Winter Adventures with Annie

Winter in Manitoba can feel long, slow and cold, but there are so many fun ways to stay active and embrace the season. From ice skating at The Forks to attending the historic and lively Festival du Voyageur, Manitoba has plenty to offer. Here are just a few ideas to help you make the most of your winter days.

Skate at The Forks

It’s not winter in Winnipeg without going ice skating at The Forks! One of my favourite winter activities is skating with a group of friends, enjoying their company and the crisp winter air. The Forks offers numerous places to skate, including multiple outdoor rinks and the Nestaweya River trail along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. The river trail stretches around 6 km and is also open for walking, ice biking and cross-country skiing, with fun and creative warming huts along the way for taking a little break.

Every time I visit, I see people of all ages and skill levels on the ice, from friends playing ice hockey to first-time skaters finding their balance with skating frames. If you don’t own skates, no worries. Iceland Skate Rentals rents hockey and figure skates in all sizes at an affordable price, making it easy for anyone to try skating. Finally, before heading out, check the trail and rink conditions as they can change quickly depending on the weather.

Ice Fish on Manitoba’s Frozen Lakes

With more than 100,000 lakes across the province, there are endless opportunities to spend time outdoors in every season.

You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy ice fishing. Many lakes and outfitters offer heated ice shacks and equipment rentals, making it a comfortable, accessible activity for anglers of all experience levels. If you’re not sure where to go, Gimli, Hecla Island, Snow Lake and Lake Winnipeg are all popular destinations for beginners. Lakes such as Lake Winnipeg and Lake Manitoba are well known for catches like walleyes, northern pike and perch. 

There’s something super fun and exciting about reeling in a fish and feeling your patience finally pay off, making ice fishing a fun winter experience everyone should try at least once. However, even if the fish aren’t biting, the experience itself is worth it. Pack some hot chocolate and snacks, bundle up and enjoy spending quality time with friends or family.

Explore the Winnipeg Art Gallery

A visit to the Winnipeg Art Gallery (WAG) is a great way to enjoy winter. The WAG is home to an impressive collection of Indigenous, Canadian and international works, including the world’s largest collection of contemporary Inuit art. There are a variety of events, tours and activities to invite visitors to learn more about Indigenous art and culture. 

A new weekly event is launching at the WAG, giving you even more reason to stop by. Beginning January 7, 2026, WAG Wednesday Nights will offer free admission to the galleries every Wednesday from 5 – 9 p.m. for the next three years, making it easy to explore art at your own pace. During WAG Wednesday Nights, the galleries will come alive with live music and DJs, guided tours, and interactive activities, creating a fun and social atmosphere.

Whether you are visiting on your own or with friends, the Winnipeg Art Gallery offers a creative way to experience the city’s arts scene during the winter months, while still getting your steps in.

Celebrate Winter at Manitoba’s Festivals

You may be surprised to learn that Manitoba has many fun festivals, even in the winter! Festival du Voyageur is always a big highlight, bringing French-Canadian and Métis heritage to life with music, storytelling, traditional food, snow sculptures and outdoor activities. It is held annually in St. Boniface and truly brings winter to life. Every time I go, snowshoeing through the grounds and enjoying maple taffy on snow brings back nostalgic childhood memories of winter in Canada.

The Northern Manitoba Trapper’s Festival takes place from February 18 to 22 in The Pas. This festival celebrates northern traditions with events like dog sled races, bannock baking and other fun family-friendly activities. Further south, the Multicultural Winterfest in Morden on February 14 will celebrate the diversity of southern Manitoba with performances, food and lots of fun activities that bring the community together.

If you’re dressed for the weather, attending a winter festival is a great way to connect with your community, stay active and make the most of Manitoba’s winter season.

Visit FortWhyte Alive 

FortWhyte Alive offers a wide variety of seasonal activities for all ages, making a visit an easy and accessible way to enjoy winter in the city. With more than 7 km of scenic trails, you can explore the park grounds by renting snowshoes, cross-country skis or a fat bike. There’s plenty to see, from flocks of migratory birds to the permanent bison herd that roams the grounds of FortWhyte Alive. Watching the bison move together is always a highlight, and it’s easy to forget you’re still in the city. Weather permitting, you can even skate or try ice fishing on the lake. When it’s time to warm up, roasting some delicious marshmallows over a fire is a cozy way to take a break and enjoy the winter atmosphere. 

FortWhyte Alive makes it easy to embrace winter right in the city, and they truly offer something for everyone, making it easy to stay active and outdoors all season long. 

Experience Ice Climbing and Snow Mazes

If you’re looking for something adventurous, challenge yourself by climbing the iconic 20-meter-tall ice tower located in St Boniface. For $40 per person, volunteers from The Club d’escalade de Saint-Boniface (CESB) provide all the equipment and instruction needed to try ice climbing safely. The tower is open every Saturday, and no reservations are required, making it an easy and super exciting activity to check out.

If you’d rather keep your feet on the ground, you can wander through the iconic snow maze located in St Adolphe, just outside of Winnipeg. This snow maze is built entirely from snow and ice and is fun to navigate for people of all ages. This massive maze has even been recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records, making it a must-visit winter attraction. While you’re there, you can also enjoy sleigh rides, a giant luge run, and tobogganing for a full day of winter fun.

Admire Winter Skies and Wildlife

If you’re all bundled up in layers, winter offers plenty of opportunities to connect with nature. Clear, dark skies in rural and northern Manitoba create ideal conditions to view the northern lights. I’m always in awe every time I see the northern lights because no two displays are ever the same and watching the colors dance across the sky is so beautiful.

While it’s easy to assume that most wildlife disappears and hibernate in winter, the colder months are actually a great time for wildlife and birdwatching. Animals such as deer, foxes and rabbits leave clear tracks in the snow, and birds are easier to spot against bare trees. Local neighbourhood parks, forests, and provincial parks offer accessible places to explore and observe nature throughout winter. Some of my favourite spots include Oak Hammock Marsh, Assiniboine Park, Birds Hill Provincial Park and Riding Mountain National Park.

Getting outside helps you stay active, breathe in fresh air, and appreciate what nature has to offer in the winter. It’s also a wonderful reminder of how beautiful Manitoba is in any season.