Winnipeg is well-known for particularly brisk winters; but many residents lean into the weather by celebrating the season in creative and inspired ways – from the Guinness World Record holding largest snow maze to a fine dining festival on a frozen river, and an interactive art and architecture showcase on an ice-skating trail.

With an airport just 15 minutes from downtown it’s easy to dive into Winnipeg’s unspoiled nature, Indigenous culture, and burgeoning gastronomic scene. So, here’s a primer for a quick winter visit to the Prairie capital this winter. Just don’t forget the long johns.

Festival Du Voyageur

Festival Du Voyageur is Western Canada’s largest winter festival takes place Feb. 16-24 this year. The festival is a celebration of the season and renowned for its giant snow sculptures. From animals to historical figures to art installations and veritable chateaus, the sculptures vary in their intricacy and size, but all share a common love for the season, Also part of the festival are concerts in the snow, visual art installations, handcrafted souvenirs, and traditional French-Canadian or First Nation food.

RAW: almond

Winnipeg is home to a one-of-a-kind annual fine dining festival, ‘RAW: almond,’ on a frozen river at The Forks, a popular central recreation hub of the city. All-star chefs from across North America visit Winnipeg to craft exquisite multi-course dinners served in cozy yet sophisticated lumber-framed tent built atop the frozen Assiniboine river. The unique dining venue features vaulted dome interiors with art installations and a warm candlelight glow. Canada’s coolest dining experience – literally – is a can’t miss event for those foodies looking to reconnect with authentic Winnipeg experiences. The festival features two seatings per night, and the heavily anticipated chef lineup is announced just before tickets go on sale. For 2024, The festival kicks off on Jan. 25.

World’s largest snow maze

‘Amaze in Corn’ is the Guinness World Record largest snow maze. Open from January to March every year, the maze spans over 2,700 sq. m. and uses over 300 truckloads of snow, making a labyrinth that can take visitors over 45 minutes to navigate. Along the way, there are fire pits and snow sculptures to help travellers warm-up and navigate the snowy passageways. Perfect for families, Amaze in Corn features other activities, from a giant snow climbing hill to a sky-high toboggan run, and horse-drawn sleigh rides to an ice bar serving hot chocolate wonderland.

Nearby, The Den, a snow restaurant newly opened in 2023, comes from the same creator as the world record snow maze. Carved out of over 500,000 pounds of snow, the Den is a winter dining experience like no other – surrounded by ice sculptures and walls filled with carved Manitoba art.

Art + Architecture on Ice

Winnipeg holds an annual competition to celebrate the creativity that has kept generations of Manitobans warm called “Warming Huts: An Art + Architecture Competition on Ice.” This contest collects warming hut design entries from across the globe to compete for a spot on the frozen Red and Assiniboine Rivers, in the heart of downtown, at The Forks.

After the winning designs are chosen, the architects travel to Winnipeg in January to begin construction of their warming hut designs. The week-long building blitz gives designers and the public a chance to watch their vision come to life and the completed huts are then displayed along the massive outdoor recreational Nestaweya River Trail. Visitors can skate or stroll through interactive huts inspired by UFO’s, wildlife, or any number of artistic visions.

Inuit art and culture

Winnipeg’s WAG-Qaumajug is the world’s largest public collection of Inuit art, featuring over 27,000 artworks spanning centuries and Inuit regions in northern Canada. Opened in 2021, this innovative museum celebrates the rich artistic heritage of Indigenous Peoples of Canada, with a focus on contemporary Inuit art. It actively collaborates with Inuit organizations and individuals to create an inclusive space where all Inuit can share their culture with the world, bridging Canada’s north and south.

Canada’s Human Rights Museum

The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a significant cultural institution dedicated to exploring the history and ongoing journey toward human rights. Opened in 2014, it celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2024 nestled at the heart of The Forks. The museum offers a compelling and immersive experience through its diverse exhibitions, interactive displays, and multimedia installations. It covers various human rights issues, both historic and contemporary, and invites visitors to engage, reflect, and learn about different aspects of human rights struggles and triumphs. Visitors can explore different galleries and thematic areas, each focusing on specific human rights topics, such as Indigenous rights, social justice movements, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. The Winnipeg institution is perfect for a reflective moment during the perfect winter trip.

The Forks

The Forks is a historic meeting place at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, boasting over 6,000 years of cultural significance. This year-round destination comprises the Forks Market, Johnston Terminal, and a Parks Canada urban park, offering diverse restaurants, craft wine/beer bar, vintage shops, and a bustling calendar of events. Additionally, The Forks is home to Arctic Glacier Winter Park, where visitors can enjoy a wide range of winter sports such as ice skating, toboggan runs, and hockey games. The Plaza Skating Rink, cooled artificially, ensures a pristine skating surface under a beautifully lit canopy with animated music.

Where to stay

The Inn at the Forks is a luxury 116-room boutique hotel situated at The Forks and is walking distance from a burgeoning gastronomic and cultural scene.