5

1 | Yukon : Sourdough rendezvouS

Yukoners know winter . Whitehorse instituted its winter carnival week in 1945 to celebrate the season and the region ’ s famous bread . The focus here is on quirky cold-weather contests , from the farthest log toss to best-costumed pet to most exceptional mustache . Feb . 16-25

2 | B . C .: World Ski & SnoWboard FeStival

As if anyone needed another reason to hit the slopes in Whistler , this end-ofseason bash celebrates the best ( and most raucous ) of mountain culture . After shredding Blackcomb Mountain , attendees can watch the pros do it

Celebrations of snow and ice that prove nobody does cold weather better than Canadians

during freestyle ski and boarderstyle competitions . Free concerts , DJ sets , art installations and more offer ample off-piste fun . Dates to be announced

3 | alBerta : JaSPer in January

This multi-week celebration encourages participants to explore Jasper ’ s pristine wilderness , as well as its

By Craig Moy

urban sights , sounds and tastes . Show off your speed at the opening-weekend fat bike races , join a nighttime snowshoeing tour , warm your belly at a massive chili cook-off or embark on a downtown food crawl , and wrap it all up at a full-blown street party with epic fireworks . Best of all , many of the events and activities are free . Jan . 11-28

4 | SaSkatChewan : PotaShcorP WinterShineS

Saskatoon embraces the cold during this annual affair , which inspires guests to don toques , mitts and down-filled coats to take in a world-class ice-carving competition , snow sports , petting zoo and more . When it ’ s time to warm up , you can head to the soup cook-off and sample hearty offerings from the city ’ s top culinary talents . Jan . 27-Feb . 4

5 | ManitoBa : FeStival du voyageur

Hosted by Saint-Boniface , Winnipeg ’ s French quarter , this folksy fête toasts the province ’ s fur-trading legacy and its unique Francophone , Métis and First Nations heritage .

1 : yukon sourdough rendevouz ; 2 : dave humphreys / WssF ; 3 : parks Canada / adam greenBerg ; 4 : potashCorp Wintershines ; 5 : Festival voyageur / mB . Ca