Discover Canada’s Coziest Winter Getaways
La Niña is expected to bring colder snaps than normal this year, which won’t affect you much if you’re planning on spending your winter holiday snuggled in front of the fireplace watching the winter storms. In fact, it’s great if you’re planning on braving the frigidness of the Great White North indulging in winter sports. It’s not so good if you’re looking for a warm, cheap vacation or one that doesn’t involve international travel.
Warm travel destinations in Canada do exist, or well, ones with mild(er!) winters anyway. Weather aside, you’ll find these warm winter holiday destinations offer plenty of activities, great food, and little bit of something for everyone.
Victoria, BC
It would be amiss if we didn’t start this list with Canada’s warmest city – Victoria! The winters here are gloriously mild. So mild, in fact, that palm and banana trees survive here all year round. It means you can choose whether you fancy a few winter activities like ice skating or prefer a leisurely stroll around the city without losing sensation in your fingers and toes. The 105-year-old Sheringham Point Lighthouse or the trails around Whiffen Spit offer the opportunity to get those steps in and view some wildlife. If a day among the grapes is more your vibe, the Cowichan Valley, an hour north, is packed with boutique wineries. For something completely offbeat, take a hot tub boat (yes, you read that right) and explore the Upper Harbour and Gorge Waterway.
Kelowna, BC
This stunning lakeside community has a lot to offer its winter visitors. While powdery slopes of Big White are a stone’s throw away, there’s plenty to do in Kelowna that doesn’t involve skiing. Winter hikes at one of the many parks are a pleasure as Kelowna prefers skipping the rain in winter, thank you very much. The vineyards are open – check out the Summerhill Winery with its 8% replica pyramid– while a gentle stroll along the lakefront boardwalk before a sumptuous dinner makes for a very pleasant evening indeed. Stay at the Hotel El Dorado for an indulgent lakeside experience.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Winter is lobster season! Does one need a better reason than that? Every February, you can explore everything lobster as a part of Nova Scotia’s Lobster Crawl. When it comes to the weather, the ocean currents temperate with daytime temperatures rarely dipping below freezing. If you’re looking for that warm Xmas, then Halifax is the place to be as December is typically mild and green, winter doesn’t really set in until January.
The village of Peggy’s Cove, about an hour’s drive away, with picturesque houses, little red fish sheds, wave-washed boulders, and well-known lighthouse makes for a memorable day trip. For history buffs, the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is the perfect stop with its exhibit on the Titanic or check out the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and take in some art.
St. Catharines, Ontario
Most of Ontario gets cold in the winters, but St. Catharines benefits from its proximity to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie and the microclimate created by the Niagara Escarpment. Milder climates in early winter and March make it a perfect escape. Warm indoor events like music at the St. Catharines Farmers Market and performances at the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre are a delight to the senses. 90 kilometres of trails suitable for cross-country skiing make it possible to explore the great outdoors.
Vancouver, BC
Vancouver is one of the cities in Canada where you’re unlikely to encounter much snow at all, making it ideal for a quick warm city vacation. Get a mid-winter fix of Vitamin D as you stroll on the Sea Wall in the sunshine or get in a round of golf. If you’re missing your usual summer activities, then there are hiking and mountain biking trails that are open all year through. Bliss. But if “mild” still sounds too chilly, it might be time to think about breaking that passport out of storage. While Canada snuggles by the fireplace Australia is planning bonfires on the beach. Summer-soaked beaches, outdoor festivals, and warm evenings by the ocean are calling. From the café-lined streets of Melbourne to the coastal charm of Byron Bay and the Great Barrier Reef’s tropical glow, heading south for a few lets you swap snow boots for sandals without missing a beat.
