A common misconception among newcomers is that winter is boring because you would need to be indoors.

In Manitoba, winter is a great time to explore the outdoors, have fun and learn new pastimes. These activities will help you acclimatize to the weather too. Staying active will help your body adjust faster to the cold and stave off the winter blues.

When I came to Manitoba, I wanted to learn how to ice skate as a way to embrace winter. But because of work and other priorities, I never got around to it. I promised myself that this year is the year to do it! If you’re interested in ice skating too, check out:

• The City of Winnipeg Community Centres – The Learn to Skate program offers 10 weeks of lessons (30 minute classes) with trained instructors. You will need skates, a snow suit and a helmet. Check the Leisure Guide Skating Brochure for more information.
• Free skating programs from Settlement Provider organizations – Organizations like IRCOM and Mosaic Newcomer Family Resource Network offer free skating lessons to immigrants during the season (usually around Feb-Mar).
• Here’s a list of indoor and outdoor skating ponds and rinks all over the city (usually opens mid-late December): Winter Skating, and of course at The Forks where there are cozy warming huts waiting for you along the trail. Check these sites before you go to know which facilities or trails are open.

Aside from ice skating, here are other great winter activities you can try:

Fun in the snow

Have you tried building a snowperson in your backyard yet? Do it when there’s enough snow (and there’s never been a lack of it in Manitoba). You can also have snowball fights with your friends. Even just walking around in the neighbourhood is a great way to de-stress and get some fresh air. Make sure to wear proper winter clothes when doing these activities.

• Tobogganing – Get a toboggan at a grocery, hardware or even a dollar store near you. Next, find a hill in your neighbourhood (in Winnipeg, use this list: hills and slides.) Then, hike up to the top of the hill. Finally, sit on your toboggan, hold on for dear life, then slide! Reset and repeat! It’s great fun for the kids and an awesome cardio workout for the young at heart.
• Snowshoeing, skiing and skijoring – The best places to experience snowshoeing for free is at Fort Whyte Alive or at the Living Prairie Museum. Equipment is provided on a first-come-first-served basis. Just be ready with your winter boots. Both places hold their free events in January. Check announcements or go to their sites to check exact dates. You can also try cross-country skiing at Fort Whyte. However, skiing will need a bit more of skill than snowshoeing. For lessons, you can check out Windsor Park Nordic Centre. For cross country ski trails in Winnipeg, see this list: cross country skiing. You can also try skijoring, which is also cross-country skiing but with a team of dogs. Check out this video of Windsor Park Nordic Center to see the fun family activities there:
  

  Windsor Park Nordic Center from David Warrenchuk on Vimeo.

• Crockicurl – This is a unique outdoor game that combines two Canadian pastimes – crokinole and curling (read What is crokinole? Canada’s lesser-known sports, games and pastimes to know more). You can play crokicurl with your friends for free at The Forks. If you need a guide, you can find the rules of the game beside the rink. You can also watch an ongoing game to see how it’s done.
• Sleigh rides – Sightseeing at a leisurely pace on a sleigh pulled by horses is one of the best winter experiences anyone could have. In Winnipeg, sleigh rides are available at Assiniboine Zoo, Bird’s Hill Park, or at The Forks. Meanwhile, there are horse-drawn wagon rides at the Oak Hammock Marsh in Stonewall. This activity is usually offered from December to January.
• Ice climbing – If you like rock climbing or if you’re the adventurous type, go to Whittier Park (141 Messager St. in St. Boniface, Winnipeg) and try scaling its three-sided ice tower, known to be Canada’s largest at 20 metres. No announcements have been made whether the tower will be available this year (as of this writing), but the season starts at the end of December until March. So let’s wait and see!
• Ice fishing – With its many lakes, many Manitobans are naturally into ice-fishing. Experience the popular Canadian pastime this year. The season starts around late January. You will need to get a fishing licence before you go. Know more about ice fishing here: Manitoba 2024 Anglers’ Guide.

Go to Winter festivals

There are many celebrations and festivals in Manitoba from November to early May. Enjoy various sports, music, arts, cultural and even historical activities all over the province that will excite, entertain and enlighten you. Check out our list of Manitoba’s Winter Festivals for more information.

Relax at a spa

Have you tried Thermea yet? The best time to go to this spa is in winter to enjoy the hot pools and saunas, massage, and tea! Many go to Thermea to experience the polar dip (a cold pool you immerse into before going to the hot pool), which is said to have therapeutic effects. Bring a swimsuit and flip-flops, as well as a bathrobe (you can also rent one for the day) for a wonderful day of self-care and pampering!

Indoor fun

If you’ve had enough of the outdoors, you can always enjoy fun activities inside. Thrill-seekers will have a great time at escape rooms, indoor kart tracks, or watching hockey games at the Canada Life Centre in downtown Winnipeg. Meanwhile, Manitoba’s awesome museums are always open to enlighten. You can also visit the Assiniboine zoo, tour the Manitoba Legislative Building, or go to your Community Centre to get some exercise or to socialize.

Soon you’ll discover that you don’t even mind the minus whatever temperature. Stay active and have fun in winter!
 
Article updated December 2, 2024.
 
Sources: 10 unique winter activities you have to try in Winnipeg Manitoba, Tamara Elliot, Globe Guide; 10 fun Winnipeg winter activities, Frank Motors Team; and Free winter activities around Winnipeg, Winnipeg.ca. Accessed November 8, 2019.