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

Two horses pulling a wagon down a path with rows of grapevines around them and water in the distance

Horse-Drawn Vineyard Tour

$25 – $50/Per Person

Explore the organic, biodynamic Home Farm Vineyard on a guided Clydesdale-drawn carriage ride with delicious house-made chips & dips at the winery.

Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards
Lower Wolfville
October 4, 2025 – April 1, 2026

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

5 snowmobiles drive on a snow filled trail in winter in Cape Breton.

TNT’s 1 day Snowmobile Tour and 2 nights at the Inverary Resort

$1,560.00/Starting Price • Per Couple

Experience winter in the Cape Breton Highlands on a TNT Outdoor Adventures snowmobile tour with 2 nights at the Inverary Resort in Baddeck.

TNT Outdoor Adventures
Baddeck
December 15, 2025 – April 1, 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

Two people sit on snowmobiles in front of Inverary Resort.

Super Sledder’s Getaway

$329/Starting Price • Per Couple

Head to Cape Breton for a snowmobile adventure, complete with cozy stay and breakfast at the full-service Inverary Resort, on the Bras d'Or Lake.

Inverary Resort
Baddeck
January 2, 2026 – April 5, 2026

Ski and Stay at Inverary Resort

$429/Starting Price • Per Couple

On this 2-night getaway, ski Cape Smokey on the renowned Cabot Trail and relax at the full-service Inverary Resort, on the Bras d’Or Lake.

Inverary Resort
Baddeck
January 2, 2026 – March 31, 2026

A group of snowmobilers are stopped by the edge of a cliff. Everything is covered in snow and it is very picturesque.

TNT’s Cape Breton Highlands Snowmobile Tour

$565/Starting Price • Per Person

Re-discover winter fun on a guided snowmobiling tour in the Cape Breton Highlands with TNT Outdoor Adventures.

TNT Outdoor Adventures
Baddeck
December 15, 2025 – April 1, 2026

Three people with fat bikes stand outside of an accommodation on snow.

Seek Adventure: Bike & Stay

$530 – $750/Starting Price • Per Couple

Escape to nature with a two-night stay in a yurt or cabin, fat bike rentals, local snacks, and access to Truro’s Victoria Park.

SEEK Wilderness Accommodations
Truro
December 1, 2025 – April 1, 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 Adventure Getaway!

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

Snow Much Fun on the Cabot Trail

$568/Starting Price • Per Couple

Embrace the magic of winter on the Cabot Trail! Explore stunning coastal and woodland trails, relax in the hot tub and savour onsite meals.

Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort
Indian Brook
November 21, 2025 – March 21, 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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Chestico Trail (part of Celtic Shores Coastal Trail)

Open year-round

Cape Breton Island, Port Hood

Read More The Google rating is 4.6
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Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail – Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site

Open year-round

Cape Breton Island, Louisbourg

Read More The Google rating is 4.8
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Emera Oval

Open year-round

Halifax Metro, Halifax

Read More The Google rating is 4.7
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Earltown Lake and Portage Trail – Cape to Cape Trail

Open year-round

Northumberland Shore, Earltown

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Salt Marsh Trail – Trans Canada Trail

Open year-round

Halifax Metro, Cole Harbour (Halifax/Dartmouth area)

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Woods Harbour Trail

Open year-round

South Shore, Lower Woods Harbour

Read More The Google rating is 4.6
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Guysborough Waterfront Trail

Open year-round

Eastern Shore, Guysborough

Read More The Google rating is 5
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Aspotogan Trail (part of Rum Runners Trail)

Open year-round

South Shore, Hubbards

Read More The Google rating is 4.6
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Mainland North Trail

Open year-round

Halifax Metro, Halifax

Read More The Google rating is 4.8
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Rum Runners Trail

Open year-round

Halifax Metro, Halifax

Read More The Google rating is 4.5
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Partridge Island Lookoff and Hiking Trail

Open year-round

Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, Parrsboro

Read More The Google rating is 4.8
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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