Love a good winter adventure? You’ll love Ottawa, a city with more outdoor activities than any other urban destination in Canada. From skating to skiing to breaking a sweat on a chilly dance floor, make the most of the season with these top winter experiences in Canada’s capital region. Bundle up!
Enjoy some of the best public skating in the world
Ottawa is home to a sprawling landscape of skateable ice, from the forest to the city centre. One of the best places for public skating is the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world, the Rideau Canal Skateway. At 7.8 kilometres long (4.8 miles), it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an Ottawa rite of passage. Check the ice conditions before you head out.
And let’s not forget the new synthetic rink in the ByWard Market. If you’ve ever wanted to skate on an historic downtown street surrounded by charming lights, decor and small businesses, now’s your chance. The new public skating rink is open daily on William Street from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., November 22 to February 17. Skate rentals are available on site.
Experience almost any winter thrill
Gatineau Park, a 15-minute drive north of downtown Ottawa, is a gold mine for outdoor activities. Pick up a trail pass online or at the Visitor Centre in Chelsea, then bundle up for some of the best snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat biking around.
If down-hill skiing or snowboarding is more of your thing, Camp Fortune and Mont Cascades are both within driving distance of downtown Ottawa and have runs for all skill levels.
More of a sled head? Bring or rent a Ski-Doo and embark on a motorized adventure that’ll show you a different side of the Ottawa Valley. More than 80 percent of the region is rural, threaded with snowmobile trails conveniently sprinkled with pubs, breweries and places to stay. Local snowmobile clubs and associations have all the trail maps, guides and resources you need.
Hit up the coolest party in town
If winter sports don’t satisfy your sense of adventure (though they will), how about a winter music festival? As part of Winterlude, Igloofest is coming to the Place des Festivals Zibi in Gatineau, a snowball’s throw from downtown Ottawa.
From February 13 to 15, warm up on the coldest dance floor in the world with some of the biggest artists in electronic music. Oh, and charge your phone for pictures; the view of downtown Ottawa and Parliament Hill from across the Ottawa River is, well, picture-perfect. Get your Igloofest tickets now.
Sleep with wolves — literally
Campsites, cabins, cottages — the Ottawa region has them all. But if you’re looking for a particularly unforgettable lodging experience in nature, you’ll find it at Parc Omega.
Explore the wildlife park during the day then stay overnight in a cozy Wolf Cabin in the wolves’ natural habitat. Wary of wolves? The park has other accommodations, too, from yurts to chalets. Book your stay in advance.
Rest up for your next adventure
It’s hard work playing all day. Rest and reenergize at Nordik Spa-Nature, North America’s largest spa, 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa. The indoor-outdoor Scandinavian-style oasis — which focuses on the benefits of thermotherapy — offers hot and cold pools, various saunas, spa treatments, dining options and more.
And just as close is Kōena Spa, another Nordic-style thermal escape, located along the Ottawa River. Be sure to spend some time in the Himalayan salt room, a sweet experience that purifies the mind.
