Winter Activities Canadians Can Enjoy for Free

You want to escape to the warmth and sun, but work and finances mean you can't do that for more than one or two weeks each winter. So, rather than lament living in a cold climate, why not embrace it?

To make the best of what Canadian winters have to offer, take advantage of these free or inexpensive activities that just may make you appreciate those below-zero temperatures a little bit. And who knows: you might fall in love with winter if you give it a chance!

1. Public skating - Few pursuits are as quintessentially Canadian as a skate on frozen water. In most of our cities, public skating rinks are free. Some spots, like the rink behind Toronto's Harbourfront Centre, offer lessons. Others, such as the Rideau Canal in Ottawa and the rink at Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, present iconic experiences that make winter fun.
2. Museums on discount days - Almost every museum in the country offers free admission at some point each week. Find out what the hours are at your favourite local museum and get cultured. If you're in Montreal, be sure to check out that city's fine arts museum, which is not only free, it's one of the best in the country.
3. Snowshoeing - Like ice skating, snowshoeing is a truly Canadian pursuit, and one that can be enjoyed for no cost if you own your own snowshoes. If you don't, rentals are available at kiosks and businesses that have trails leading to or from their property. From Vancouver to St. John's, snowshoeing can take you into nature during one of the most beautiful times of the year. Being amid the woods with snow clinging to trees and with all silent except for your breath is a sublime moment that not enough of us enjoy. Snowshoeing isn't as difficult as cross-country skiing, nor as expensive or time consuming. Give it a try and you might be surprised how quickly you take to it.
4. Libraries - Our public libraries are national treasures and they offer all kinds of free or low-cost activities, including writing workshops, readings from authors and film screenings. Check the schedule of events at your local library and take advantage of what's offered. After all, your tax dollars are going toward making those events possible.
5. Maple syrup making/cooking classes - You'll never buy Aunt Jemima's again once you've tasted maple syrup tapped from a tree. You'll love that sweet stuff even more if you capture it yourself. Many locations in Canada offer maple syrup-making classes for next to no cost, and those sessions often include the chance to bring home whatever you make.