5 ways to get outside this winter—that aren’t skiing
Skip the skis and try these winter sports instead.
When I moved to Ottawa 17 years ago, I was determined to learn how to ski so I could enjoy the four months of snow and cold we get here in Canada’s northern capital. However, after falling over on nearly every bunny run across the province, I discovered skiing doesn’t exactly come naturally to me. Instead, I've been getting my winter adventure kicks on ATVs, snowmobiles, dogsleds, and snowshoes, which help me whip across frozen lakes or navigate snowy trails to enjoy the season without landing on my butt.
If the thought of hurtling down a mountain at breakneck speed on two planks fills you with a sense of dread like it does for me, check out this selection of winter sports across North America that are all off-piste. Take your pick and get active outdoors this winter.
ATVs and snowmobiles
Exhaustion level: 4/10
My favorite place to go: Montebello, Quebec
If you’re not interested in skiing but still enjoy thrillingly fast adventures, try out some motorized winter sports like ATVing and snowmobiling at the BRP Experience Center in Montebello, Quebec, just a 1.5-hour drive from Montreal. Certified guides outfit you with a snowsuit, helmet, gloves, and boots, before heading to your Ski-Doos to review safety guidelines. And if you prefer to be a passenger as I did on a trip to celebrate my husband’s birthday, choose a Can-Am side-by-side ATV adventure, where you can enjoy the views and leave the driving to someone else. I let my hubby take the wheel on a somewhat bumpy ride over ancient forests covered in a blanket of snow and, with the help of our guide and his binoculars, we managed to spot several bunnies and even a turkey vulture during our ride.
The BRP Experience Center is on-site at the Fairmont Le Château Montebello, but you don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to enjoy the activities on offer. After all that adventure, head inside for a mug of hot cocoa and warm up around their glorious lobby fireplace. Also in Montebello, you’ll find Kenauk Nature where you can try out a range of winter activities, including ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and dog sledding.
Other places to try snowmobiling:
Fat biking
Exhaustion level: 7/10
My favorite place to go: Boulder, CO
Fat bike tires are more than double the width of a normal bike tire, with the ability to make tracks through snow and ice with ease—and Boulder makes for the perfect place to try your hand at the sport, thanks to its network of well-maintained trails and a community of enthusiastic cyclists.
To get started, stop by University Bicycles, where you can rent fat bikes and get expert advice on nearby trails for all experience levels. Just three blocks from the store, you can hit the popular multi-use paved 7.5-mile-long trail at Boulder Creek Path which offers a car-free way to explore the city center. Afterwards, grab some lunch on Boulder’s Pearl Street, which is lined with dozens of restaurants to choose from. Try Salt for a farm-to-table experience and delicious brunches complete with homemade pickles.
Stay centrally at the Hotel Boulderado, which has excellent guest reviews extolling the central location and spacious rooms, and is just a stroll from the Downtown Boulder Historic District.
Other places to try fat biking:
Snowshoeing
Exhaustion level: 3/10
My favorite place to go: Calabogie, Ontario
Calabogie, just over an hour's drive from Ottawa, is home to one of the highest snowfall averages in Ontario, as well as the tallest public ski resort in the province, Calabogie Peaks. Ski-averse travelers will find plenty to enjoy here in the winter months—namely, snowshoeing, a low-impact sport that involves walking in specially framed footwear that evenly distributes your weight so that you don’t sink into the snow.
At Calabogie Peaks, take the chairlift up the mountain and then snowshoe down on easy to moderate trails like to the Eagles Nest Lookout, which offers great views of the Madawaska Highlands after an enjoyable winter hike. If you’re looking for more of a challenging trek, the Eagles Nest Lookout connects to Manitou Mountain Trail for a 6.4-mile hike. We hiked up to the lookout in light snow with our 9-year-old son in tow and found it to be a fun winter walk.
Off-piste, stay at the charming Somewhere Inn, a trendy boutique hotel with cabin-inspired rooms and a lounge screening Friday night movies. They offer snowshoe rentals and guided hikes around the local area. We also enjoyed the pizza and a pint special at Calabogie Brewing Co, before heading back to the inn for toasted marshmallows over the outdoor firepit and a visit to their wine bar. Next time we’re planning on an adults-only trip to savor the in-room soaker tub and cozy fireplace for a winter couple's retreat.
Other places to try snowshoeing:
Ice skating
Exhaustion level: 6/10
My favorite place to go: Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa, Canada is home to the Rideau Canal, which freezes to become the world’s largest skating rink and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bring your own skates or stop by the Capital Skates hut under the Mackenzie King Bridge to rent a pair and enjoy winter views as you glide along the ice. Last year, for the first time the canal did not freeze and although officials are predicting a return to normal in 2024, if it’s still slushy when you visit, skate at the free, outdoor Rink of Dreams at Ottawa City Hall, which is open from December until March.
At both spots, you can grab a Canadian delicacy from the BeaverTails stand. Don’t worry, no beavers were harmed in the making of this sweet treat made from a flat pastry and finished with your choice of sweet or savory toppings. (I always go for the classic recipe with cinnamon and sugar on top.)
If you visit in February, you can enjoy the annual Winterlude festival featuring beautiful ice sculptures, family-friendly activities, and a giant Snowflake Kingdom. Stay at the Andaz Ottawa ByWard Market which is steps away from restaurants, stores, and Parliament Hill.
Other places to ice skate:
Surfing
Exhaustion level: 9/10
My favorite place to go: Tofino, Vancouver Island
If you still want to stay active this winter but aren’t keen on playing on the slopes, head to Tofino on Vancouver Island, where you’re more likely to see rain than snow and can surf well into winter. Temperatures here, even in December, hover between a low of 37.4°F and a high of 44°F, which is practically balmy compared to the temps on Canada’s east coast. Winter waves in Tofino are considered smooth and surfable, meaning they are suitable for all levels.
Surfing in the Pacific Ocean during the winter months will require more than your average wetsuit, so take lessons from Surf Sister Surf School, which comes with expert instruction and all the gear you need: a snug, warm winter wetsuit complete with booties, gloves, and a hood. (I actually prefer to surf in winter as the full-coverage wetsuit gives my skin some protection from the rough texture of the board that usually irritates me when surfing just in a bathing suit.)
For easy access to the surf, bed down at the casual-but-luxe Pacific Sands Beach Resort, located right on Cox Bay.
Other places to surf in winter:
For a slightly different twist on skiing: Skijoring
Exhaustion level: 6/10
If you don't mind being on skis—and, importantly have good balance—but don't want to go downhill, bring your pup along and try out skijoring. This sport involves being pulled on cross-country skis by either a dog or a horse—it’s a bit like dog sledding, but standing up.
At The Resort at Paws Up in Montana, there are numerous trails, dog-friendly accommodations, and a training course where your dog can practice the basics. They really love dogs here and will provide your pup with a complimentary kennel and a bag of homemade treats. There are even dog-friendly snacks on the room service menu. (If you’d rather take in the winter scenes from a cozy seat, the resort also offers traditional dog sledding from a team of Alaskan Huskies.)
