A Look at Canada’s Most Popular Winter Sports

Canada is a vast nation whose geography encompasses countless unique environments. But if there is one constant in Canada, it is winter. Every part of the nation experiences a winter, but residents make the best of it by enjoying thrilling winter sports. Canadians love their winter sports, and they have become a key part of the country’s culture.

Not only do Canadians play winter sports, but they also wager on them. Millions of residents enjoy hockey betting in Canada or wagering on major ski tournaments. So, what are the winter sports that Canadians enjoy the most? There are several that Canadians wager on and partake in throughout the season, so let’s explore some of the most popular winter sports in Canada.

Hockey

There is no question that hockey is Canada's game. Hockey has been played in Canada for well over a hundred years, and across the country, fans passionately support their local teams, whether it is in the NHL, WHL, QMJHL, or numerous other leagues across the nation. Many Canadians will suit up for hockey teams during the winter, playing in leagues with members of their age group. Also extremely popular is shinny, where hockey players can play at available times at local rinks with friends and strangers. It is a classic part of a Canadian winter.

Alpine Skiing

There is no Canadian winter without skiing, and Canada’s ski options are famed across the globe. Canada is known for having some of the best ski options of any country, particularly in the western region of the country. Alberta and British Columbia have some of the best alpine ski options you’ll find, with world-famous destinations like Banff and Whistler bringing in visitors from every corner of the globe. But there are ski options in nearly every province, with Quebec and Ontario both having exciting destinations as well.

Many Canadians have chalets and ski lodges, and areas like Collingwood, Mont Tremblant, and Whistler all have famous Apres-Ski events and charming town areas.

Snowboarding

While the majority of Canadians prefer to ski at the popular alpine destinations in Canada, there are also a huge number of Canadians that would prefer to snowboard. Snowboarding is a wildly popular winter activity. Daring Canadians will board down the vast mountains or hills of Canada’s famous skiing hotspots, slicing their way through the snow. Many of the biggest ski areas in Canada will have terrain parks, where snowboarders can try their luck with challenges like a half-pipe or rails. These are typically only for more skilled and experienced boarders, but they make for an adrenaline-inducing winter experience.

Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Not everyone wants the heart-pounding thrills of flying down a ski hill. Others prefer the physical strain and calmness of skiing or snowshoeing through flatter terrain. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are two hugely popular winter activities in Canada. Skis and snowshoes allow people to stay atop the snow, and they can power through and explore the area with poles. This is something visitors can go to a ski area to enjoy or just head to a large park or nature preserve near them. It is an easy way to experience gorgeous winter settings and also makes for top-notch exercise.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling brings excitement and thrills to those that want to reach maximum speeds. Snowmobiling is very similar to jet skiing, except rather than zipping across the water on a powerful vehicle, you are moving over snow. Snowmobiling is found in every part of the country that has heavy snowfalls during the winter, and these powerful machines can reach upwards of 100 miles per hour. Snowmobiling is best enjoyed in a flat, open environment where riders don’t need to worry about trees and other challenging obstacles. There are also snowmobile races gamblers can wager on.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Aleksandra Djurdjevic          

Senior Content Creator

Aleksandra Djurdjevic is a senior writer and editor, covering snowboarding, skiing and trends in outdoor winter activities. She has previously worked as ESL teacher for English Tochka. Aleksandra graduated from the Comparative Literature department at the Faculty of Philosophy in Serbia. Aleksandra’s love for the mountains, getting out in the snow on her board, season after season, seeking wild snow adventures across the globe helps her continue to be a top expert at CSG.