by Will McGough
Last updated: 5:00 AM ET, Tue January 31, 2017
Bundle up for a good time in these Canadian destinations that are arguably more intriguing in winter.
Yukon
Many people head to Alaska and Scandinavia in search of Arctic lifestyle and the Northern Lights, which leaves the lesser-visited Yukon and its capital, Whitehorse, up for grabs. Surrounded by pristine terrain, the region is littered with gold-rush history and you'll get a real-life look into what it's like to live this far north. Snowshoe, dog sled, and cross-country ski by day; go in search of the Northern Lights by night. It is home to the start of the Yukon Quest, a yearly 1,000-mile dog sled race from Whitehorse to Fairbanks.
Quebec City
Few cities embrace winter like Quebec City, with a host of events and happenings during the coldest months. The season is headlined by the yearly Quebec City Winter Carnival, where ice canoe races, mulled wine, and parties in igloos draw visitors from across the nation. There's also the chance to stay in an Ice Hotel, which is built and designed unique each year. One of the country's most iconic hotels, the castle-like Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, makes a cozy hub for exploring Old Town Quebec, which is about as European a neighborhood as you'll find in North America.
Jasper National Park
Banff National Park gets most of the attention because of its proximity to Calgary (and it's beautiful, no doubt). Even in the summer, Jasper National Park lives in the shadow and feels empty compared to Banff, and so it's worth the extra few hours in the car if you've got the time. If it's "empty" in the summer, then imagine what it's like in the winter when you have the entire park to yourself for winter sports. Jasper is home to the world's second largest dark sky preserve, meaning star gazing is a premium activity, and there's an outside chance to see the Northern Lights.
Halifax/Nova Scotia
If you want to talk about a place that can get dreary, Halifax, and Nova Scotia in general, is famous for its fog. You can do all the normal winter activities, but this part of Canada will help keep you warm another way: Food and drink. Seafood chowder is one of the region's main offerings, and Pudding Chomeur A La Lavallee, or maple pudding, is a good way to cap off a meal. The city's Irish roots will entertain you at night with plenty of pubs, local breweries and distilleries. Consider side trips up the coast to Peggy's Cove - it's busy in the summer, but all yours in winter.
Montreal
Think Montreal is ready for winter? It has an Underground City that spans nearly 20 miles, linking shopping centers, hotels, and residential complexes. In this way, you could, in theory, never step outside during your trip, which is an experience you can't get anywhere else, if you're into that sort of stuff. That said, the world above also offers lots during the winter. The High Lights Festival each February is one of the largest winter festivals in the world, and fewer crowds at off times allow you to get a "locals-only" look at popular places such as Schwartz's Deli (smoked-meat sandwiches) without the lineup. You don't have to leave the city for winter sports, as you can tube, snowshoe, and ski on Mont Royal, where you're also treated to sweeping views of the metropolitan area.
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