Winter: In Canada, We Own It!

If there’s anything that Canadians – at least the ones we’re hanging out with – know for sure, it’s that we own winter. The coldest season of the year is in our blood and in our bones. It’s a lifelong love affair born during childhood when, after the first major snowfall, our parents toss us into snowsuits, hand over the Krazy Karpets and tell us to be home by supper.

Over the years, we graduate from tobogganing to other snow and ice-inspired pastimes – especially skiing and snowboarding. When winter descends on Canada, locals and visitors alike stampede to the mountains – heading to places like Vancouver’s Whistler (just ranked SKI magazine’s “No. 1 Ski Area in North America”) and B.C.’s Kootenay Rockies where you can find Whitewater Ski Resort, Panorama Mountain Village and Fernie Alpine Resort, famous for its epic powder and awesome neighboring ski town.

Next door in Alberta, you’ll find folks ripping it up in and around Banff National Park at the world famous Lake Louise Ski Area, Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort and gorgeous family friendly hills like Mt. Norquay and Nakiska Mountain Resort. But it’s not just alpine skiing that people chase as temperatures dip way below zero and our country disappears beneath a snowy white blanket. This is also the time of year to head to the backcountry and seek out the solitude of mountain lodges such as the historic Skoki in Banff National Park. Grab your skins and touring gear and climb over two mountain passes into Skoki for an intimate, around-the-fireplace weekend with other similarly ambitious patrons. (It’s worth it just for Chef Katie Mitzel’s unforgettable and hearty cuisine.)

Then there’s Canmore, Alberta’s rustic Mount Engadine Lodge – home to fantastic snowshoeing terrain and unbeatable vistas. And nearby, in Yoho National Park, you’ll find one of Canada’s best kept winter secrets – Emerald Lake Lodge. Built in the early 1900’s out of hand-hewn timber and featuring massive stone fireplaces, the cozy and luxurious lodge offers a delicious menu of locally inspired Rocky Mountain cuisine featuring the likes of caribou medallions and buffalo carpaccio. We love this place – especially in winter and especially because of its unique blend of comfort in a remote wilderness. There’s nothing like spending the day skating on a small frozen lake flanked by towering, snow covered mountains, then returning to the lodge for an elegant meal followed by a soak in a snow-encrusted outdoor hot tub beneath a clear (and we mean clear!) star-filled sky.

Of course, the Canadian winter picture wouldn’t be complete without paying tribute to Quebec City – home to the exotic Hotel De Glace (Ice Hotel) along with the world’s largest winter carnival known the world over as the “Carnaval de Quebec.” Next year from Feb. 1-17, 2013, after 59 continuous years, one of Canada’s oldest cities will erupt once again into a massive snow party – a rowdy tradition (take it from us) featuring snow rafting, sugar shacks, canoe races along the St. Lawrence River, snow sculpture competitions, night parades, parties galore and, ahem (just to keep you warm of course), the famous and feisty Caribou cocktail tradition which involves a good dose of vodka, brandy, sherry and Canadian port.

Canadians take great pride in the winter traditions they’ve celebrated through the ages. As a result, cold in Canada is no longer the obstacle it might have once been – but rather an invitation.  Again, it all goes back to determined young citizens – swaddled in snow gear with pink cheeks and runny noses – on an uncomplicated mission to stubbornly climb up and slide down the neighborhood hill for hours on end. Still, the uncertainty of winter weather can be as unsettling as it is exciting – so don’t forget to dress for it. As the late British traveler Alfred Wainwright once declared … “There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” A little friendly advice if you’re heading our way.

Want to know more? Here are some links that will help you plan an awesome Canadian winter vacation.