Winter Season in New Brunswick can be so much fun! New Brunswick may get the most snow in the Canadian Maritimes each year, but that’s no reason to stay indoors! With this list of activities you can show winter who’s the boss and spend some time outside with family and friends. Get ready for some serious winter fun!
Skiing or Snowboarding
Whether you are a beginner or super experienced skier or snowboarder, you are sure to have a lot of fun on these fantastic snowy hills and trails. Here’s a list of the best ski resorts across New Brunswick:
- Crabbe Mountain, 50 Crabbe Mountain Road, Central Hainesville
- Sugarloaf Provincial Park, 360 Chem. Mont Farlagne, Saint-Jacques
- Mont Farlagne, 360 Chem. Mont Farlagne, Saint-Jacques
- Poley Mountain, 69 Poley Mountain Rd, Waterford
Snowmobiling
New Brunswick has some of the best riding in the world, if you like to get out there and play with nature. Snowmobiling is not the only way to adventure across New Brunswick during winter. Local ATV clubs maintain more than 500 km of groomed trails (and ungroomed trails) across the province during winter. Contact your local club or check out the Quad NB website for trails and other pertinent information. You also need ATV permits.
Zip Lining
Timbertop Zip Tours is taking you on a winter adventure unlike any other. After a sleigh ride and hot chocolate at their campfire, you can climb your way over the old-growth forests through rickety ziplines. The unique delight of this adventure is that you’ll have a stunning view from the trees while doing so.
Hiking/Snowshoeing
Snowshoes can get you through the winter and make your hiking more enjoyable. Winter is great because it’s usually the time of year when most people don’t feel like hiking outside. However, there are some trails that are inaccessible during the winter and you’ll need a pair of snowshoes to fully enjoy them.
Below are the best places to experience a challenging hike, climb to a lookout and enjoy the views.
- Sussex Bluffs Trail, 17 Rockridge Dr, Sussex Corner
- Parlee Brook Amphitheatre Trail, 394 Parlee Brook Road, Sussex
- Midland Ice Caves Trail, Upper Midland Rd, Norton
- Ganong Nature Park, 350 Todd’s Point Road, St. Stephen
- Simpson Hill Wilderness Trail Network, NB-127, Saint Croix Parish
Glamping
New Brunswick is packed with amazing cabins and yurts that are open during the colder months. Get away from it all and have a relaxing weekend surrounded by a quiet forest.
- Cielo Glamping Maritime, 232 Chemin des Huitres, Haut-Shippagan
- Glamp Camp, 6054 NB-105, Waterborough
- Yurts and oTENTiks, Fundy National Park
Sleigh Riding
If you love spending time in the great outdoors, consider taking a sleigh ride this winter. Sleigh rides are a great way to enjoy the snow. You and one or two other people will enjoy a relaxing ride as you travel through beautiful landscapes.
- Broadleaf Ranch, 5526 Rte. 114, Hopewell Hill
- Sandwith’s Sleigh Rides, 2031 Route 620, Douglas Parish
- Clarke’s Sleigh Rides, 379 Mainstream Rd, Brighton
Seeing some frozen waterfalls
Have an unforgettable winter hiking adventure to a frozen waterfall. A hike that provides you with unparalleled views of N.B’s icy beauty. Experience seeing the wonder of nature turning running waterfalls into an art.
- Fall Brook Falls
- Fundy National Park Waterfalls
- Hays Falls on the Maliseet Trail
- Fundy Trail Parkway Waterfalls
Skating
You don’t need to be a hockey player or even a skater to skate on ice. Get your skates and hit the ice outside this winter. Whether you choose a historic location like Officers’ Square in Fredericton, natural locations like Lily Lake in Saint John or a pond that is all frozen solid, ice skating outdoors is a quintessential winter activity.
Visiting Provincial Parks and National Parks
New Brunswick’s provincial parks and national parks turn into gorgeous winter wonderlands after a sparkly blanket of snowfall. Take the whole family out for some winter fun on the weekend in the parks.
- Sugarloaf Provincial Park
- Mactaquac Provincial Park – Free admission in winter
- Mount Carleton Provincial Park
- Fundy National Park
- Kouchibouguac National Park
Ice Fishing
Come on out for an exciting winter adventure to see if the fish really are biting during the winter months. Great for family visits, this is a great way to get active and have fun! Best part of all? You don’t have to wake up early or stay up late
Road Trip
Drive along winding country roads, off the beaten path. The views are beautiful in any season, especially when they are highlighted by snowfall during wintertime. These beautiful New Brunswick scenic drives are ready for exploring any time of year.
- Acadian Coastal Drive
- River Valley Scenic Drive
- Fundy Coast
- Fundy Trail Parkway
Winter Fat Biking
You can find ready-made improvised biking trails in many parks. The whole family can enjoy the fresh air while they ride. Unlike regular mountain bikes, fatter tires are used which not only allows you to travel over softer ground but also keeps you safe in icy conditions as well as on hills and hills.
- Rockwood Park
- Mont Farlagne Outdoor Centre
- Mactaquac Provincial Park
- Sugarloaf Provincial Park
- Club plein air
- Fundy National Park & Kouchibouguac National Park
Dog Sledding
There’s nothing better than a dog team to take you on the winter adventures of a lifetime. Meet the dogs firsthand and then cozy up in the shed as you go dashing through the snow! From short few-hour tours (up to 3 dogs and you) to longer winter experiences, there is an adventure for everyone.
Cross Country Skiing
There’s nothing like dropping into fresh powder on cross country skis; it’s a great way to explore a natural area that you wouldn’t normally see on foot. Cross country skiing allows you to move along with your environment and see something unexpected. Get some exercise with friends and family, or let the kids run off some energy by chasing each other around in a wide open space. You can even rent equipment from local shops or sign up for ‘Learn to Ski’ programs at ski resorts.
Winter Celebrations
It’s not just about the holidays! New Brunswick is all about the winter. There’s nothing better than spending a day outdoors with family and friends – and even better, kicking back to watch them do the same.
And with that in mind, we’ve put together a list of some of the best family friendly events happening during New Brunswick’s winter!
- Shivering Songs
- WinterFrolic D’Hive
- Frostival – Fredericton
- Hubcap Comedy Festival – Moncton
- Fundy Winterfest – Saint John
- Sackville Winterfest
- Hartland Winter Carnival Winterfest
- Shippagan’s Ice Carnival
- Dieppe Winter Carnival – usually held in Late January to Mid February
- Riverview Winter Carnival – usually held in February
- Appalachian Carnival – usually held in February
Campbellton Snow-Fest– usually held in February - East Restigouche Winter Festival – usually held in February/March
- Snow Blast Florence Ville-Bristol – Usually held in February
- Perth-Andover Winter Carnival – Usually held during Family Day weekend
- Bathurst Snow Bear Winter Carnival – Usually held in February
- Shediac Winter Carnival – Usually held in February
- Saint-Quentin Winter Carnival– Usually held in February
Winter is one of the most exciting times of the year, full of opportunities for fun activities—and, thanks to local programs and events all over the country, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this winter season.
