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Outdoor winter activities in Nova Scotia

5 min Read

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!

Snowmobiling and ATV/4×4/Side-by-Side

Unique places to stay (catering to snowmobilers)

Selkie’s Rest
Located near the Cape Breton Highlands snowmobile trail system in Baddeck, park your snowmobile or ATV/quad in the garage of your very own lighthouse-styled accommodation when you stay at Selkie’s Rest.

Inverary Resort
Located close to Cape Breton Highlands snowmobile trails in Baddeck, book an overnight stay and leave from the resort to hit the trails. If you don’t have your own sled – no problem! Snowmobile tours can be arranged through TNT Outdoor Adventures.

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.

Snowmobile guided tours

TNT Outdoor Adventures in Cape Breton offers spectacular year-round guided tours throughout the Cape Breton Highlands aboard their Polaris snowmobiles and side-by-sides. Snowmobile tour packages include use of top-of-the-line snowmobile footwear, apparel and helmets to ensure you stay perfectly warm while experiencing the snowy trails in the Highlands. Required permits are purchased by TNT Outdoor Adventures Inc.

Snowmobiling in the Cape Breton Highlands
Snowmobiling in the Cape Breton Highlands

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.

Surf companies offering winter surf lessons

  • 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. 

Winter surfing at Lawrencetown Beach
Winter surfing at Lawrencetown Beach

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
Fat biking at Spencers Island

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.

Nova Scotia Ski Hills

Snowboarding at Ski Ben Eoin
Snowboarding at Ski Ben Eoin

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.

Places to Cross-country Ski and/or Snowshoe

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
North Highlands Nordic Cross-Country Ski Facility, Cape North

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!

Helicopter & Plane Tour Packages

Heli-Picnic Island Escape
Heli-Picnic Island Escape

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.

Winter Horseback Riding and Sleigh Rides

  • Offering trail riding adventures year-round, discover miles of trails with a certified trail guide with Evangeline Trail Rides.
  • Discover what life was like on a family farm over 100 years ago in Nova Scotia when you visit Ross Farm Museum and in the winter months, be sure to enjoy a sleigh ride on the onsite nature trail.
  • Saddle-up for a horseback trail ride or a winter sleigh ride before warming up by the campfire at Shelby Ranch.
Horse drawn sleigh at Ross Farm Museum
Horse drawn sleigh at Ross Farm Museum

Learn from the locals

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