Spectacular Snowy Retreats To Try This Winter

Last Updated: 19 October 2022

Written By: Landsby Editorial Team

There’s nothing like snuggling up in a cozy hotel, inn or cabin during the winter. Add in a spectacular view and access to incredible winter activities and you’ve got the recipe for a magical winter getaway. Luckily Canada has some truly amazing winter retreats available and we are highlighting a few of them here as inspiration for the upcoming winter travel season.

To learn more about cool Canadian winter getaways, visit our new Winter Getaways page to browse and reach out to us with any questions about your next Canadian adventure.

Rocky Mountain Retreats

If you’ve never been to the Rocky Mountains in the winter, this might be the year to go. While beautiful and popular year-round, the Rocky Mountains are especially scenic with a dusting of snow on the trees and mountains. The resorts tend to be quieter in the winter months as well, which is a bonus when you’re looking for a quiet retreat.

Jasper Park Lodge

This stunning Fairmont property is a village in itself, set on 700 acres in the heart of Jasper National Park, with views of Lac Beauvert and the surrounding mountain peaks. Cozy heritage log cabins and luxurious guest rooms are connected by picturesque pathways throughout the property.

With an onsite spa, multiple dining options, outdoor fire pits and access to groomed cross-country ski trails, a skating rink and toboggan hill, you will be excused for not wanting to leave the property. But for those who want to venture out and explore Jasper National Park, this lodge is in close proximity to many of the most popular areas.

Visit the property as part of a dream ski holiday in Jasper on this 8-day ski excursion or, if skiing isn’t your thing, check out this 6-day winter excursion that combines fun Jasper activities (like a food tour and an ice walk in a canyon!) with a stay at the cozy lodge.

Banff Springs

The Fairmont Banff Springs hotel is one of the most famous landmarks in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Known as the “Castle in the Rockies,” this legendary property is more than 130 years old and has an imposing presence set against the snow-covered mountain peaks, overlooking a picturesque valley.

The hotel is located inside Banff National Park, Canada’s first-ever national park, and is one of the earliest of the grand railway hotels built in the late 1800s by the Canadian Pacific. Today, it offers an onsite spa, amazing dining options, ice skating and winter outdoor campfires. It is also in close proximity to all of Banff’s amenities, such as dining, shopping and sightseeing.

Stay at the Banff Springs as part of an amazing 10-day luxury winter package that takes you from Vancouver into the Rocky Mountains, with resort stays along the way.

Mount Engadine

Disconnect completely from the stresses of the modern world at the Mount Engadine Lodge, deep in the heart of Kananaskis Country. Staying at this wilderness alpine retreat means you trade in wi-fi signals and cellphone reception for wildlife sightings and reconnecting with nature and each other. Overnight stays here include gourmet chef-prepared meals and there are plenty of ways to get active outside.

Stay in the lodge, a cozy cabin or go more rustic with a glamping tent or yurt. The mountain vistas and snow-covered forests of the surrounding Spray Valley Provincial Park will take your breath away. This is the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of winter in the Rockies.

Combine a stay at this beautiful lodge with a visit to Banff and a sightseeing flight over the mountains on this 7-day Rockies excursion.

Québec & Ontario Retreats

Winter in Québec and Ontario is long and cold, but residents and visitors love to embrace all things snow and ice. You’ll find an abundance of cozy chalets, delicious warming cuisine and lots of outdoor activities.

Le Baluchon Éco-Villégiature

It doesn’t get more cozy than a winter stay at Le Baluchon eco-resort, located about an hour and 45 minutes east of Montréal in the Québec countryside. Surrounded by hundreds of acres of wilderness, Le Baluchon has a variety of accommodation and dining options scattered throughout its sprawling property. There is an onsite Nordic spa, river skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides through the snow, an indoor pool and 35 kilometres of groomed trails.

Relax and unwind at Le Baluchon on this 4-day winter wellness getaway that includes a massage, gourmet chef’s dinner and access to the spa. 

Hôtel de Glace

Is there anything more spectacular than sleeping in a hotel made of snow and ice? Québec’s famous Ice Hotel is a wonder of craftsmanship and makes for a truly one-of-a-kind stay. It is the only ice hotel in all of North America and it is located about 40 minutes north of Québec City.

During the day, you can wander around the hotel, check out the unique carvings in each room and enjoy a drink at the ice bar. Or head outside to the largest outdoor winter parks for ice skating, snow rafting, ice sliding or sledding. At night, cozy up in warm sleeping bags and enjoy the wonder of sleeping inside an ice structure. Don’t worry, each stay at the ice hotel comes with access to hot tubs, a sauna and a hotel room inside the adjacent Valcartier hotel (where you can take a hot shower, leave your suitcase and sleep if you get too cold).

Combine a visit to the Hôtel de Glace with a stay in Montréal and Québec City on this 7-day winter getaway that includes rail between the two cities — no winter driving required. 

Algonquin Log Cabin

There’s something magical about cozying up by a roaring fire in a cabin in the middle of the forest. The Algonquin Log Cabin is a remote lakeside rustic cottage located near the world-famous Algonquin Provincial Park. Guests to this off-grid wilderness retreat receive a full-service experience while disconnecting from the stress of everyday life.

Breathe in the fresh forest air, enjoy easy access to outdoor winter activities and relax in a small-group setting in the cozy interior spaces.

Stay in the Algonquin Log Cabin, with all meals, a dog-sledding experience and guided cross-country skiing included, on this 3-day winter adventure in Ontario.

Northern Canada Retreats

You haven’t experienced a truly magical winter until you’ve stared up at the Aurora Borealis in Canada’s north. While the temperatures might be cold, the trade off is stunning scenery, warm hospitality and an unforgettable experience.

Blachford Lake Lodge

Located in the rugged wilderness of the Northwest Territories, Blachford Lake Lodge is a fly-in-only, remote retreat that wows visitors with its casual luxury and epic scenery. Far away from city lights, roads and populations, the lodge is the perfect spot for enjoying quiet during the day and viewing the incredible Northern Lights at night.

Soak in the hot tub under a clear northern sky, enjoy a skate on the frozen lake or take a snowy walk to observe wildlife. The experience at Blachford Lake includes chef-prepared meals and cozy accommodations so all you have to do is relax and enjoy.

This 4-day winter package includes a chartered flight from Yellowknife to the lodge, all meals and accommodations and daily immersive experiences. 

Black Spruce Cabins

The Black Spruce features four self-contained cabins, each with a forest view, located just a few minutes from downtown Whitehorse in the Yukon. Rustic and eco-friendly, these cabins are modelled after the famous Juvet Landscape Hotel in Norway. They are built using sustainably sourced wood, come with access to a cedar sauna and are a completely unique accommodation option for those visiting Whitehorse.

Each compact cabin has a kitchen, bathroom and queen-sized bed. And even though you are just outside the city centre, with close access to restaurants and shops, you feel like a world away.

Try out these eco-cabins for yourself on this 4-day getaway that includes a car rental and access to the newly re-opened hot springs near Whitehorse.