Tired of the Same-Old Winter Activities? Winnipeg Has Revamped the Season

Canada’s version of Chicago offers the world’s largest snow maze, an ice-climbing tower, dinner on a frozen river, and much more.

If you ’ve ever dreamed of starring in your own Hallmark Christmas movie , we ca n’t serve you there , but the metropolis of Winnipeg will get you semi - close . Manitoba ’s wintry capital city has do as the backdrop for the cinematography of numberless marrow - warm holiday film , unremarkably on the cinematic streets of the picturesque Exchange District . The downtown locality ’s 1920s - era architecture and embarrassment of snowflakes that seem to perpetually accrue , take after take , will have you feeling all sorts of romantic clichés .

Despite being more of a passage hub for travelers heading up to the famous township ofChurchill(a.k.a.the ‘ Polar Bear Capital Of The World ’ ) at the tender top of the province , Winnipeg is worthy of its own trip . With in earnest negative temperatures , curt winds strap through street , lode of snow , and zero school cancellations even in blizzard condition , it ’s no surprise the Canadian city has attain nicknames like “ Winterpeg ” and “ The Chicago of the North . ”

The lengthy yearly freezing does n’t stop Manitobans from having a sound fourth dimension though — in fact , they make the most of the cold with creative and inventive activity . From the unique culinary scene to the world ’s largest snow maze , there ’s no famine of frozen fun to be had in the majuscule of the Canadian region that loves being weird in a marvellous manner .

winnipeg

The Forks

Pack your windbreaker and dive into Winnipeg ’s wintertime wonderland with these top things to do , see , and eat in the capital of Manitoba . And remember , you are n’t a on-key Winnipegger unless youdrink a slurpee alfresco in the middle of January … but these wintry activities are a good start .

Eat like a Winnipegger

Your winter body is n’t going to build up itself . fortunately , Winnipeg ’s unique intellectual nourishment view is here to aid . With so many Winnipeg - specific foods to try , you could easily spend a whole day eating your path through neighbourhood after neighborhood . Get toClementine Cafein the Exchange District right at opening ( 9 am ) for snag a table at the city ’s most popular brunch spot . rapier into mayhap the bestandthickest maple braise Francis Bacon you ’ll ever have , or go outside with the Turkish Eggs .

principal toThe Forks , an indoor market and historically societal - coming together place where the Red and Assiniboine rivers join . seize a cinnamon bun fromTall Grass Prairie , wager one of the onsite board games , store for a souvenir , and you well save room forZorba’schicken fingers and honey dill sauce for dipping — it ’s one of Winnipeg ’s culinary claims to fame . Is it the best dipping sauce in the humankind ? you may be the judge .

grouse it up with the classic Fatboy burger and quintessential Manitoba thing ; a fast - food flair burger and baggy joe hybrid all in one messy ( and mayo - y ) , but delicious solidifying of fanny . There are many establishments who declare they serve up the best chili - topped Fatboy hamburger , but if you try the honest-to-god - fashioned food stand likeJunior’s , Super Boy ’s Restaurant , orMrs . Mike ’s , you really ca n’t go wrong .

winnipeg exchange district

Photo courtesy of Travel Manitoba

Top it all off and plow your taste buds to a Shmoo Torte at the cute - as - can - beBaked Expectations , the sweet portion of eating like a Winnipegger . blister cream , pecans , and caramel sauce grace a fluffy angel food bar foundation ; the first bite will leave youshwooning .

Go kicksledding, skating, or ice-cycling on the River Trail

All that feeding means it ’s time to move a bit , and what good way to immerse yourself into Winnipeg ’s frigid shenanigans than along the free - to - get at Nestaweya River Trail , hailed as one of Canada ’s long skating route . Stretching 4–6 international mile ( depending on conditions ) along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers , it ’s a communal destination for fat - tire biking , ice skating , cross - country skiing , ice - cycling , and kicksledding .

The trail typically opens up at the beginning of January and is groomed day by day . convey your own gear or rent from The Forks location or by the Granite Curling Club sphere of the lead .

Anyone can bilk - country ski or go fat tyre biking pretty much anywhere — might as well get down with eldritch Winnipeg and try theice - cycleor the Nordic - infusedkicksled , which demands a bit more cardio natural process . Propel yourself down the river trail with a thrill of your leg on a skis - meet - sleigh piece of apparatus that will have you huffing , puffing , and laugh as you get your winter workout in , Winnipeg - style .

winnipeg restaurants

The Forks

Stop at the precious and artsy thaw huts along the way to deice a number , all of which are make by winners of the annualArt + Architecture rival .

Get lost in the world’s largest snow maze

No wintertime sojourn to Winnipeg is over without a sojourn to theworld ’s largest snow labyrinth — top by the one and only Guinness Book of World Records . locate just south of the metropolis center in Saint Adolphe , it ’s a destination where you’re able to wonder at snowy architectural wonders , cavort around to your sum ’s content , and warm up with hot chocolate or whisky by the bonfire afterwards .

Channel your inner child as you zip down slippy snow slip , navigate your path through the monumental frozen maze , tackle the speedy Giant Luge run , and top it all off with a celebratory adult beverage at The Snow Bar . This festive outside attraction typically runs from mid - remnant of January to mid - March , depending upon weather conditions and temperatures .

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Attend Western Canada’s biggest winter festival

Do n’t just embrace winter , celebrate it wholeheartedly like Manitobans do at theFestival du Voyageurevery February . The 10 - solar day festival is held in Winnipeg ’s Gallic district and pay homage to both the French - Canadian and Métis civilization of Manitoba through art , lively euphony , massive snow sculptures , solid food , Equus caballus sleigh rides , and historic interpretation events surrounding pelt - trading at Fort Gibraltar .

enrol the beard - growing competitor or watch some cheese carving — there ’s a quirky trivial something for everyone here . This year ’s festival get place from February 17–26 , and we trust you like maple syrup , because they put it on just about everything .

Climb an ice tower

Yes , you read that correctly . Winnipeg is host to a free - standingice - climb towerevery wintertime , the original of its form , which was first constructed in 1996 . Officially scream the Club d’escalade Saint - Boniface Ice Climbing Tower , the nearly 66 - foot - tall icy spire shoots out of the money box of the Red River to the delight of adventurers who clear do n’t have a fear of pinnacle . Every year , the tower structure is sprayed with urine , produce the frosty waterfall - like mast , with each of its three side propose climbers a motley level of difficultness .

cast off on a harness and other all important climbing gear to give it a go ; if you make it to the top , you ’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of Winnipeg from a chick ’s eye perspective . Who require mickle to climb up when you may just work up a tower of ice ? test copy that Winnipeggers have sire clever living in their mostly flat Manitoba province . The ice tug is typically open on winter weekend from the remnant of December until the ending of March ( weather consideration dependent ) , and you may either use your own helmet , crampon , etc . , or borrow the club ’s limited supply , free of commission .

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Enjoy fine-dining on a frozen river

A mulct - dining festival ? That ’s been done . Fine - dining fete on a wintry river ? Winnipeg , of grade . That ’s what you get withRAW : almond , an sinful Manitoba wintertime experience that live for 24 days , but sells out in approximately 24 minutes ( give or take ) . The brainchild of Deer + Almond chef Mandel Hitzer and architect Joe Kalturnyk , the managing director of RAW : Gallery of Architecture and Design , this pop - up restaurant is anything but average . What they ’ve create is a “ impermanent savouring room ” on the frozen river in Winnipeg , a crazy nerveless dining experience . Because this unique culinary event is returning after a three - year COVID interruption , it ’s potential to be more democratic than ever . Get in theticket linenow .

Go to a drag brunch

Take a break from the dentition - tittle-tattle cold and delight a lively ( indoor ) drag brunch in the up - and - coming West Broadway neighborhood . The tall Poppydishes up fried Gallus gallus that will have you licking your fingers clean , amongst other amazing item like the winter salad and homemade soup of the day . The democratic monthly pull brunch is a collaboration between The Tallest Poppy andSynonym Art Consultation , and go on to be the hot Sunday company in town . Local , gifted Drag Queens supply the entertainment through graphics , performances , and sassing synching , while you pamper in intellectual nourishment and tope to the sock tunes of the DJ .

Where to snuggle up at the end of your winter-filled day

If you prefer to stay in good order near the drome , you ca n’t get much near and comfy than theLakeview Signature , walkable from the aerodrome door . For boutique hotel lovers , The Mere Hotelin The Exchange District will have you centrally site to spots like The Forks , The River Trail , and perhaps even the set of a Christmas movie . Looking to get luxurious ? fling on a stay at theFairmont Winnipeg , part of the ever - elegant and iconic Canadian chain , where you may view some of the city ’s hottest spots from your elbow room ’s windowpane while loosen in a downlike gown .