The Best Outdoorsy Winter Adventures in New Brunswick
Whether your idea of fresh air fun involves snowshoeing through snow-covered forests, pick-up pond hockey or bundling up to gaze at infinity and beyond, the province of New Brunswick punches above its weight during the winter months. Above-average snowfall and the inviting embrace of Acadian hospitality will leave you in no doubt about the wisdom of enjoying a frosty frolic on these six outdoorsy winter adventures on New Brunswick’s friendly maritime shores.
Hike the Williams Trail
This beautiful and scenic trail of moderate difficulty boasts incredible coastal views of the Bay of Fundy as well as some hidden beaches. In winter, crampons are required to safely access the steep cliffs edging portions of the Williams Trail, but the stunning seaside scenery will make the effort totally worthwhile, especially as it’s just 30 minutes from Saint John.
The nearly six kilometre out-and-back trail can take between 2-3 hours to complete depending on conditions and how often you stop to admire the views, rugged cliffs and the Cape Spencer lighthouse overlooking the magnificent bay.
Hit the Slopes
Yes, there is downhill skiing in New Brunswick—and an extra bonus, the mountains don’t include expensive, overcrowded mega-resorts. The province receives the most snow in the Maritimes, so the hills and runs are as amazing as any you’ll find in the region, but with room to enjoy the corduroy and all the wild beauty around you. The province’s largest ski vertical can be found at Crabbe Mountain, at 260 metres (853 feet). It’s one of four ski resorts that also include Sugarloaf, Mont Farlagne and Poley. From bunny hills to black diamonds, these alpine options will surprise and delight skiers and riders of all ages.
Sled in Mount Carleton Provincial Park
Get your motor running for an epic snowmobile adventure in view of the highest mountain in the Maritimes. New Brunswick is home to an impressive 80,000 kilometres of snowmobiling trails. Sledding in the shadow of Mount Carleton through the park’s protected and snow-covered pine forest, home to moose, red fox and white-tailed deer, is the perfect place to enjoy this popular motorized winter activity.
The heated grips and seats of the rented sleds help to keep the windchill at bay, and bowls of meaty chili or plates of poutine at the park’s Lodge-Café will warm you from the inside out at the end of your thrilling sledding adventure.
Go Ice Fishing
Drilling a hole in the inches-thick ice of the frozen boundary waters of North Lake west of Fredericton while staying cozy in a woodstove-heated tent or wooden shack and angling for perch or freshwater salmon is every fisher’s winter dream. A wonderful social activity to do with friends, ice fishing requires a New Brunswick freshwater angling license (around $23 CAD + HST) which will set you up to bait your line with minnows or wax worms for a successful catch of tasty fish to fry up in your lakeside cabin.
Snowshoe in Kouchibouguac National Park
Layer up for scenic snowshoeing along 30 kilometres of pristine trails in Kouchibouguac National Park. Located on the Acadian shore of northern New Brunswick, Kouchibouguac in winter is a snow-covered wonderland of boreal forest, important species of lichen and lots of bird and animal life.
Keep eyes sharp and binoculars focused on cagey river otters in the park’s creeks and rivers, and bird species like Black-capped Chickadees, Blue Jays, Woodpeckers Nuthatches and Grey Jays, as well as winter visitors like Dark-eyed Juncos, Pine Grosbeaks and waterfowl near the open water of the Northumberland Strait. The Park is also home to groomed fat-biking trails and 15 kilometres of cross-country skiing.
Catch a Falling Star
Fun fact: New Brunswick is home to three official Dark-Sky Preserves recognized by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC): Fundy National Park, Mount Carleton Provincial Park and Kouchibouguouac National Park. Winter is ideal for exceptional stargazing in the province thanks to the dry, cold air and minimal light pollution, providing some of the best astro-tourism in North America. Enjoy an unforgettable evening with Canada’s only astro-tourism consultant, Stephane Picard of Cliff Valley Astronomy. Picard narrates the story of our universe with passion and a deep knowledge of the stars as guests gaze through powerful telescopes and travel on a celestial journey through the cosmos. Be sure to layer up against the elements for these eventide adventures—the mercury drops after the sun sets.
