The 15 Best Winter Tours in Canada

1.Whistler Wilderness Run Snowmobile Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 724 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) Our pick

Set out from Carleton Lodge for a three-hour guided snowmobile trip through Whistler’s backcountry. You’ll receive training and gear before riding forest trails, frozen lakes, and mountain routes with views of the Coastal Mountain Range. Guides such as Kyle, Brock, Tom, and Andrew are known for patient instruction and a safety-first pace.

“The wilderness run snowmobile activity is a must do! Our tour guide, Kyle, was great. The trip was both fun and scenic.”

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2.2 Hour Wilderness Adventure Snowmobile Tour in Whistler

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 610 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $202

Spend about two hours snowmobiling through Whistler’s Brandywine and Callaghan valleys with a professional guide. You’ll receive a helmet, goggles, boots, gloves, and warm clothing if needed, then stop for views of Black Tusk and Mount Fee. Guides such as Eden, Vince, Ryan, and Sam are praised for patient instruction and careful pacing.

“Awesome tour! Thank you very much for this experience. We had so much fun, took icredible pictures at breathtaking spots.”

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3.Callaghan Cruiser Snowmobile Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 452 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet at Carlton Lodge in Whistler Village, then ride 20 to 25 minutes to Callaghan Valley. After gear fitting and basic instruction, you’ll follow wide forest trails to the NorthAir gold mine. The pace suits first-time riders and families, with a local guide nearby throughout. Kids ages 5 to 12 ride free with a paying adult.

“Great guide. She was fabulous . Lots of opportunity to ride fast . No hassles. Great views. Good value”

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4.Athabasca Glacier Snow Trip from Banff

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 394 reviews · 11 hours (approx.) · from $291

Travel from Banff along the Icefields Parkway with a professional guide, stopping at Crowfoot Glacier and Bow Lake before riding an Ice Explorer across Athabasca Glacier. Lunch, the Glacier Skywalk, and pickup are included. Guides such as Neil, Georgia, Jake, and Chloe are praised for clear stories and strong local insight.

“This tour was worth every penny. The glacier was amazing! And our guide (I don't trust my memory but I believe his name was Spencer) was so knowledgeable about the area - wildlife, plant life, and history. He also provided excellent recommendations for other things to do and places to visit during the remainder of our stay in Banff.”

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5.Guided Snowmobile Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $120

Ride a Skidoo Sports Ace 600 across Yellowknife’s frozen lakes and forest trails with guides such as Leon, Gabriel, and Lian. This beginner-friendly tour includes indoor instruction, heated helmets, heated handlebars, winter clothing, hotel pickup, and about 50 to 60 minutes of riding. From January 16, select tours add an Ice Cave visit and longer riding time.

“Rough ride at the beginning, but we managed to get past it. It’s very interesting experience to ride the snowmobile! Highly recommended this activity.”

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6.Medicine Trail Snowshoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 279 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $117

Join Canadian Wilderness Adventures for a three-hour snowshoe walk from Whistler into Callaghan Valley. Guides such as Mel, Jeremy, Ryan, Tom, and Jourdain have led guests along an old trapper’s route, explaining local trees and plants while serving medicinal tea and a snack. Snowshoes, shuttle transport, and the return trip are included.

“We had a chance of going while it was snowing, so the whole tour was spectacular. A walk trough a snowy forest with frozen lakes. The snowshoe walking can be tricky, but it's pretty easy to do.”

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7.Victoria Bites and Sights Walking + Ferry (winter Sat, Sun)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 242 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $63

Spend about 2.5 hours walking Victoria with a local English-speaking guide, sampling small bites and drinks, and riding a harbor ferry. The route covers Chinatown, Fan Tan Alley, Bastion Square, Market Square, the Empress, and the Inner Harbour. Guides such as Gary, Fish, Julie, Rebecca, and Roberto bring strong local knowledge and an easygoing style.

“Book this tour - you will be glad you did. We had a wonderful tour guide - Fish. He went above and beyond, so knowledgeful, kind, funny and interesting. We thought the tour was also great value for money. I would recommend this tour to anyone visiting Victoria. Do it on your first day (unlike us!) and you will get lots of useful tips for other great things to do in Victoria.”

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8.Family Friendly Horse-Drawn Sleigh Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 237 reviews · 40 min · from $39

Meet your driver at Banff Trail Riders Stables for a 40-minute horse-drawn sleigh ride through mountain meadows. You will hear local stories, watch for elk and deer, and see Rundle and Cascade mountains from under a wool blanket. Guides such as Grace, Emily, Brooklyn, and Nat have been praised for their warm, informative approach. In thin snow, the sleigh may become a wagon.

“The guides are very friendly and excellent with kids. They were very informative. Overall an absolutely wonderful experience.”

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9.Winter Victoria Whale and Wildlife Zodiac Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $129

Set out from Victoria’s Inner Harbour in a 12-passenger Zodiac with a marine naturalist and captain. You’ll wear a full flotation cruiser suit, scan the waters for humpback whales, Bigg’s killer whales, seals, sea lions, otters, and birds, and use a hydrophone to hear whale calls. The three-hour tour runs rain or shine.

“This tour was fun and enjoyable, even in the rain! We walked around town, taste tested a range of food and, learnt so much about the history of the area. It felt good to support local businesses.”

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10.Guided Snowmobile Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 214 reviews · 1h 30m · from $151

Meet your guide at Action Plein Air on Île d’Orléans, about an hour from Quebec City, for a 90-minute snowmobile ride. You receive a safety lesson, helmet, and winter gear before following a guide through wooded trails and open stretches. Antoine often leads in English and French, and groups may pause for maple syrup.

“We had a fantastic experience with the get your guide. The guide was fantastic; he provided us with appropriate protective layering, which kept us warm and cosy throughout the 1.5-hour journey through the snow terrains. The path for the snowmobile tour is breathtaking. We got to taste the maple syrup because Quebec is one of the largest (92%) manufacturers in Canada, and I must say it was the purest, tastiest, and most cost-effective maple syrups I've ever had. It is an incredible experience to have within nature.”

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11.Abraham IceBubble, Peyto, Bow Lake with Snowshoeing& Icewalk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 146 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $74

Spend 6 to 8 hours exploring the Rockies by minibus, with stops at Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Crowfoot Glacier and seasonal Abraham Lake or Sunwapta Falls. Crampons, a hot drink, blankets and photo help are included. Guides such as Tony, William and Edward adjust the route when winter roads change.

“William, our guide, was fantastic! Definitely ask for him. Our December tour was well planned and shifted as the conditions required. We experienced a Winter Wonderland!”

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12.Jacques-Cartier National Park Snowshoeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 127 reviews · 1 day · from $108

Leave Quebec City by bus for a guided snowshoe walk in Jacques-Cartier National Park. Your guide teaches the basics, leads you through the Belleau Creek valley and along the Sautauriski River, and points out tracks, trees, and nests. Lunch, hot drinks, equipment, park entry, and bilingual guiding are included.

“The day was fantastic. The hike was not hard but you felt like you did something and the view from the top was amazing. Our guide was very knowledgeable showing us various kinds of tracks or animal nests along the way. They even brought snacks and hot chocolate! It was the highlight of our trip to Quebec.”

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13.Abraham Ice Bubble/Sunwapta Falls,Snowshoeing,Icefield, Bow&Peyto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 11 to 12 hours (approx.) · from $68

Set out from Banff at 7:00 am for a full day along the Icefields Parkway. You may see turquoise Bow and Peyto lakes, Abraham Lake’s winter ice bubbles, glaciers, and major waterfalls. Guides such as Kenneth, Lam, and Ray provide local facts, photo help, hot drinks in winter, and crampons when conditions require them.

“Had a great experience. Offered pick-up and drop-off straight to my hotel. Ray, our guide, was absolutely lovely and very informative. Would definitely recommend this tour, especially if you are travelling without your own car.”

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14.Snowshoeing Tour in Jacques-Cartier National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $119

Leave Quebec City at 9am for a guided snowshoe hike in Jacques-Cartier National Park. Guides such as Gabrielle and Lorenzo lead a moderate forest route with wildlife notes, photo stops, local tastings, hot chocolate, and lunch in or near a heated tipi. Equipment, park fees, and transport are included.

“Really lovely! Our guide (Gabrielle) knew so much about the park, and the snowshoe path was absolutely gorgeous. It felt like a friendly challenge for newcomers to snowshoeing, with plenty of breaks along the way. Highly recommend.”

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15.1 Hour Snowmobile Adventure in Yellowknife

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 37 reviews · from $84

Spend about an hour driving a new 2024 snowmobile across a frozen lake and through wild forest near Yellowknife. Your guide, often Julian, Sheldon, Mark, Steve, or another member of the small team, adjusts the pace to your skill. Heated helmets and controls help, but dress warmly and watch weather updates closely.

“Great experience, the guide helps varying the routes and discover new sensations. Nice setting on a lake with some forest as well.”

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