12 Hot things to do around Ottawa in the cold

The wind carries an icy chill, but any true Ottawan knows that when winter rolls around, the fun is just heating up. When the Rideau Canal freezes over and fallen snow blankets the city, the National Capital Region comes alive with skating, winter festivals, enchanting hiking trails, great eats and more.  

Can't decide how to spend your winter in Ottawa? Here are 12 activities to keep you busy until the spring thaw.  

Experience the good old hockey game

She shoots... she scores! A day watching Canada's favourite sport is the perfect way to spend your time in Ottawa this winter.  

The Ottawa Charge are one of TD Place’s resident teams and one of the original six PWHL squads. Their games are electrifying, filling the stadium with adoring fans. The best part? CAA Members save up to 25 per cent on select home game tickets.  

The Ottawa Senators bring the heat to Canadian Tire Centre, staging an epic battle on the ice. Head to the arena for the game day ambiance, the roar of the crowd and the satisfaction as your team scores at home. With your CAA Membership, you can save big on select home game tickets, plus get $13 off your parking at Lot 4. 

Glide across an outdoor rink

If there’s one thing Ottawa has perfected, it’s outdoor skating. The world-famous Rideau Canal Skateway typically opens to skaters in midwinter, creating the city’s most iconic skating experience. Glide through historic landmarks, quiet neighbourhoods and glittering winter views along the UNESCO-designated world’s largest skating rink.  

Other outdoor rinks include Rideau Hall, which has a new refrigeration system to keep the ice in perfect condition. City Hall’s Rink of Dreams and Lansdowne Skating Court are also ideal for family fun or a romantic, illuminated date night.  

Not able to get downtown? The City of Ottawa has compiled a list of 262 outdoor rinks across the region, making it easy to find one near you.  

Dine on Ottawa staples

What could be better than a warm snack on a cold day? Ottawa’s most iconic treats, Beavertails, are the perfect way to warm up after a day outdoors. With soft, deep-fried pastry and a variety of toppings to choose from, this Canadian staple is a must-try.  

Looking for something savoury? Poutine is a cozy delicacy that will warm you right up, available at spots across Ottawa. The Great Canadian Poutinerie and New York Fries are popular favourites.   

For Indigenous flavours in the National Capital Region, visit Mādahòkì Farm to try seasonal snacks made from local and foraged ingredients. For traditional bannock and delicious lattes, Lansdowne’s Beandigen Cafe (conveniently located by the hockey arena and the skating rink) is your go-to spot.  

Have you ever dreamed of dining on a frozen river? The Grand Pizzeria’s Westboro Beach location has heated gondolas, where you can enjoy a meal in the heart of a snowy landscape.  

Indulge your sweet tooth at the sugar bush

A trip to the sugar shack is one of Canada’s most beloved traditions, and the National Capital Region is no exception. As the weather turns warmer during the day and cold at night, the conditions are just right for an iconic Canadian flavour—maple syrup.  

Visit a working sugarbush around Ottawa to see it for yourself. Cabane à sucre Vanier, which is part of Muséoparc Vanier, is Canada’s only urban sugarbush. Other sugar bushes in the Ottawa area include Fulton’s Sugar Bush and Maple Shop, The Log Farm and Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm.  

Feed the birds on a winter hike

With winter snow sparkling on the tree branches and frozen creeks weaving through Ottawa’s wetlands, a hike through the city’s green space is a magical way to enjoy the winter weather.  

Popular trails this time of year include Mer Bleue, an ancient bog you can traverse by boardwalk, Jack Pine, a family-friendly loop through beaver ponds, and Pine Grove, a wildlife enthusiast’s dream come true.  

Bring some birdseed and stand very still to meet the winged residents of these well-travelled trails.  

Race down one of Ottawa’s toboggan hills 

Nothing says winter in Ottawa like sledding down one of the many slopes in the area. The region has 75 NCC-approved hills.  

The Bruce Pit toboggan hill is the ultimate spot for winter fun. Located just off the parking lot, it’s a tall hill that’s easy to get to and surrounded by stunning views of the pond and forest. Nature trails and an off-leash dog park are also located nearby.  

Green’s Creek in Gloucester is another favourite. It's a wide slope that’s lit at night, making it a great pick for some post-dinner sledding. Carlington Park, Walter Baker Park and Conroy Pit are also standouts that you should try.  

Hitch a ride on a dog sled

Now this is a cool way to travel. Explore the winter landscape in style on a sled pulled by adorable pups.  

Aventure Outaouais takes you on a journey through the Petite-Nation region of Gatineau. Their expert guide handles the details so you can kick back and relax. Travel a little bit further outside the city to Gatineau Sled Dogs for a peaceful ride through the snow. With an adorable team of dogs pulling you along, this is the ideal way to see the wilderness.  

See nature up close at Parc Omega

Have you ever dreamed of feeding a bison or petting a deer in a snowy forest? At Parc Omega, you can. This 12-kilometre safari takes you on a drive through the habitats of North American wildlife like elk, bears, wolves and foxes.  

This year-round attraction, located in Montebello, Quebec, also offers walking trails, picnic areas, guided tours and onsite restaurants to immerse you in the region’s incredible animals.  

Explore a skiing or snowshoeing trail

Ottawa’s outdoor spaces enchant in the winter, with ice crystals glittering on trees and fresh snow to walk through. Whether you’re stomping down a trail in snowshoes or gliding through tidy cross-country ski tracks, skiing or snowshoeing through the region is the perfect way to experience nature.  

The Kichi Sibi Winter Trail is a well-maintained network that skirts the Ottawa River. Sarsaparilla Trail is a short, easy loop, perfect for young families or older folks looking for easy terrain. 

Discover the attractions at Winterlude

Celebrate Canada’s winter identity at the National Capital Region’s favourite snowy festival—Winterlude! With activities across multiple locations, the ice sculptures, free mini pow wow, Afterslide Evenings and a massive winter playground await. This year also features a Ferris wheel, live music and a brand-new Nordic race.  

Whether you’re a family with young kids, a newcomer or a longtime resident, the magic of this winter wonderland will make even the most warm-blooded Ottawans appreciate winter. 

Unwind at a Nordic spa 

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Between the sparkling snow and the steam rising out of crystalline pools, a trip to a thermal spa this winter will ease your stress. Kōena Spa is a budget-friendly experience offering exfoliation rooms, saunas, hot baths, cold plunges and more.  

For a deluxe experience, Nordik Spa-Nature has an entire spa village for you to explore, with multiple kinds of saunas, baths and rest areas to help you unwind.  

Just don’t forget to bring a toque to keep your ears warm! 

Hit the slopes at the ski hill  

Snow in Ottawa means a weekend on the slopes. Camp Fortune is the closest downhill ski location to downtown Ottawa, featuring 27 runs and a terrain park. For increased elevation, head to Calabogie Peaks, located on the shores of the beautiful Calabogie Lake. For nighttime skiing, check out the 16 out of 21 runs at Mont Cascades that are available in the evening.  

Not into skiing but still want to enjoy the fresh powder and cozy chalet? Sommet Edelweiss offers tubing in addition to skiing.  

Have more winter fun with CAA

Before you suit up, make sure to grab your CAA Membership. With discounts on sports games, winter gear, mobile skate sharpening, shopping, dining and more, cold-weather fun gets an upgrade with CAA.