At the 2022 Olympic Winter Games held in Beijing, China last February, Canada took home 26 medals, including the gold medals won in snowboarding, speed skating, and women’s hockey.
Aside from the vast geography and majestic landscape that encompasses a wide variety of terrain, Canada is also known for its Arctic Tundra, the transitional zone between the edge of the taiga (or boreal forest), or tree line, and the permanent ice caps near the North Pole or the Arctic Ocean. The Canadian Arctic Tundra can be found in three Canadian territories and four out of 10 provinces including Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northeastern Manitoba, northern Ontario, northern Quebec, and northern Labrador.
Though temperature and climate in Canada vary per region, winter is generally perceived to be long and harsh, reaching a temperature of -10 to -35 degrees Celsius. That said, it doesn’t come as a surprise to know that the country has been consistently in the top tier of many Olympic Winter Games. This year, represented by 215 athletes, Canada finished fourth in the overall medal standings with 26 medals- four gold, eight silver, and 14 bronze– and won its first-ever medals in ski jumping and men’s alpine combined.
The land of the Great White North has been known as the best country to experience ultimate winter sports. Whether you’re planning to visit Canada as a tourist or to stay a bit longer as an international student, trying out at least one of the favorite winter sports in the country is a must.
Skiing
Considered an extreme sport, you can either do downhill skiing or cross country skiing in Canada which offers the best ski resorts in the world. One of the best ways to experience the landscape of the country is by hitting the slopes and enjoying the snow in the popular ski areas in Alberta and Quebec or the largest ski resort, Whistler Blackcomb, in British Columbia.
Ice Hockey
Dubbed the most popular winter sport in the country, one can enjoy Ice Hockey by playing in a team game or just by being a great spectator of the professional league National Hockey League (NHL) comprised of Canadian ice hockey teams and American ice hockey teams. There are seven Canadian ice hockey teams in the league namely the Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is one of the recreational winter sports that can be enjoyed with family and friends. In Canada, one can avail of snowmobile tour destinations to marvel at Canada’s natural beauty and bask in the arctic climate. Routes are facilitated to ensure safety when using the motorized sleds that can reach high speeds. Ontario is one of the most popular places to visit when you plan to try out this sport.
Dog Sledding
One unique way to experience winter in Canada is dog sledding which has been a way of life in North Canada. You can avail of a forest trail tour led by a group of dogs in their element in Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon, Nunavut, and North West Territories.
Lacrosse
Of course, when in Canada, one must try the country’s national sport that can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors during the summer and winter seasons. Originally played by the indigenous people, Lacrosse competitions are now held across the country led by the Canadian Lacrosse Association.
