Winter in northern Alberta is truly iconic. Canadian and winter are basically synonyms, and Alberta’s vast road network, nearly half of all the roads in Canada, allows easy access to its northern regions. With all that convenience, why not enjoy this snowy season in true Canadian fashion – by going north? The Mighty Peace area is one of the most picturesque regions in the province, and if you’re looking for things to do in the winter, you should…
Enjoy The View
As beautiful as the rest of Alberta is, Mighty Peace is one of the most picturesque regions in the province. Sagitawa Lookout overlooks the river from on high. Visit at dusk just as the snow is falling and sit back with a hot cup of apple cider. The Dunvegan Suspension Bridge is the longest in Alberta at 750 metres, and is a great vista in the summer…and only gets better in the winter. Beautiful snow-covered hills serve as a backdrop as you cross the bridge. Better yet? Walk under the bridge for a winter picnic and admire the scenery from below and listen to the ice as it cracks.
Enjoy The Festivals
There are dozens of winter festivals in the Mighty Peace region. We love the Carnaval de St. Isidore, an annual festival that draws in francophones from all across Canada. Named after the last scholar of the ancient world, this festival showcases artists and family fun activities including sleigh rides, snow sculpting, shinny, friendly competitions and so much more. Enjoy art, food, music, and great activities for all ages.
There are also plenty of Santa Claus parades and Christmas light ups in November and December. Moonlight Madness is a shopper’s heaven event in Fairview that culminates in the big ol’ jolly guy coming to town.
Enjoy The Sports
This is Canada! How can you have winter without sports? Go all the way back to hockey’s roots with Pond Hockey. This is how the sport was originally meant to be played – some ice, skates, and sticks. This is nostalgia. The crisp, clean air of the north isn’t just for kids though. They have various divisions, including Recreational, Competitive, Women’s, and even an Old Timers league. Gather a team and sign up – registration for the Junior Division is free!
With as many hills as there are in the Mighty Peace region, it’s the perfect place for tobogganing. Misery Mountain Ski Area offers tobogganing, downhill and cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Sports, festivals, and the view. It doesn’t get much better or traditional than that, and if you get tired of the cold, you can always head inside and enjoy the warmer side of winter . What are you waiting for? Go plan your trip!
