mineral waters, surrounded by beautiful snowscapes. Many have accommodations on site plus wellness services like spas and massages. [ more information about Canadian Hot Springs ]
5. One of the most fascinating adventures in the country, which sadly does not get allot of press is dog sledding. Take a step back in time and operate a sled and dogs exploring deep into the countryside. Many tours provide deluxe accommodations in lodges and cottages and some provide outdoor winter tenting facilities. [ more information about Canadian Dog Sledding ]
6. Want to spend some quality time with friends and family in a warm ice shack, huddled around a wood stove, enjoying laughs, old stories and lots of warm liquids then one might want to consider ice fishing. Until you have tried ice fishing, you do not know what you are missing. Bring good people along and you will have a blast. Who cares if you caught something or not. [ more information about Canadian Ice Fishing ]
7. For those who can afford it… a trip to the communities on Hudson Bay in Northern Manitoba and Ontario provide polar bear tours. Many communities are accessed from traveling on ice roads and via airplanes. The adventure within the adventure is the process of getting to and from the remote northern communities.
8. Did you know that many Europeans travel to Canada for the Nordic Skiing. Canada has some of the best XC Skiing trail networks in the world. Ski into some remote cabins like in the Tetrahedron Park on the Sunshine Coast.  Or stay in the communities where some trails are complete with night lighting, warming huts and lodges.  XC Skiing is a demanding sport with many tours and guides providing lessons. [ more information about Canadian XC skiing ]
9. Are you mesmerized by the powers of nature. Then plan a trip to a storm watching resort on the west or east coast of Canada like the communities of  Tofino and Ucluelet in British Columbia and island of Newfoundland n the Maritimes. Watch waves from a lobby or suit up in rain gear and get up close and personal while walking a beach. Nothing seems more soothing then giant waves crashing a beach, slamming up against giant rocks and sending a  thick mist into the air. It is the live version of relaxation tapes you buy at stores. [ more information about Canadian Storm Watching ]
10. There are thousands of kilometres of recreation trails throughout the country. Many of us mountain bike, backpack, horseback ride those trails in the summer. But how many have explored those same trails in the winter when the landscape is white and pristine. Snowshoeing is an excellent way to explore winter mountains. Some trails lead to remote winter huts and winter lodges. [ more information about Canadian Snowshoeing]

Exploring Glaciers in Canada

Winter tourism is what you make of it. The snow is just a reminder that we in Canada are blessed with two distinct adventure seasons.  Winter does not have to be about hibernation from the world and hiding away from activity.

Before you know it winter will be over and we will all be back in shorts and enjoying our favourite summer activities. And then at the end of summer we here will be wishing for another white winter season so we can play hard and often in the snow capped mountains