Winter is here, but if you're new to Winnipeg (or you just need some new inspiration), how do you make the most of the colder months? The PACE team have put together a list of some of our favourite winter activities! Of course make sure you're following all provincial public health guidelines when you're out and about. For current guidelines on outdoor activities in parks during the pandemic, read this.

Top 10 #GetOutside Winter Activities

1. See the Christmas lights around the city

Get in the Christmas spirit by taking yourself (and your family) on a driving tour of Christmas Lights around the city! You can use the Google Maps tool to plan your journey. The map marks locations by how decorated they are (from lightly decorated to extravagant and includes themed streets, like Candy Cane Lane!

Check the Facebook Group for more tips as well.

If you’re feeling extra festive, check out the Canad Inns Winter Wonderland Drive Thru light show at the Red River Exhibition grounds. Canad Inns Winter Wonderland is Manitoba’s largest drive-thru light show and provides a brilliant presentation of over one million lights in 26 different theme areas.

Tickets:

• Advance Price: $15 (plus GST) for one family vehicle with up to seven passengers.
• Prices at the Gate vary depending on vehicle type & number of passengers. Cash, Visa, MasterCard and debit are accepted

2. Toboggan!

Feel the rush of winter as you slide around some of the city’s toboggan hills. Bring your own toboggan or sled and enjoy some slip-sliding fun. Visit the City of Winnipeg Toboggan Hill’s webpage for more information.

A couple of favouirte hills include:

• Harbour View
• Garbage Hill
• Kings Park
• La Barreirre

Visit the City of Winnipeg’s outdoor recreation information page for using city facilities under current provincial restrictions.

3. Go for a walk

Whether it’s around your neighbourhood or through some of the amazing city parks, there are many trails and pathways to explore around the city.

A few of our favourites are:

• Bois-des-Esprit – there are several carved trees along the trails – find them off John Bruce Road.
• Assiniboine Park & Forest
• Seine River Trail
• Little Mountain Park
• Churchill Drive
• Sturgeon Creek Greenway

Visit Winnipeg Trails for a list of amazing trails around the city, including maps with points of interests marked out for each or use the City of Winnipeg’s Interactive Map (or the Mobile Friendly) version to find a park.

4. Visit The Forks

While The Forks indoors spaces are closed under current provincial restrictions, the amazing outdoor spaces are open for visiting. Visit after dark for a magical winter walk through the annual light display. Many restaurants and retailers at The Forks have options for curbside pickup or delivery. Keep an eye on The Forks website for up-to-date information about what’s open and closed or follow their social media for updates on River Trail progress, where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers are transformed into skating rinks, ice-conditions permitting (please follow all posted signage regarding whether it is safe to access the rivers!)

5. Visit FortWhyte Alive

Whether it’s by foot, bike, or snowshoe, experience the restorative power of time in the forest at Fort Whyte Alive. Explore their 7km trail network through prairie, marsh, aspen forest, and lakes... and see if you can spot the bison!

Admission is $5, and free for members. They are only accepting contactless card payment at this time. Winter hours are 9am-5pm. Trails can be accessed for free if you walk/bike/snowshoe in to either the South or North entrances.

6. Explore the wetlands in the winter

Be like a bird and spend some quality winter time at Oak Hammock Marsh where – aside from birding – activities include snowshoeing and skating on the frozen wetland.

7. Star gaze

Bundle up and head outside at night to stargaze (and maybe catch a glimpse of northern lights, if you’re lucky). Seeing the stars can be tricky with the lights of the city, so for the best views, head out of town (you don’t need to go far) to see the stars in all their glory.

Check out the Manitoba Museum’s Current Night Sky page for what to keep an eye out for when turning your gaze upward.

Check the aurora borealis forecast if you're hoping to see northern lights. You'll have the best chance to see them when the activity level is marked 4 (active) or above.

8. Go skiing

We might be on the prairies, but we know how to transform a hill into a winter wonderland. With several ski hills and winter sports parks, you can still hit the slopes near Winnipeg.

• Asessippi Ski Area
• Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes
• Holiday Mountain
• Spring Hill Sports Park:

Please check each ski area’s website for pre-booking information and other pandemic protocol before heading out! We wouldn’t want you to be disappointed!

For those who like skiing, but not the rush of careening downhill, go cross-country skiing if you have the gear (or can score the gear secondhand on Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace)! There are many cross country ski trails in and around the city – or just a short drive away. Visit the Cross Country Ski Association of Manitoba’s Where to Ski page for updates on what trails are open/groomed.

9. Go skating

Now that winter seems to have arrived “for real” outdoor rinks  across the city at community centers and in city parks are opening for the season. The duck pond at Assiniboine Park is scheduled to open as a winter skating pond, and if conditions allow the River Trail (accessible from The Forks) are popular places to skate.

Do not skate on any retention ponds around the city! These are not safe! Visit the city’s website for more information.

10. Go ice fishing

This might take some research, gear, and $$, but if it’s safe to do so, and you have all the gear, ice fishing is a favourite winter activity among many Manitobans. Depending on pandemic restrications, facilities like FortWhyte Alive (see #5 on our list) offer the opportunity to give ice fishing a try!

Top 5 #StayHome Activities

Prefer to beat the cold from inside your home? Combine activities from the list below!

1. Watch Sports

Watch winter sports while you #stayhome!

Hockey not your thing? There are many different sports that can be streamed for free from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s website. From alpine skiing to bobsled, get your fill of winter sports online.

2. Netflix (and chill)

Find a binge-worthy series on the streaming service of your choice and give yourself permission to watch the whole show in a couple of sittings (we won't judge).

3. Learn how to cook something new

There are soooo many food blogs out there that you don't need to look far to be inspired to add something new to your culinary repertoire - or ask a classmate for one of their favourite recipes and give that a shot!

4. Read books (that aren’t textbooks)

Choose fiction, faction, or something like an autobiography and get lost in a book (or two) this holiday break. Go on and read something that isn't for class!

5. Indulge in your favourite seasonal drink

Whether you decide on a mulled wine, hot chocolate, festive tea, or another  beverage, this suggestion pairs well with, well, everything on this list!

If all else fails, do homework!