Ottawa Travel Forum

Hi,
I've just returned from a week's holiday in Toronto which was superb.
I've now got the Canada bug so am looking to come to Ottawa for the week before christmas as have been told Canada in the winter is awesome.

My question is based on Ottawan's experiences, do you think it will be too snow bound to actually go and see anything? (I'm not a skiier unfortunately!)
I'm looking at visiting the Rideau Canal, Parliament Hill, doing a city tour by bus etc.

Any advice greatly appreciated.
Simon.

Ottawa and Quebec City are very Winter Tourism oriented. Either will work for Your Chrismas break trip.

Ottawa will not be snow bound to an extent that you cannot go anywhere. However expect snow and cold weather.Then agian you may catch a big snow fall . The Rideau Canal will be frozen so there is not much to see . If you could take your trip between approx. Feb 6 tp 22 you can catch the Ottawa "Winterlude ".At that time they water the Canal to make it skateable. If you cannot skate you can try to learn.

If you want to see Canada in its full winter glory, December is a bit too early. You may get lucky and have snow but you are just as likely to have just cold, gloomy weather with no snow. Plus, the Rideau Canal, which is a wonderful experience, is almost never open for winter skating at that time. I think it's been open for Xmas once in the last 10 years.

You may want to wait until January to get the full winter experience. Or, choose instead to visit Quebec City. It is further north and colder so you will likely see full winter in December. Plus, the food, architecture and ambiance are much nicer than Ottawa. Ottawa is a conservative government town. It's quite boring in my opinion. It's not really much of a walking city. Quebec, on the other hand, has a European flare.

I too would wait until January/February as skating on the Rideau Canal is amazing. Where else in the world can you eat Maple Taffe and Beaver Tails whilst on a frozen canal...Should you choose to go to Quebec, Montreal is mostly certainly worth a visit although as other members have said Quebec City is a must also. I most certainly recommend Valcartier which is not far from Quebec City if you fancy hitting some slopes whilst in a rubber ring. http://www.valcartier.com/page.aspx?GP=223&SID=241&LA=EN
If you stick with Ottawa you wont be disappointed at all. A truly amazing place no matter what the Weather...

How about trying cross-country skiing? It's not as dramatic as downhill or as expensive - it's more like taking a walk (or stagger at the beginning!) in the snow. Equipment - boots, skiis, poles - can often be rented at parks/ conservation areas. We used to rent/ski at a local conservation area until we bought our own stuff then went further afield. Not living in Ottawa, I don't have any info. as to where rentals/trails are but if you're interested you could try a post nearer the time of your visit to see if anyone has info.

I'm not really sure what the hours are like for the main indoor attractions during the winter. All the national museums will of course be open, but I'm not sure about Parliament (which would be in session) or Rideau Hall. Keep in mind, a "real Canadian winter" sounds more romantic than it is. Ottawa is one of the coldest national capitals in the world, with possible -40 degree celcius days (including wind chill). That being said, this past winter was quite mild... it was actually pretty nice.

But skating on the canal is a must, as is maple taffee and a Beavertail as you walk around the Byward Market. Everyone else is right, if you come in December it will just be grey and sludgey.

Quebec City is certainly beautiful, but after you've walked around the Old Town there isn't much to do, not many worthwhile attractions aside from shopping.