Not sure about you, but I’m not a winter lover, and if I can’t get my family away for a winter vacation, I’ve found that I can survive the season by taking a short trip or two. You don’t have to travel far or break the bank to take advantage of what many local hotels and venues have to offer.
Last year, for example, I booked a couple of nights in downtown Toronto at the Delta Chelsea Hotel. My husband, daughter and I checked in on the night of December 25th, so that I could be in the heart of Toronto for the Boxing Day sales! Our friends decided to do the same thing, and while the guys and kids stayed back and took advantage of all the hotel amenities (pools, waterslide, family fun zone and more), my girlfriend and I shopped til we dropped. We returned to the hotel to unwind, went out for a nice dinner and everyone – moms, dads and kids alike – was happy
So consider getting away from the winter right in your own city. Many hotels offer great deals on 2 night family packages, in addition to the Delta Chelsea in Toronto, the Delta Vancouver Airport and Delta Bow Valley in Calgary offer family fun packages. Check out www.deltahotels.com for more information and more cities. It’s amazing what an indoor pool and a little room service can do to rejuvenate both the kids and, especially, the parents, leaving everyone ready to face a few more weeks of winter.
And don’t forget, if you only have a day, you can always visit your city’s attractions throughout the winter. Zoos, museums and science centers always seem to have something new to interest the kids and adults alike and can be less busy outside the traditional tourist season. Or, how about a trip to the theatre or symphony? Many orchestras offer shorter programs designed to help children appreciate classical music? Or get the entire family out to support your local sports teams.
If after all this fun in your own back yard, you still need a little R and R, don’t forget the lure of the local spa. Call up a girlfriend and getaway from it all for a few precious hours. You’ll be relaxed and ready for snow suits and boots all over again.
As always, you can redeem AIR MILES reward miles for a great selection of any of these hotels, venues, events, activities and attractions. Check out www.airmiles.ca for more ideas and visit the Leisure and Entertainment section.
Tell us about your best local winter getaway by Friday, December 5th at 5:00 pm EST in the comments section below. We have 10 prizes of 100 AIR MILES reward miles to give away and help you on your way!
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My husbands work has had us move several times during our 20+ years of marriage. We are always amazed at how few of the locals seem to have enjoyed their own tourist attractions. I just recently took a friend with me to the ROM to see the Diamond exhibit. She confessed that the last time she was at the ROM was for a Grade 3 class trip! Get out and explore your own neighborhood!
My favourite winter getaway at home is visiting Kitchener, Ontario during the annual Christkindl market festival. The market is based on a centuries-old European tradition of celebration centered around an outdoor/indoor Christmas market. You can skate on the outdoor rink, mill around the huts of food vendors with their traditional fare or go inside and meander through the crafts and goods for sale. Little things like the candlelight parade, carol sing and live nativity add to the charisma of the market which gives you the feeling of going back in time during this special holiday season. I never miss it!
My favourite winter getaway at home is visiting Kitchener, Ontario during the annual Christkindl market festival. The market is based on a centuries-old European tradition of celebration centered around an outdoor/indoor Christmas market. You can skate on the outdoor rink, mill around the huts of food vendors with their traditional fare or go inside and meander through the crafts and goods for sale. Little things like the candlelight parade, carol sing and live nativity add to the charisma of the market which gives you the feeling of going back in time during this special holiday season. I never miss it!
We are very lucky to live in a community close to the village of St. Jacobs. Bed and breakfasts, fine and casual dining, unique shopping, the market, theatre and most importantly the Mennonite people. There are not many places where you can see horse and buggies on the same road that you are traveling!
As long as my hubby is with me, I’m happy anywhere! Whether it’s ice skating at the local rink, skiing on the slopes, or cuddling inside on a cold day with hot chocolate!
When we , that’s hubby and myself, need a get away we take a drive out to the Black Cat Ranch in Hinton, AB. The place is ideal when you just want to get a way from the city life. A couple of hours from home we can stay at the ranch where there are no phone calls, no tv, no radio, no internet…. Just good home cooked meals, cozy rooms off the main lodge, and fun things like hikes, horse back riding, and a variety of retreats on different weekends. The ranch is a great place to reconnect.
Our winter getaway is our own home. Unfortunately my husband is a highway driver so he is usually only home for a night or two at a time. I would love to plan something more exciting than home for a movie but it is hard to plan in advance!
I’m from a small town, so my best local winter getaway consists of going to the local hockey rink for Sunday skating, and walking around the neighbourhood to check out everyone’s Christmas lights. There are no local attractions, other than that, but I still enjoy every minute.
My family and I love to go to Mont Tremblant in Quebec. It is a 1 1/2 hour drive from our home. It is a great place to ski/snowboard and nothing beats sitting out in the hot tub while the snow is softly falling . You can easily find accomodations to suit your needs but the best is where you can enter the hill right from your accomodation doorstep! A great family getaway for sure, close to home!!
Best getaway is to the local ski hill- Silver Star, Vernon,BC. Only 35 minutes away but an uplifting experience. Our area is very cloudy and gloomy in the winter, going to the ski hill you rise above the clouds and get sunshine!
The ski hill also offers a variety of activities- we have downhill skied, cross country skied, snowshoed,skated and tubed all in one weekend. Something for all ages.
My favourite winter getaway is to a bed and breakfast on Gabriola Island – just a few hours away and it seems like a lifetime away!!!
We love “getting away” to storm watch on the west coast of Vancouver Island. There is something magical about watching gigantic breakers crashing against jagged rocks while you are snuggled up safely in your warm room with your significant other enjoying a glass of wine.
Our best winter getaway is right where we live, Niagara Falls, Ontario!
The falls are beautiful when there is snow and ice, there are amazing nature trails and the Festival of Lights. When we need tropics we can go to the Atrium (free) or the Butterfly Conservatory.
Wonder place to be!
My of my favorite winter getaways is The Dominicn Republic..beautiful weather Sunshine and warm beaches…if you are very enthused about a weeks getaway you must really do some research for good DEALS at a 4 or 5 star resort. People are great,,friendly hospitable and a week in the Sun is Perfect In THE DR….
Our family’s favorite winter getaway is a visit to beautiful Jasper National Park in sunny Alberta. Surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, we love to breathe in the pristine air, walk the trails at Maligne Canyon,ski at Marmot Basin, watch for Elk and other wildlife, and drink lots of hot chocolate! A perfect winter getaway.
One of our favorite getaways is to Kananaskis Village just outside of Calgary. You can enjoy the spa, the nearby ski hill, tobogganing, ice skating, wildlife, or a walk on the scenic path around the village or just relax and enjoy the natural beauty just outside your window. Just writing about it makes me think it is time to go back!
One of my favorite winter getaways was a few years back when we went to Cuba with my children and my parents also joined us. It was a nice family holiday and something that my children got to experience with their grandparents!!
I’m not much of winter person, and living out here on Vancouver Island I don’t have to be. Just so we get a taste of what winters are really like, though, every January we had up to Mount Washington Ski Resort. My son’s school always has a winter activity day where they have a choice of activities, he always choses snowboarding, so Mom & Dad tag along and turn it to a ski weekend.
ienjoyed Cuba
Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Ontario is a fabulous indoor waterpark resort for those quick overnight, mid-week or weekend getaways with the family. My toddler and 4 year old love howling at the wolves over the fireplace in the main lodge and listening to them howl back.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to have a winter get away as a family.
We take day trips to visit the in-laws in Squamish.
Last November, my husband & I spent 2 days in Whistler. It was quite lovely.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to have a winter get away as a family.
We take day trips to visit the in-laws in Squamish.
Last November, my husband & I spent 2 days in Whistler. It was quite lovely.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to have a winter get away as a family.
We take day trips to visit the in-laws in Squamish.
Last November, my husband & I spent 2 days in Whistler. It was quite lovely.
Our favorite family getaway is in Canmore, we love to go hiking or just hang out with the locals and the wildlife, mountains and the beautiful scenery!!!
My favourite local getaway is the Cozy Cabin Bed and Breakfast in Nakusp, BC. Tammy the host makes and awesome Eggs Benny and the complimentary wine in your suite is a nice touch.
We live near Vancouver in BC and every winter we become tourists in our own city. We do a little bit of research on activities that are happening around us like great Christmas light displays and then we all put on our warm PJ’s and drive around town in our van looking for the spectacular displays. It is a great family tradition and we almost always end up finding something we have never seen before, whether it be a different part of town or a new activity happening that we have never been to before. We always get so excited when we discover something new. It’s a lot of fun being a tourist in your own city because you think you know all there is to know abot where you live but you may be surprised!!
Our family loves to go to Niagara Falls and just take it all in. Such as the festival of lights and many of their other attractions.
As I live in Calgary, the beautiful Rockies are about an hour away. I love to take a day trip to Canmore, and enjoy a nice walk, some sightseeing, or a little shopping in one of the most beautiful places on earth!
My favorite winter getaway is in Blue River BC. That is where the Mike Wiegle heli ski resort is but over christmas is slow so you can rent a beautiful cabin in the deep snow at a discount and join them for a huge banquet christmas dinner instead of shopping and cooking. So far by far our favorite christmas/winter holiday ever.
Local hangouts….Theatre downtown, sno tubing, family & friends get togethers
Living in Edmonton provides a wealth of opportunities from skiing right on our own city ski hill to visiting the amazing Telus Space and Science Centre. Heading over to West Edmonton Mall waterpark and fantasyland also allows our family to be entertained and enjoy amazing activities.
The idea of leaving our kids with their grandma so my husband and I can have an evening to ourselves in one of the many great hotels is also on my list this holiday season.
West Edmonton mall waterpark, amusement park and shopping.
I live in Edmonton and there are tons of activities to do in the winter. I love visiting Candy Cane Lane, the Festival of Trees and always make sure to stop by the Butterdome craft sale!
I live in NB. The winters are often very cold or stormy. The best place to go is to hide out in the mall.
My favourite winter getaway is to go to Niagara Falls. The hotels are cheaper, there are less people, and the falls are just as beautiful. There is the spectacular Festival of Lights and now an indoor waterpark, so there’s lots to see and do. In fact, I think I’ll book a trip right now!
traveling to Ottawa with my kids
an afternoon shopping, Ottawa winter Festival
exciting weekend getaway!
We already live in a beautiful place, between mountains with wood all around. So, our best winter getaway is to stay around, walk in the small town who seems to be a little christmas one with all the snow around. We love playing outdoor with our kids and coming indoor after to sit in front of the fire, with hot chocolate.
WHISTLER IS THE BEST PLACE TO GET IN THE WINTER MOOD. THE ATMOSPHERE IS RELAXED AND THE SKIING IS GREAT. HERE ON THE ISLAND WE DONT GET ALOT OF SNOW SO BEING IN THE MOUNTAINS SURE PUTS YOU IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT WITH THE LIGHTS AND SNOW AND ALL BUNDLED UP, EGGNOG BY THE FIRE AHH WOULD LOVE TO GO .
Every year we go snowmobiling in the woods behind our house, then on a nice sunny afternoon we use the same trails to cross-country ski on.
But best of all is the City of Sarnia’s night time Santa parade with all the floats lite up, finishing off at the parkways celebration of lights.
A few weeks after that is the SnowFest snow and ice carving competitions, which has lots of activites and you can see the teams of artists from all around the world as they work.
A winter getaway to the Hills at 100 Mile House is the height of decadence. A fabulous spa with incredible cross country trails and great food. What more could you want?
Going out to the country to visit local farms and rural craft fairs always gets me in the holiday spirit.
With a family of four we love to go to Whistler. Not too far away, but far enough and different enough from the City that we feel we are on holidays… Lots to do outside and inside and can be affordable!
Vancouver!! We love going there to spend Christmas and the New Year together. Lotsa fun. Our family has a nice pool and we all get together.
My second choice would be Niagara Falls. Even though it’s cold, we love watching the Falls and all the decorations.
We love to go skiing so there’s a great ski hill about 1 hour away across the river in Michigan that we go to and have a great day with having to trave very far since we live in Windsor and there’s not enough snow here in the winter to ski here.
The Metro Zoo in Toronto offers free admission on Boxing Day. We made a tradition to do that every year because my daughter’s fave animal is the Polar Bear and they don’t tend to be very interesting in the summertime!!
As a family during the winter month before Christmas we love to go to local Santa Clause Parades. This last weekend we attended the Main Street Markham Santa Clause Parade and later in the day came back for the Santa Fest and Festival of Lights. They had the street closed to traffic and had a stage with bands and singing, carolers on the streets, a petting zoo for the kids as well as performances by fire eaters, They had a tree lighting ceremony and a huge 20 min fireworks display. My son loved it all, what a great short winter getaway all for free. We always forget that there are local things to do for free. We had a great time and are looking forward to the next one.
We love to go to Niagara Falls too especially Dufferin islands where viewing the beautiful festival of lights is by donation
I live in a very rural area, I just love to snowshoe in the woods and have a gourmet coffee in front of the woodstove when I get back.
We always hit “The Edge” indoor water park in Duluth MN (just south of us) in mid february. Its like a mini tropical vacation and it gets us away from the humdrum midwinter life
Well being a mom of 3 and also having a really big kid too…that makes 4 LOL!! We LOVE the outdoors…weather it be skiing, tubing at one the many great resorts close to the GTA area, sleding, skating, we’ll do it all. Now this is what we did last year new year’s day…having a husband that LOVES (obsessed with) Fishing, we bundled up the kids packed up the truck with ice hut and heaters of course (that was a cold day, if you remember), food and lots of hot chocolate and headed to Lake Simcoe. As we have to trek out with the gear and food/hot chocolates on one sled and the hut being another sled, 3 kids and all the fishing gear out we went…. after a while we finally found the spot to set up the hut. We all helped out and we all fit in the one hut, nice and cozy we all were (a bit tight in there but we stayed warm). The kids are real troopers they never complained once, okay maybe once LOL. And a fishing we did start, bite after bite we kept the kids happy catching small perch and occasional whitefish…then my 5 year old got a good bite, he said I think it’s a bass mom and a big one. I said sure sure we’ll see when it comes up and what a kid…he pulls up a Bass and it was a 3 pounder. What a champ!!! So it really doesn’t matter where you go or what you do as long as the family is all together having a great time!!! We’ll be back out there again this, might try another lake this time. Cheers to you all!
We usually go to the Mill River Resort in PEI at least one weekend (although often we go twice) every winter. The kids love to go tubing down the big hills for a fun-filled afternoon. After supper we usually take a dip in the indoor pool with a huge slide that the kids love almost as much as the tubing!
We love our little home on the bank of the Shubenacadie River, Nova Scotia. After a snowfall everthing is so beautiful, it’s like living in a winter wonderland.
I live in PEI. A really short getaway. Go to a flower shop. The smells and greenery lift my spirits. No cost very short getaway!
My best winter getaway was a trip to Calgary several years ago. We went to the zoo and also did the christmas light tour. Getting to be with my kids for Christmas that year after so many away was totally joyous. The snow capped mountains weren’t bad either!
Every winter my two girls and I rent a hotel somewhere nearby (every year it’s a different city) and enjoy the area and the amenities. We’ve been to a lot of great fun places and are looking forward to seeing more.
Our almost local getaway would be to drive to kelowna. Do some shopping at the beautiful decorated mall. Then go spend a few hours in the afternoon at the newly opened wave pool. That is a great way to get away from it all, and totaly relax.
Love to walk the city of Toronto, see the lights or go to Niagara for the lights there – cheap & cheerful 🙂
My wife and myself take our children out to visit the local dog sled races that take place every year in a town close by to where we live. Our children enjoy this immensely, as they get to see all of the competitors and there dogs. There is a minimal admission charge, but there are plenty of activities for the children to participate in.
West Edmonton Mall Waterpark is exciting weekend getaway!
We live in BC and every year we stay around the Seattle area just my husband and two girls and I. We recharge our batteries by going to the local tourist attractions like the Zoo and Science Centre (that our Vancouver annual passes give recipricals too!) Free, fun activities. Getting away from the hustle and bustle and hanging out together feels great!
We like to go sledding on a local hill in Pembroke, Ontario called “the Motherhouse”. Its a really big hill and can go really fast down it.
I live on P.E.I and I would recommend the annual Jack Frost winter Festival that takes place here every winter. There is so many things to do for the whole family; Ice sculptures from renownes artists from around the world; great cuisine; and wonderful live shows with great musicians!
We like to stay close to home and take walks in the park and feed the birds. Then we go home and sit in front of the fireplace with hot chocolate to warm up. Great way to spend time as a family.
Toronto City Hall has lots of free events for the family. Every night you can see the great extensive light show where all the trees are brightly lit. Music too!
My husband and I and our two daughtes love spending time outdoors. Some of our favorite local things to do in the winter are to spend an afternoon of skating on the lake, coasting parties, cross-country skiing and our new latest love is geocaching which is so much fun for all of us.
I love going to the Enchanted Forest set up in our Forestry Farm park. It is a wonder of light and beauty, full of colours and enchanting characters, shapes, and animals. This year, there is a Noah’s Ark display. It always gives me a feeling of hope for good things to come, and I look forward to it every year.
Ottawa! It’s a bit of a drive but a lovely trip by train. Skating on the canal is something I’ll always remember.
When our daughter was young we drove 150 km to Winnipeg for a relaxing winter holiday weekend getaway.We stayed at a hotel with a pool and while I shopped my husband and daughter enjoyed the hotel pool. We enjoyed a supper out at a child friendly restaurant. By the end of the weekend we were ready to drive back home with happy hearts.
Niagara Falls in the winter is a great getaway. I recently booked an overnight stay in Niagara Falls, our hotel was overlooking the Canadian and American Falls, what a view!. I live so close to this amazing place and I am still amazed watching one of the wonders of the world.
A few years ago we took my parents, brother, sister-in-law and neice for Christmas in Niagara Falls! It was a great deal of fun! It was actually very relaxed and quiet on Christmas day so we were able to spend the day enjoying the Doubletree hotel and then we were able to also enjoy some great shopping on the subsequent days!
We love to see the x-mas light display in Simcoe- great evening out for the whole family…dress warm!
Sir Sam’s in Haliburton. We ski, ski, ski, and then ski some more!!
We like to go to Sheffield Mills. This is in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. It is called the Eagle Watch. Every y ear in late Jan. early Feb. the community is a buzz with Eagles. There are lots of chicken farmers in the area and the eagles are attracted to the area because of the chicken. There are pancake breakfasts, homemade baked bean suppers, homemade chowder luncheons, art displays, local crafts and of course lots and lots of eagles to see in the trees. It is fun for the whole family.
We love to go to Niagara Falls. We spend some time on Clifton Hill, have a nice meal, then enjoy the Winter Festival of Lights. It’s a really nice day trip that the kids look forward to year after year.
We love to go to Niagara Falls. We spend some time on Clifton Hill, have a nice meal, then enjoy the Winter Festival of Lights. It’s a really nice day trip that the kids look forward to year after year.