Fill Your Winter: Canadian Calendar of Outdoor Events
Are you looking for some active, exciting winter events this year? Read on, for some of Canada’s best — coast to coast:
January 11
Dion Snowshoe Running Series
The Dion Eastern Ontario Snowshoe Running Series opens its six-race series with the Summerstown Forest Snowshoe Race near Cornwall, Ontario. (healthandadventure.com)
January 12 to 18
National Learn to Ski & Snowboard Week
This weeklong event means cheap deals at your local hills on everything from lift tickets to lessons. It’s also a good opportunity to brush up on your technique before your next adventure. Check with ski resorts for specifics.
January 11 to 12
SnowDays Mountain Adventure Weekend
Highlighted by an ice-climbing tower in downtown Banff, this weekend of adventure-filled activities includes clinics, concerts and lots of hands-on fun. (banfflakelouise.com)
January 18
Avalanche Awareness Days
Get informed, learn skills and win prizes at events held across the country, including most ski resorts in the West, all promoting safe use of the winter backcountry. (avalanche.ca)
January 26
Hypothermic Half Marathon (Ottawa)
Possibly the coldest running series on earth, the Running Room’s Hypothermic Half Marathon takes place in 19 cities across Canada, January through March. This year it opens with a race in Ottawa. The perfect New Year’s resolution? (hypothermichalf.com)
January 31 to February 16
Carnaval de Quebec
Bonhomme, ice boat races, giant table soccer, snow tubing, horse derbies, ice slides and all the rest of the parades, concerts and events will be back for the 60th iteration of this annual winter festival in Quebec City. (carnaval.qc.ca)
February 7 to 9
Ironman Outdoor Curling Bonspiel
Curling was born on natural ice and this is one of the rare chances to experience the game as it was meant to be played. The fun tournament’s curling sheets are plowed out of the snow that covers the frozen Assiniboine River, near the Old Port area of Winnipeg. The event raises money for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. (ironmancurling.com)
February 7 to 15
Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival
Some of the most thrilling and fascinating mountain-themed flicks and speakers will light up the stage and screen in North Vancouver. Then watch for a travelling tour of the fest’s bests across the country. (vimff.org)
February 14 to 23
Silver Skate Festival
The main event of this Dutch-inspired affair, the highlight of winter in Edmonton, is the outdoor skating races — marathon and sprint distances. But there is also a winter triathlon, ice slides, snow sculpting, sleigh rides and lots more family fun. (silverskatefestival.org)
February 15
Actif Epica
Between the start (St. Malo) and finish (Winnipeg) of the Actif Epica lies 130 km of snow covered, wind blasted, frozen Manitoba prairie. The challenge: cross it by bike or foot as fast as you can, solo or in a team of two. (trailrunmanitoba.com)
February 16
Tri the Oval
Triathlons come in many variations, including this original from Halifax: a five-kilometre skate around the outdoor Emera Oval, six-kilometre mountain bike (probably on snow) and a 4.2-km run (also on snow). (facebook.com/TriTheOval)
February 21 to 23
Cold Smoke Powder Festival
This backcountry ski festival, based in Nelson, BC, is all about participation. Sign up for one of clinics — everything from learning the telemark turn to extreme skiing skills — compete in one of the events or races and then party at the themed socials. Or just shred the Kootenay cold smoke. (coldsmokepowderfest.com)
February 22 to 23
Defis du Parc Nordique
Endurance athletes descend on La Mauricie National Park, two hours from Quebec City and Montreal, for a trio of events: a nordic ski lopette, snowshoe running race and a one-of-a-kind nordic triathlon. (definordiuque.com)
End of February
Carnaval des glaces de Shippagan
To celebrate the (almost) end of winter, Shippagan, New Brunswick, throws a participation-heavy party. Check out the ice and snow sculptures, race a winter triathlon and compete in snow volleyball, snowgolf or yukigassen — a snowball fighting tournament. (facebook.com/Carnaval-des-Glaces-de-Shippagan/174135575956392)
February 28 to March 2
Nipigon Ice Fest
By late February, the ice is thick on the dozens of frozen waterfalls and seeps east of Thunder Bay. It’s a perfect time for ice climbers from across the east to hit the north shore of Superior for clinics, slide shows, speakers and parties. (nipigonicefest.com)