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Ten “Must Visit” Canadian Hidden Winter Gems

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NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Happy New Year! It’s the very first day of a brand new year, and as I look outside at the winter wonderland before me, I couldn’t be more excited! Snow! Beautiful snow.

Canadians are mostly familiar with the popular winter attractions and activities.  After all, our nation is a well-known destination for winter travel; from skating on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal to hitting the slopes at Mont Tremblant, our country is rich with opportunities for outdoor fun.
12317584_1790330217860828_1353648844_nHowever, beyond these well-known destinations are a number of places just waiting to be discovered. Celebrate the spirit of winter in Canada and explore your own backyard by planning a trip to one of these soon-to-be favourite hidden winter gems. Plus, read on for your chance to win 50,000 IHG Rewards Club Points! That’s enough for a one, two – or even three! – nights stay at one of their 4,900+ properties worldwide. (Or, redeem your points for gift cards or incredible swag! 50,000 IHG Reward Club Points = approximately $500!) 

1. The town of St. Jacob’s Ontario is a popular summer destination, but the winter themed activities that take place as part of St. Jacob’s Sparkles are not to be missed. The entire town is decorated for the season, and visitors can sip apple cider or enjoy sleigh rides pulled by either deer or horses. Stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waterloo-St. Jacobs when you visit.

2. Shake off the snow and get an up close look at Canadian wildlife including polar bears, muskoxen, Arctic fox, wolves and other northern species at the Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Stay at the nearby Holiday Inn Winnipeg – Airport West.

3. When the snow falls, Quebec City is transformed into a winter paradise with Carnaval de Quebec activities for everyone to enjoy. Or, take a winter stroll past the beautiful Palace Royale in Old Quebec. Did you know you can also have a truly unique and authentic Canadian experience while visiting Quebec City this winter? Adventurous winter travellers can enjoy a dog sled ride through forest trails with an option to stay overnight in the forest, or you can rest and rejuvenate at the Holiday Inn Express Quebec City (Sainte-Foy).
4.  Our great lakes are just as great in the winter! Visit Sudbury, Ontario to ice skate around the perimeter of Ramsey Lake, or give ice fishing a try at one of the 330 freshwater lakes in the Greater Sudbury area. Warm up and get cozy while staying at the Holiday Inn Sudbury.

5. Explore the natural scenery and abundance of trails on Vancouver Island this winter by ski, snowboard or snowshoe. For the thrill seeker, heli-skiing is also available! Book your vacation today and stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Courtenay Comox Valley SW.

6. The Niagara region of Ontario is well known for its wine tours, but wine appreciation doesn’t stop when the flurries arrive. The Niagara Icewine Festival is an exciting celebration of food and flavours not to be missed. After a fun night of food and wine, enjoy a relaxing stay at the Holiday Inn St. Catharines.
7. When the temperature drops, the Maritimes become a winter wonderland. Visit The Grand Falls in New Brunswick to see the falls transformed into awe-inspiring columns of ice, or add Fredericton’s annual FROSTival to your winter travel checklist. Stay at the Crowne Plaza Fredericton-Lord Beaverbrook.

8. Another popular summertime destination in the Maritimes, Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia is breathtaking when blanketed in a thin layer of snow. Pull on your warm winter clothes and watch the sun set against a backdrop of crashing waves and ice. Stay at the Holiday Inn Halifax Harbourview.
9. There are eleven Provincial Parks in Northern Saskatchewan, including Saskatchewan Landing Provincial Park. Plan a visit to take in the winter scenery and get a glimpse of the dazzling Northern Lights visible in the sky over the park. Stay at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Swift Current.

10. ‘Tis the season to go dashing through the snow, on a one horse open sleigh! Spend some time this winter in our nation’s capital and enjoy an old fashioned sleigh ride through Ottawa’s Greenbelt, or enjoy the festivities during Ottawa’s Winterlude festival. Stay at Hotel Indigo Ottawa Downtown City Centre.

Wherever you choose to travel this season, InterContinental Hotels Group properties including Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express are everywhere you want to be and available to help make your Canadian travel dreams a reality. To get the most out of your travel budget, sign up for IHG Rewards Club and start earning points towards future stays.

Inspired to travel? One lucky Canadian reader will WIN 50,000 IHG Rewards Club Points! That’s enough for a one, two – or even three! – nights stay at one of their 4,900+ properties worldwide.

Did you know? You can also redeem IHG Rewards Club Points for everything from brand name products, jewelry and electronics to rental cars. Or, turn your points into instant entertainment – redeem and download eBooks, games, software, and more! Remember, 50,000 IHG Reward Club Points = approximately $500!

To enter, simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. And, follow me on Instagram this year as I showcase some of my favourite family travel destinations – winter-themed, winter getaways, you name it! Good luck everyone!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kerry Warnaar

    My favorite is Blue Mountain. It is so pretty and so many things to do. Plus it’s close to home so not expensive in travel costs.

  2. ivy pluchinsky

    I really like Vancouver, i have family there, and it doesn’t get too cold, not like Manitoba!

  3. Brenda Lacourciere

    I like Blue Mountain because it is close enough for us to drive and is quite beautiful.

  5. Kim K

    I like Blue Mountain because it is close enough to home, we enjoy the beautiful drive and it’s lots of fun there!

  6. Johanne Laurin-Castonguay

    I like Mont-Tremblant becaause it is beautiful and I really appreciate the diversity of the place!

  10. gayle bellemare

    I love travelling to the Ottawa area in the winter months. Skating on the Rideau, attending the fabulous Winterlude, and visiting friends and family who live in Ottawa & area is such a wonderful getaway for us! Leaving the car at home and travelling on Via Rail just adds to the fun!

  14. Jo-Anne Pfoh

    Ottawa and Bells Corners Ontario. I used to live in Hull PQ and loved skating on the Rideau every year

  15. Glogirl

    My favourite winter destination would be the Collingwood and Blue Mountains area because it is so breathtaking this time of year. It shows the beauty of winter!

  16. Greg Orszulak

    We go ever February to the Eastern Townships in Quebec to watch the Ski-Doo grand prix! So cold but so much fun!

  17. Cheryl

    I love Ottawa in the winter! I never got to skate the Rideau canal though and would love to try it

  20. Amy Heffernan

    I have to say ONTARIO! I live and am from Newfoundland so it was amazing last year to be able to go there and see everything. HUGE buildings, zoos, water parks. It was FANTASTIC!! I would so love to be able to go back and bring the kids this time!

  23. Lisa A.

    Ottawa! I’d love to skate on the Rideau Canal! However, I am a bit partial to Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. ;)

  28. Shelley N

    I like Niagara Falls in the winter since they have a spectacular light and laser display near Christmas and it looks so lovely there in the winter.

  33. Rosanne Robinson

    I love Niagara on the Lake & Niagara Falls in the winter, they both look magical with snow.

  37. Amber Y

    I don’t have a favourite destination yet! We always stay close to home in the winter, but I would love to go to some of the winter festivals up north one year.

  39. DebH

    I really love visiting Peggy’s Cove in all seasons. Although you really have to bundle up if you go in winter, it’s much quieter. In fact I went last winter with my hubby and we were the only ones there. You get a different feeling of Peggy when you visit in different seasons.

  42. Jeannie Lam

    I have always loved Banff, AB because of their beautiful mountains and snow. It’s such a great place to just relax and enjoy the great outdoors with the family.

  45. Brenda Penton

    I’ve never visited any place in the winter but I’d love to go to Whistler, BC to go skiing.

  48. Josie Tusa

    My favourite winter destination is Whistler, BC because the skiing is great and it’s absolutely gorgeous!

  54. Lindsay T

    I love heading up to the cottage (just outside of Peterborough, ON) it’s beautiful up there!

  56. Holly MacRitchie

    My ultimate holiday winter vacation spot is Collingwood Ontario! Its so much fun to ski and the nightlife is great!

  60. Catherine Robichaud

    I love Mont Tremblant it so beautiful in the winter and so many things to do there.

  61. Melanie Barclay

    We love Going to Barrie, Ontario For Ice fishing, and we love taking the kids for a weekend getaway to Ottawa its just so pretty there in winter!

  62. Maria

    So far I have only been to Blue Mountain during the winter but Mont Tremblant looks absolutely breath taking. Hope one day to visit. Thank you for this awesome giveaway !

  63. Mark V

    I love Quebec City in Winter, its just so pretty and quant and at the same time full of excitement.

  65. Tara Gauthie

    We actually don’t usually travel in the winter, but I have heard that Banff or Jasper are amazing places to visit in Winter!

  66. Tara Gauthier

    Banff or Jasper would definitely be places that I would want to visit in the winter. A trip to the hot springs would be a must!

  67. zahra p

    Canmore, Alberta because it is in the mountains, is gorgeous and makes me feel one with nature

  70. Maria McLachlan

    I haven’t gone very far in the winter. I really want to go to Ottawa for ice skating one year soon or Quebec for winter carnival!

  72. Debbie Sherrer

    My favorite is Banff, just so beautiful. I love the hot springs and walking down the streets and browsing the stores. The best fudge ever made right in store and I really love the Christmas store too.

  75. Erinn Lishman

    I really love Algonquin in the winter! Beautiful, peaceful, and I always see a few moose in the colder months!

  77. Wendy hutton

    I love going to Lake Louise Alberta and there are so many things to do and the scenery is breath taking

  78. ginette4

    We don’t go far in the winter but Niagara Region is amazing in the winter..so many winter activities like the Niagara Ice Wine Festival in January

  80. Dana Miller

    My favourite Canadian winter destination is Whistler. It is so beautiful and breathtaking. We love playing in the snow and all the activities that are offered for families. The bonus is that it is only a 3-4 hour drive.

  82. Lee-Ann

    I love the Canadian Rockies…they are close, and offer some fabulous winter activities and it’s breath takingly beautiful!

  85. Krista M

    I really enjoy Banff, Alberta with it’s quaint shops, restaurants, a ride up the gondola, wildlife & picturesque mountains!

  86. Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard

    ours is Lake Loise, Ab – our son lives there so it is our go to winter destination

  90. YASMIN HALL

    We love going to Whistler, B.C. for winter getaways. All of the accommodations are beautiful and the scenery there is absolutely breathtaking!

  91. Valerie Mallette

    My favourite Canadian winter destination is Ottawa. I love skating on the Rideau Canal and Winterlude is always fun.

  94. angela september

    hmmm that’s a tough one bc i don’t particularly love winter lol … i’d say Toronto

  97. SweetPanda

    My favourite is the Ottawa’s Rideau Canal because it’s so cool to be able to skate on the Canal

  98. sarah sar

    My fave is Mont Tremblant! We go there every year for skiing/snowboarding with the family and look forward to it every year :)

  100. Katharine Wong

    I love Ottawa because you can skate the Rideau Canal and spend time indoors exploring the arts at the Natonal Gallery.

  101. Tara Jeles

    Ours is Quebec city, it’s beautiful in the winter and there is so much to do. Then my husband and son can go skiing as well.

  103. Cathy C

    I love Mont Tremblant but not just for winter. It is great in the summer and fall too! Also fan of Montebello.

  104. Debbie White Beattie

    You’ve got a great list of things to do and I’ve never heard of a couple. Your pictures are great but my favorite is ice skating on the canal