Outdoor winter activities in Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia is full of activities for the adventurous and outdoorsy winter lovers. Whether you dream about fresh powder awaiting you on the ski hills, spending your days out on the trails snowmobiling, fat biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or hiking OR trying your hand at winter surfing or viewing Nova Scotia on a private helicopter tour — it’s all here in Nova Scotia!

Discover where to do these winter activities, places to stay, and exciting packages that will turn you into a doer instead of a dreamer!

Snowmobiles, ATVs, UTVs/Side-by-Sides

Unique places to stay

Selkie’s Rest, located near the Cape Breton Highlands snowmobile trail system in Baddeck, allows guests to park their snowmobile, ATV/quad/UTV/SxS in the garage of your very own lighthouse-styled accommodation rental.

Inverary Resort, located in Baddeck close to the Cape Breton Highlands snowmobile trails, offers packages for snowmobilers to book their overnight stay where they can leave from the resort to hit the trails. And, if you don’t have your own sled – no problem – guided snowmobile tours can be arranged through TNT Outdoor Adventures.

Blue Barn Cottage is a four-season vacation home located in North East Margaree where you can access the multipurpose, all-season Trail 105 from the property. The cottage is an ideal homebase for families and friends touring the Cape Breton Highlands by snowmobile in the wintertime and/or by ATV, UTV and/or Side-by-Side anytime of the year.

Cape Breton Snowmobile Weekends Hosted At “The Shed” in Margaree Forks
Experience a three-day, all-inclusive weekend in the Cape Breton Highlands where meals, accommodations, guided snowmobiling, a mountain hike and more are all thoughtfully prepared for you to take part in by Margaree Weekends.

Snowmobiling in the Cape Breton Highlands

Snowmobile, ATV, UTV/Side-by-Side Guided Tours

TNT Outdoor Adventures in Cape Breton offers spectacular year-round guided tours throughout the Cape Breton Highlands aboard their snowmobiles, UTVs and side-by-sides. Tour packages include all necessary gear, helmets, liners and safety glasses to ensure you stay perfectly warm while experiencing the snowy trails in the Highlands.
Porters Peak Adventure Getaway in Porters Lake offers guided ATV and Side-by Side tours year-round. Get your adrenaline pumping during this high-energy tour through wooded trails where you’ll have fun navigating the rocky, rooted terrain. Tours include all fuel, a helmet, and gloves.

Snowmobile, ATV, Side-by-Side Rentals

In Baddeck, you can rent snowmobiles and side-by-sides from Highland Powersport Rentals
In Porters Lake, you can rent ATVs and side-by-sides from Porters Peak Adventure Getaway

An ATV tour on the Eastern Shore near Porters Lake with Porters Peak Adventure Getaway in Nova Scotia — Porters Peak Adventure Getaway

Surf companies offering winter surf lessons

Ask a seasoned surfer in Nova Scotia and you’ll learn surfing is not just for the summer and fall months. Take a surf lesson with a year-round surf company to discover an exhilarating new activity and, with proper gear, you’ll stay warm in the Atlantic Ocean any time of the year.

Kannon Beach Wind & Surf, operating from the MacDonald House atop the bluff between Stoney Beach and popular surf spot, Lawrencetown Provincial Park Beach, offers all the gear onsite.

Please note that surf lessons may be determined by weather and surf conditions and may need to be rescheduled day-of.

Fat Bike Tours and Rentals

Looking to explore sandy beaches in summer and snow-covered trails in winter then welcome to fat-tire biking! Fat bikes allow riders to comfortably ride on softer terrain which means four seasons of biking is possibly in Nova Scotia.

Fat Bike Tours

Local Guy Adventures will take you on a guided tour within the Cliffs of Fundy Global Geopark to discover the shoreline of the famous Bay of Fundy.

Fat Bike Rentals

Sweet Ride Cycling in Mahone Bay can get you prepared for a fat biking adventure on the Rum Runners Trail with a rental of a fat bike (or other trail bikes, depending on the season).

Fat biking at Spencers Island with Local Guy Adventures

Nova Scotia Ski Hills

Downhill ski hills are a favourite destination for winter lovers… and with four ski hills operating in Nova Scotia, you can plan winter getaways to explore a hill every weekend. Ski lessons, ski equipment and snowboard rentals may be available and/or require pre-booking – please call ahead to book.

Cape Smokey, Ingonish
Ski Ben Eoin, Ben Eoin
Ski Martock, Martock, near Windsor
Ski Wentworth, Wentworth

Places to Cross-country Ski and/or Snowshoe

While many of our trails are perfect for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, if you are looking for a guided tour or groomed trails, you can also find that here in Nova Scotia.

North Highlands Nordic Cross-Country Ski Facility is located in Cape North near Dingwall on the Cabot Trail. With over 10 km of groomed trails boasting views over Aspy Bay and the Cape Breton Highlands mountain range, enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Later, warm up in the social gathering room. Instructional clinics and rentals of skis and snowshoes are available.

North Highlands Nordic Cross-Country Ski Facility, Cape North

Helicopter & Plane Tour Packages

Have you ever seen Nova Scotia from the air? How about in winter? These exhilarating air tours showcase the landscape in an entirely different way that you’ve likely seen before. Get a bird’s eye view over Nova Scotia with one of these exciting opportunities!

Winter Horseback Riding and Sleigh Rides

Hit the trails on horseback with a certified trail guide or bundle up and relax in a sleigh as horses glide through the snowy trails.

Offering trail riding adventures year-round, discover miles of trails with a certified trail guide with Evangeline Trail Rides.
Visit Hatfield Farm Cowboy Adventures anytime of the year – but in winter, they have horse-drawn sleigh rides!
Saddle-up for a horseback trail ride or a winter sleigh ride before warming up by the campfire at Shelby Ranch.

Two horses taking a break from pulling a sleigh on a snowy day at Hatfield Farm Cowboy Adventures in Nova Scotia. — Horse-drawn sleigh ride at Hatfield Farm

Winter Sportfishing

Avid anglers will want to check out the numerous places for winter sportfishing in Nova Scotia. Beginning January 1 through March 31 each winter, try your hand at catching Speckled or Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Chain Pickerel or Yellow or White Perch throughout Nova Scotia. A license is required for winter sportfishing but don’t miss Free Fishing Weekend on Heritage Day weekend in February.

If you plan to go ice fishing in Nova Scotia, always ensure the ice is thick enough to fish safely. Refer to ice safety guidelines from the Canadian Red Cross. Read the Anglers’ Handbook for more information.