OTTAWA, January 20, 2023 – If you’re a little nervous about flying to a Caribbean destination this year, (between lost luggage, cancelled flights and the cost, who isn’t?) we’ve got a list of things to do and places to go that will keep you moving long after winter starts fading at the end of March. And it’s all in your own backyard.
1. Winterlude is Back
February 3rd to 20th, so let’s get this party started! Skating on the Rideau Canal Skateway is a given – so is sampling “Beavertails” and hot chocolate. (Did you know that a lot of folks skate to work in downtown Ottawa on the canal? If you live in the Glebe or Sandy Hill, why not?) The Ice Dragon Boat Festival happens opening weekend at Dow’s Lake. Serious competitors (around 1,200) representing teams from around the world show up for this challenge. Don’t forget to stop by Sparks Street for the National Ice-Carving Championship. If you’ve got kids, take the drive up to Jacques-Cartier North Park in the Gatineau for the mini-igloos, slides, labyrinth, “snowflake kingdom”, and much more. Full list of Winterlude activities on the NCC website.
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/winterlude.html
2. Skating
Fantastic exercise and an easy way to hit the “10,000 steps” that your Smartwatch demands. The Rideau Canal Skateway usually runs from January to early March, depending on the weather. When it’s open, the Skateway is free to use and is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.
If the canal is too far, check the City of Ottawa or NCC websites for a rink or trail near you. If you feel like a drive out to Stittsville, try former Senators player Chris Neil’s “Icelynd”, combining both an ice trail through a forest and rink. There’s also skating trails at Lac des Loups, a half hour away in Quebec; Countryside Adventures at Moose Creek to the east; River Oak, winding its way through an apple orchard near Metcalfe to the south; Little Penguin across the river in Gatineau.
https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/rideau-canal-skateway
https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/best-ice-skating-experiences-ottawa
3. Skiing/Snowboarding
All it takes to start is a 20-minute drive from downtown and you can sample everything from the easy bunny hills to the heart-pounding black diamond runs. And if you don’t have all the equipment, you can rent it. Take your pick: Mont Cascades – 20 runs, 15 of which are open at night. Camp Fortune has over 20 runs with 12 open for night skiing plus a place to practise (terrain park) with jumps, rails and boxes. Ski Vorlage caters to kids and beginners with 18 runs, but you can “give ‘er” at the trick rail and box terrain park. Sommet Edelweiss boasts a peak elevation of 350 meters, 20 runs, night skiing and one of the top terrain parks with trick snow rollers, rails and boxes. Mount Pakenham offers a “compact” skiing experience with 10 runs. Tubing and snowshoeing are a big deal there. Calabogie Peaks is about an hour away and is the tallest public resort in Eastern Ontario – 24 runs plus cross-country trails and a skating pond. Mont Ste-Marie is an hour away with the highest vertical in the region and close to 30 runs. Two choices here: Vanier Mountain for beginners and intermediates; the challenging Cheval Blanc is for the experts. Then there’s Mont Tremblant in the Quebec Laurentians, with hotel, spa, golf and bigtime après ski choices. It’s a day (or overnight) trip for sure.
https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/downhill-skiing-and-snowboarding-ottawa-area
4. Cross Country Skiing
Turn off the computer for an afternoon and glide through a snowy forest, enjoy the silence of jaw dropping landscapes or parts of the city you’ve only sampled in the summer. You can rent all the equipment you need, and the skiing is usually free.
https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/cross-country-skiing-and-around-ottawa
5. Tobogganing
This is great family fun, especially if you’ve got young children. Top up the thermos with hot chocolate before you leave home – but forget about the “wax” – you don’t want to look like Clark in the Xmas Vacation movie. Three thrilling choices close by: Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit in the Greenbelt. Green’s Creek in the east end at the Ottawa River. Check the City of Ottawa’s website for the full (and large!) list.
For a map of the tobogganing hills in Ottawa visit https://ottawastart.com/map-of-ottawa-toboggan-hills/
6. Dog Sledding
Sure you’ve seen video clips of the Siberian Huskies pulling a sled through a pristine forest, but you’ve probably never been the person guiding the sled. Well, now you can. Escapade Huskir, about a 90-minute drive to the Outaouais Region in Quebec, offers two and 15km dog sled rides complete with instruction and an after-ride beverage and snack. Advance booking with a minimum of two required.
https://www.escapade-eskimo.com/activities.htm
7. Winter Camping
Some say, “you’ve gotta be kidding”. Others say, “let’s go”. Winter camping means no bugs, no noise, possibly some stunning views of the northern lights and a ton of fresh air during the day! Choose from four-season tents, yurts, pods, even a treehouse. Then there’s “glamping”, which offers all the comforts of home far away from the city. NCC sites in Phillipe Lake Sector is a good place to start.
https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/winter-camping-accommodations-gatineau-park
8. Disc Golf
A great way to stretch the arms and legs in the winter – but careful because itcan be addictive!Some call it “frisbee golf” because that’s what the “disc” looks like. You throw the discs, aiming to hit a basket about the diameter of a large pizza which is positioned 65 centimetres off the ground. The discs come in a variety of weights, acting like a putter, iron or driver. Ottawa has 15 courses now, nine of which are 18 holes or more. Plus two leagues and two stores that sell the discs.
https://udisc.com/places/ottawa-canada
9. Maple Syrup Fun
Sugar shacks open all around the capitol in late February/early March once daytime temperatures get up around plus 5 degrees. When you head out to the sugarbush of your choice you’ll see the sap collection process and learn interesting facts (the sap to syrup ratio is 40 to 1) and learn about its amazing uses – more then just taffy and pancake topping. Many sugar shacks offer hayrides and well-groomed walking trails.
If you really have a craving for maple syrup, head to the “maple” booth at the Byward Market to pick up some maple syrup, maple candy and more.
https://ottawatourism.ca/en/ottawa-insider/maple-syrup-fun-ottawa-region
10. Spa Getaways
All you need to pack is a bathing suit and a pair of flip flops. The benefits of a good soak – provided your heath allows it – can be unreal. A visit to a spa can help contribute to the physical and mental well being, allowing you to relax and unwind. There are several spas around the city, or for a more outdoor Nordic experience, try something in the Gatineau or Outaouai like the Nordik Spa-Nature. Set in the picturesque village of Old Chelsea on the outskirts of Gatineau Park, the spa is positioned to be one of the largest spas in North America with 10 baths, nine separate purpose saunas, a panoramic swimming pool, a floating saltwater pool, a yoga and meditation room and more.
The relaxation and rejuvenation centre focuses on the practice of thermotherapy and relaxation techniques. At Nordik Spa-Nature, guests enjoy a multisensory experience in a beautiful setting.
by Laurie Wallace-Lynch
Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca
