Winter Activities in Canada: 15 That Use a Whole Day Well

1.Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 394 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $291Our pick

Leave Banff early for an 11-hour journey along the Icefields Parkway, stopping at Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake before riding an Ice Explorer onto Athabasca Glacier. A picnic lunch, Glacier Skywalk, guide, and transport are included. Guides such as Neil, Georgia, Jake, and Chloe add local stories and wildlife tips.

“Levi was a wonderful guide. He explained everything about the glaciers history and sadly its probable disappearance in the decades to come. Would definitely recommend this tour!”

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2.Medicine Trail Snowshoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 279 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $117

Spend about three hours snowshoeing Whistler’s Medicine Trail in the Callaghan Valley. A guide leads you along an old trapper’s route beneath cedar, fir, and hemlock trees, with tea made from local medicinal plants and snacks along the way. Snowshoes, shuttle service, and a group capped at eight are included.

“The sights and sounds we're so relaxing to take in. I also enjoyed learning about the flora around us. Mel is a great guide and it helps that she loves this stuff! I didn't expect to be able to walk on a frozen lake at this time of year, so that was a nice surprise. Mel's professional, fun and knows her stuff.”

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3.Victoria Bites and Sights Walking + Ferry (winter Sat, Sun)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 242 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $63

Spend about two and a half hours walking through Victoria with a small group of up to 11 people. Your English-speaking guide leads you through Chinatown, Bastion Square, the Inner Harbour, and Market Square, with light snacks, local drink samples, and a short harbour ferry ride. Guides have included Fish, Gary, Julie, Roberto, Rebecca, and Michael.

“Easy walking. Pleasant harbour taxi ride. 2 stops for snacks and local drinks. The guide was knowledgeable and very friendly”

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4.Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Join Orca Spirit Adventures in Victoria for a three-hour winter Zodiac ride through the waters near southern Vancouver Island. A marine naturalist helps you watch for humpback whales, Bigg’s killer whales, seals, sea lions, otters, and bald eagles. You get a cruiser suit, hat, gloves, and access to a hydrophone for whale calls.

“This tour was fun and enjoyable, even in the rain! We walked around town, taste tested a range of food and, learnt so much about the history of the area. It felt good to support local businesses.”

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5.Winter Express: Old Montreal Highlights Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 119 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Walk Old Montreal for 90 minutes with a licensed local guide and a group of no more than 15. You will see the district’s essential landmarks, hear its story, and finish near Bonsecours Market. Guides such as Louis, Isabelle, Sylvia, Jeff, and Elise are praised for clear storytelling, practical tips, and careful pacing in icy weather.

“Sylvia was an amazing guide who gave us some more in depth insight into old Montreal. We highly recommend her as a guide.”

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6.Mont-Tremblant: Snow Tubing with a Mechanical Lift

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 94 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $27

Head to Snow Adventures Laurentians at the Ax Hotel, just 15 minutes from Tremblant Resort, for two to four hours of snow tubing. You get a tube, access to eight runs, and two mechanical rope tows. Choose a daytime or evening session, warm up indoors, and buy food onsite or bring lunch.

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7.Winter Wildlife Bus Tour in Jasper National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 93 reviews · 3h 30m · from $62

Spend 210 minutes touring Jasper National Park by comfortable sightseeing vehicle with a local English-speaking guide. You may spot elk, deer, sheep, goats, moose, coyotes, wolves, or birds while learning about winter survival, geology, and park history. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and small-group attention are included.

“Our tour guide was full of information and saw lots of wildlife. Good tour”

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8.Banff, Lake Louise and Johnston Canyon – Winter Wonderland Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $180

Spend about eight hours exploring Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Johnston Canyon, and the Bow Valley Parkway with a local Radventures guide. Expect a small group of up to 12, hotel pickup in Banff, crampons, poles, hot drinks, and time for skating or snowshoeing at Lake Louise, with rentals arranged separately.

“I had an amazing time! I can’t say enough about Simon, my tour guide. He was amazing, helpful and knowledgeable, friendly and kind! It was freezing on our tour (started around 5°F,) but I loved every second! Simon knew all the great picture spots, and very patiently helped us take them, and we lucked into perfect timing at Morant’s curve with the train coming! The hot chocolate after the beautifully chilly Johnston Canyon hike was soooo good! This experience was so worth it, I felt like I really got a lot out of the day, thanks to Simon!”

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9.Discover Lake Louise and Yoho In Winter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $186

Travel from Banff to frozen Lake Louise, Emerald Lake, and Natural Bridge in about seven hours. Your guide handles winter driving and shares local stories while you enjoy a lakeshore walk, gourmet lunch at Emerald Lake Lodge, hot chocolate, maple cookies, and s’mores. Pickup is available from Banff hotels, with groups capped at 24.

“Our guide nicole was very knowledgeable and super nice.Lake louise 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼.I would recommend this tour.”

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10.Winter Wildlife Discovery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 68 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67

Set out from Jasper with SunDog Tour Co. for a 3.5-hour search for elk, deer, moose, sheep, goats, coyotes, wolves, foxes, and eagles. Your guide, possibly Yvonne, Jeff, Christian, or another local expert, explains the valley’s wildlife, geology, fires, and mountain history. Pickup is available from Jasper hotels, and the small group is limited to 24 people.

“Unlucky we didn't see many annimals. The view of the rocky Mountain were realy amazing and the guide was realy entertaining with many stories to tell”

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11.Private Parc Omega Wildlife Safari – Winter Magic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 5 hours - 450 minutes · from $183

Ride from Ottawa to Parc Omega in a private SUV with guide Vivi or another multilingual guide. Feed deer and elk carrots from the vehicle, watch wolves, bison, wild boar, and seasonal bears, then explore designated areas on foot. Hotel pickup, park entry, water, wipes, and a bag of carrots per person are included.

“We had an amazing experience during the private wildlife adventure tour at at Omega Park! Our guide (Vivi) was incredibly professional and dedicated to her work :) She ensured that every moment of the safari was special! Her knowledge of the animals and the park’s ecosystem was truly impressive, and the way she shared fascinating stories about the wildlife made the tour even more engaging. We felt well taken care of the entire time – she paid attention to every detail, ensuring our comfort and safety. Thanks to her, we were able to see so many animals up close and learn interesting facts about them. It was truly an unforgettable…”

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12.Winter Niagara Wine Tour with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 54 reviews · 6 hours · from $69

Spend six hours touring Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country with a live English-speaking guide, complimentary tastings at three wineries, lunch at the Farmhouse Cafe, and shopping at Wayne Gretzky and Trius. Pickup is available in Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake. Winery stops can change with the season.

“It was wonderful! Very fun and informative, and the venues were great.”

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13.Toronto: Winter Niagara Falls Tour with Attractions Package

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 43 reviews · 9 hours · from $59

Travel from Toronto or Mississauga to Niagara Falls with guides such as Tracey, John, Paulie, and Suresh. You’ll stop at the Whirlpool and Maple Leaf Place, visit Journey Behind the Falls, and have time for lunch and Clifton Hill. Optional Skylon Tower and helicopter rides add cost but more views.

“We had the best time ever!!! Everything went amazing, the drive was so smooth and our guide, John, the older greek man, was so nice, he really made the experience unforgettable. He told us lots of stories and information about Niagara and Toronto, and he stopped for us to take pictures in very beautiful locations. I will definitely recommend this tour to my friends!”

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14.Quebec City: Winter Walking Tour in Old Quebec

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 30 reviews · 1h 30m · from $22Best value

Walk through Upper and Lower Old Quebec with a live English or French guide in period costume. You’ll see Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, historic churches, public squares, fortifications, and Petit-Champlain while learning how Quebec City’s people adapted to long Canadian winters. Chantelle is one guide praised for her lively, engaging style.

“Visite instructive et sympathique, on a passé un bon moment.”

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15.Jacques-Cartier National Park: Skiing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 4 hours · from $108

Leave Quebec City by small bus for a four-hour ski-shoeing outing in Jacques-Cartier National Park. Your English- or French-speaking guide teaches the basics, leads you along snowy trails, and points out forest life, park history, and animal tracks. Victor and Lorenzo have both guided this activity. Gear, lunch, hot chocolate, park fees, and transport are included.

“Victor a été notre guide pour la découverte du ski-raquette. C’était une superbe expérience, avec plein de conseils et d’informations sur la nature et l’histoire du parc. Un service de qualité pour garantir une expérience optimale !”

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