See the award-winning frozen fortress as Ice Castles return to Hawrelak Park from January until the snow melts (so probably March). Venture through the stunning display, take selfies in the throne room and in front of the waterfall, and find your way through the ice maze.
Hawrelak Park, 9330 Groat Road, 780-442-5311, icecastles.com
Take a guided snowshoe hike around Astotin Lake, then relax by the fire under a starry night sky at Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, at another Snowshoe and Stargaze at Elk Island park on January 4, 11, 18 and 25.
Elk Island National Park, 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan, parkscanada.gc.ca
Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival is a two-day (January 11 and 12), cold climate celebration of the Russian/Ukrainian “Olde New Year.” Throw a rock in some Old Tyme curling, take a snow wagon ride, play winter mini golf and zip down a giant ice slide, with some delicious Canadian food in between.
Alberta Avenue ,118 Avenue NW & 91 Street, deepfreezefest.ca
The Boardwalk Ice on Whyte Festival is a wicked winter festival that never runs out of ice (assuming 96,000 pounds is enough). Check out the ice carving competition and all the food and festivities January 23 to 26, and January 28 to February 2.
Boardwalk Ice on Whyte, 10208 82 Avenue, iceonwhyte.ca
One of Edmonton’s best winter festivals returns as The Flying Canoë Volant paddles in January 30 to February 1. Loosely based on French-Canadian, First Nation and Métis traditions, it’s a creative, interactive and cultural event that celebrates local history and living in a winter city.
Mill Creek Ravine and La Cité francophone, 8627 Rue Marie-Anne-Gaboury (91 Street), 780-463-1144, flyingcanoevolant.ca
