Ice and Snow? We Know.
Get movin’ in the great outdoors
Bundle up and put a fun twist on your winter. Doing a downward dog pose on ice or getting lost in a snow maze may not be the first things that come to mind when you think of winter activities, but these are just a couple of the unique activities available in the Winnipeg area.
Yoga On Ice
Nature centre and recreational park FortWhyte Alive offers a variety of traditional winter activities including snowshoeing, skating and ice fishing, but for something a little different register for their February 16 ice yoga class. After your yoga session on their frozen lake, enjoy wildcrafted tea with classmates.
Climb an Ice Tower
A 20-metre, three-sided ice tower at 141 Messager Street provides an opportunity for ice climbing in varying degrees of difficulty. Maintained by the St. Boniface Section of the Alpine Club of Canada, the tower is open to members and non-members every Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. And best of all, no ice climbing experience is necessary. The club provides equipment and instruction.
Find Your Way Through a Maze of Snow
The corn maze at Amaze in Corn in St. Adolphe, 25 kilometers south of Winnipeg, was a popular attraction in fall. Now you can navigate your way through a maze of snow. Owners are hoping to beat the current Guinness World Record of 1,696 square metres for the biggest snow maze. There are fire pits throughout the maze, emergency exits if you get hopelessly lost and outdoor washroom facilities. There’s also a snack shack on site. The maze is open evenings Thursday to Sunday and during the day on Saturday and Sunday. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight.
Try Your Hand at Crokicurl
In front of The Forks Market, you’ll find an ice rink that looks like a giant Crokinole board with red and blue painted circles. As the name suggests, Crokicurl is a combination of the ice sport curling and the table-top game Crokinole. Curling rocks are used as game pieces. You may also want to mark your calendar for the Crokinole Tournaspiel on February 8 to 10.
Skate on the World’s Longest Naturally Frozen Trail
Warming huts featuring award-winning designs make skating on the Red River Mutual Trail a one-of-a-kind experience. Each year, near the end of January, winners of an art and architectural competition construct their designs. These structures, as well as a few from previous years, are placed on the trail for the duration of the skating season. The trail on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers is accessible from The Forks.