It’s 4:40 p.m. in January and the sun has already packed up and left. Your boots are still wet from this morning, and the driveway needs shoveling again. Sound familiar? That’s Canada for you. Winter doesn’t show up for a weekend, it moves in like a roommate who never pays rent.
So how do people cope? Turns out, in a lot of clever, cozy, and slightly stubborn ways.
Lace up first, ask questions later
Here’s a number that surprised me. In 2023, 77% of Canadian households took part in outdoor activities close to home. That’s more than three in four, and the figure has barely budged since before the pandemic.
What are they doing out there? Skating tops the list, reported by about 1 in 10 households, with tobogganing and sliding close behind at 7%. Hockey, broomball and curling share the next rung with cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, each at 6%.
Skating makes sense when you think about it. A rink down the street costs next to nothing, and you don’t need a plan. Grab your skates, a thermos, and a friend who’s willing to fall over with you.
I’d add one more to that list, and it’s close to this blog’s heart: winter running. Crunchy snow underfoot, breath turning to clouds, cheeks stinging pink. It’s miserable for the first ten minutes and glorious after that. Layer up, shorten your stride on ice, and don’t skip the headlamp.
The great indoor retreat
Now, let’s be honest. Not everybody wants to be out there. One survey found that 58% of Canadians cope by curling up indoors and waiting for spring. That’s the majority, folks. If you’re one of them, no shame.
Those survey takers also shared what’s in their mugs. About a third named hot coffee as their winter favourite, while a quarter went for hot chocolate. Which tells me the real winter sport is holding something warm with both hands.
Inside, the routine looks pretty familiar. Long board game nights where someone always flips the table over Monopoly. Baking projects that turn the kitchen into a flour crime scene. Hockey on TV, naturally, with the volume cranked up and neighbours texting each other mid-game. And binge-watching, of course. Whole seasons of shows disappear between December and March.
Screens, cards, and a little flutter
Some Canadians fill the long, dark hours with digital play. Puzzle apps, co-op video games with cousins in another province, trivia nights over video call. A few adults like a bit of casino-style fun on a quiet night: poker with friends or a spin or two at Swiper Casino. It’s entertainment, same as a movie ticket, so set a budget before you start and walk away when it’s spent. Treat it like popcorn money, never rent money.
Markets, mugs, and mild adventure
Winter isn’t all solitude. Towns across the country throw winter markets with artisan crafts and homemade treats. Others hold carnivals, with ice sculptures and maple taffy poured right onto fresh snow. There’s something almost silly about eating candy on a frozen street while a stranger plays fiddle, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
For thrill seekers, there’s snowmobiling, night skiing, and ice fishing in a heated hut, which is basically a tiny living room parked on a lake. Cozy and slightly absurd. Just like Canada.
So, what’s the secret?
Here’s what I’ve figured out after watching this country handle its coldest months. There isn’t one trick. Canadians mix and match. A skate on Saturday, a movie marathon on Sunday, soup simmering all afternoon, a market stroll when a mild day sneaks through. Some days you’re a hardy snow person, other days a professional blanket burrito. Both count.
And maybe that’s the point. Winter is long, so you build a menu instead of a single plan. Something to look forward to on every weekend. A reason to call a friend. A hot drink within arm’s reach.
If you’re heading into the cold months yourself, try this: pick one outdoor thing and one indoor thing you’ve never done before. Make a rink visit your outdoor pick, or a first winter run if you’re feeling bold. Pick a new board game for the other. See which one sticks.
Spring will come, I promise. Until then, keep your mittens close and your calendar full.
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