Nova Scotia Winter Activities | Skiing, Snowshoeing & Adventures

Featured Winter Activities in Nova Scotia

Cape Smokey

Skiing & Snowshoeing

Ride the gondola at Cape Smokey and snowshoe the trails or ski down from the top with an incredible view of the Atlantic Ocean
Discover 25 alpine trails, 10kms of cross-country trails, terrain park, aerials and moguls sites at Ski Wentworth
Cross-country ski or snowshoe in northern Cape Breton at North Highlands Nordic
Less than an hour from Halifax, hit the slopes at Ski Martock

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Truro’s Civic Square ice rink

Outdoor Skating

Enjoy free public ice skating in the heart of Halifax at the Emera Oval. Skates and helmets are available for use onsite at no charge
Skate in Truro’s Civic Square outdoor ice rink, open from dawn to dusk and with no charge
Surround yourself with mountain views when skating at the Ingonish Outdoor Rink

Outdoor winter activities in Nova Scotia

TNT Outdoor Adventures

Snowmobile, Side by Side, and ATV touring

Experience breathtaking views of mountain plateaus in the Cape Breton Highlands on guided side-by-side and snowmobile tours with TNT Outdoor Adventures
Get your adrenaline pumping on a guided ATV adventure near Halifax with Porters Peak Adventure Getaway! As night falls, relax in front of the fireplace in your cozy eco-cabin. ATV and SXS rentals also available.
Rent a snowmobile or SideXSide from Highland Powersport Rentals in Baddeck to explore the Highlands on a self-guided adventure
Bring your own snowmobile, side-by-side, or ATV to explore the groomed Celtic Shores Coastal Trail, Rum Runners Trail, or Harvest Moon Trailway

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Local Guy Adventures

Fat Biking

Bike on the ocean floor and explore waterfalls and canyons in the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark on guided tours with Local Guy Adventures
With over 30kms of trails for all skill levels, Keppoch Mountain is a 4-season destination for outdoor adventure, including fat biking, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing
Pick up a fat bike from Sweet Ride Cycling to explore the Rum Runners Trail, a 119km multi-use trail from Halifax to Lunenburg

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Hatfield Farm Cowboy Adventures

Horseback and Sleigh Rides

Offering trail riding adventures year-round, discover miles of trails with a certified trail guide with Evangeline Trail Rides
Visit Hatfield Farm on select Saturdays and Sundays year-round for their Family Round Up event where staff will guide you on either a horse-drawn wagon journey or a sleighride during the snowy months that both kids and kids-at-heart will love
Saddle-up for a horseback trail ride or a winter sleigh ride before warming up by the campfire at Shelby Ranch

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Winter Activity Packages

Maple Adventure: Jeep Tour & Taste

$150/Per Person

Sweeten up your Cabot Trail adventure with an exciting on/off-road Jeep tour of the Margaree Valley, with guided maple grove tour and syrup tasting.

Cape Breton Backcountry Adventures
North East Margaree
January 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026

Side by Side SXS UTV rental from Highland Powersport Rentals in Baddeck, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Explore the Cape Breton Highlands with a Snowmobile or SXS UTV Rental

Explore the Cape Breton Highlands by snowmobile in the winter or year-round with a Side-by-Side UTV from Highland Powersport Rentals in Baddeck.

Highland Powersport Rentals
Baddeck
October 15, 2025 – October 14, 2026

Beachfront Stay & Clam Digging

$650/Per Couple

Dig into adventure on a 2-night beachfront escape, clam-digging by day, and the freshest seafood feast by night.

Seaside Cottages at Ginger Hill
Lockeport
February 1, 2026 – May 1, 2026

Drone view of Sidanna Retreat: Mystical Beachfront Retreat in the Cape Breton Highlands in winter in Nova Scotia.

Nordic Ski, Spa & Sauna Family Getaway

$1,199/Per Family*

Treat your family to an oceanfront getaway of hot tub relaxing, beach exploring & Nordic skiing or snowshoeing in the northern Cape Breton Highlands!

Sidanna Retreat
Sugarloaf
December 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026

A person stands outside a dome during fall. The dome sits on a wooden platform and the person is in a white robe.

Luxury Riverview Dome Relax + Adventure Photo Session

$450/Starting Price • Per Person

Make and capture the best memories of your adventure during a 1-night dome getaway with a guided hike, led by a professional photographer!

FlowEdge Riverside Getaway
Elderbank
August 18, 2025 – December 31, 2026

Guided ATV and SXS Tours with Porters Peak

$159 – $199/Starting Price • Per Person

Get your adrenaline pumping on a high energy ATV or SXS guided tour on wooded and rugged trails near Halifax with Porters Peak!

Porters Peak
Porter’s Lake
October 15, 2025 – October 14, 2026

A person surfs a large wave during sunset. The sky is golden.

Surf & Stay at Nalu Retreat

$415/Per Person

Soak in the lake views from your 4-season geodesic dome, near Halifax and feel the thrill of catching waves during a private surfing lesson.

Nalu Retreat
Porter’s Lake
January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026

River Ridge Lodge Friends Getaway

$793

Gather your friends for a 2-night riverside getaway. Recharge in nature and indulge in delicious charcuterie, craft beer tasting, and local dining.

River Ridge Lodge
Martin’s River
May 15, 2026 – October 10, 2026

A group fat biking on the sand near the water in Spencer's Island during the winter.

Bike the Fundy Coast Tour

$75/Per Person

Take in stunning Bay of Fundy views as you fat bike on the ocean floor, with an expert local guide, in the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark!

Local Guy Adventures
Spencer’s Island
January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Winter is a prime time to explore Nova Scotia’s great outdoors, from skiing to skating and snowshoeing to surfing, winter weather doesn’t put a damper on getting outside and experiencing the great outdoors.

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Highland Powersport Rentals

Open year-round

Cape Breton Island, Baddeck

Read More The Google rating is 5
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Victoria Park

Open year-round

Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Truro

Read More The Google rating is 4.8
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Ski Ben Eoin

From December 15 to March 30

Cape Breton Island, Ben Eoin

Read More The Google rating is 4.7
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Powells Point Provincial Park

From May 17 to October 14

Northumberland Shore, Little Harbour (New Glasgow area)

Read More The Google rating is 4.6
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Beaver Mountain Provincial Park

From May 17 to October 14

Northumberland Shore, Beaver Mountain

Read More The Google rating is 4.5
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Bell Bay Golf Club

Open seasonally (May, June, July, August, September, October)

Cape Breton Island, Baddeck

Read More The Google rating is 4.4
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Shearwater Flyer Trail

Open year-round

Halifax Metro, Shearwater

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Ingonish Outdoor Rink – Smokey Recreation Society

From December 17 to March 31

Cape Breton Island, Ingonish

Read More The Google rating is 5
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TNT Outdoor Adventures

Open year-round

Cape Breton Island, Baddeck

Read More The Google rating is 4.9
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Celtic Shores Coastal Trail

Open year-round

Cape Breton Island, Port Hastings (Ceilidh Trail)

Read More The Google rating is 4.6
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Local Guy Adventures

Open year-round

Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Spencer’s Island

Read More The Google rating is 5
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Cape Smokey

Open year-round

Cape Breton Island, Ingonish Beach

Read More The Google rating is 4.3