Discover the magic of winter on Prince Edward Island with our guide to enchanting seasonal activities. From thrilling outdoor adventures like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing to cozy indoor cultural experiences, explore the island’s hidden gems in the colder months.
Better known for its endless summer days and kilometres of sandy beaches, it turns out the home of Anne of Green Gables is also a blast in the winter months.
A unique cold weather escape, Prince Edward Island’s winter sees its serene landscapes transform into a frosty playground. The cold weather months unveil one of Canada’s hidden winter gems, from cross-country skiing, incredible PEI restaurants, and the island’s most famous attractions, all without the crowds.
Winter on Prince Edward Island offers a completely unique take on this popular road trip destination. There are activities that cater to every taste and age group. Whether you’re an adventure enthusiast, a family looking for wholesome fun, or a couple seeking a romantic escape, PEI’s winter wonderland has something special in store for everyone.
When the island’s advertising says, ‘Warm up to Winter,’ they make it easy to do so.
City of Summerside
We started our Prince Edward Island winter visit in the city of Summerside, the island’s second-largest city. Checking into the modern and super-efficient Microtel. This convenient, central hotel is attached to Credit Union Place, where hotel guests are welcome to use the gym facilities as well as borrow winter gear such as skates or snowshoes to use at Rotary Friendship Park.
Rotary Friendship Park is a popular mountain biking spot in Summerside. During the winter, the park’s trails are groomed for snowy fat biking.
Summerside also has a lovely waterfront multi-use trail that offers beautiful views of the bay even in the dead of winter.
Dinner that night was at the charming Evermore Brewing Dining & Craft Beer located in Summerside’s train station. The warm interior and live local entertainment provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere away from the cold weather outside. The experience was topped by a very tasty meal made with fresh, local island ingredients.
Of course, you wouldn’t expect anything less from a province known as “Canada’s Food Island.” This tiny province punches well above its weight in quality dining options all year round. It’s home to the Fireworks Feast, one of the most unique dining experiences in the country.
Kensington
For breakfast the next day, we headed to the nearby community of Kensington, where the charming and quirky C&B Corner Cafe, also known for using the freshest local ingredients for its breakfasts and lunches, served up amazing coffee and fuel for the upcoming outdoor cross-country skiing adventures at Arendz Provincial Ski Park, which hosted the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
Under a crisp blue sky, we glide over a base of snow that has been freshly groomed to make it easy for even amateurs to have a great outing on cross-country skis at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park in Brookvale. This outdoor paradise, located about 30 minutes outside of Summerside on Prince Edward Island, is a premier winter destination in PEI.
The site has 24.5 kilometres of groomed recreational ski trails, as well as the option to fat bike or snowshoes deep into the woods. And if Alpine skiing is more your thing, the province’s only downhill ski hill with a 250-foot vertical drop is just down the road at Brookvale Alpine.
Named after the decorated Paralympian Mark Arendz, the ski park offers a haven for snow enthusiasts. The park boasts well-maintained facilities and gorgeous views year-round and offers a wonderful escape for those seeking outdoor winter experiences on Prince Edward Island.
After a vigorous outing on the cross-country skis – with all the skiing, fat biking, or snowshoeing gear available for rental – we headed toward the capital city of Charlottetown.
Charlottetown
En route to Charlottetown, we stopped at Lone Oak Brew Pub at the Milky Way. The Milky Way is a collection of shops along the Trans-Canada Highway in North River that includes Anne’s Chocolates and Cow’s Creamery. The Lone Oak Brew Pub served up a fantastic lunch with a meal made with the freshest ingredients.
We started our Charlottetown visit by checking into the historic boutique Great George Hotel. This beautifully appointed hotel features spacious rooms and modern amenities. Don’t miss the late afternoon freshly baked cookies that the hotel is famous for.
Located in downtown Charlottetown, the Great George Hotel also gets in on the winter action by loaning out snowshoes to guests. We used them the next morning at nearby Victoria Park, the city’s sprawling waterfront park.
During the winter months, Victoria Park’s blend of meticulously manicured gardens, meandering walking trails, and open green spaces transform to include seasonal activities such as ice skating, snowshoe trails, and friendly snowball fights.
For those who love to strap on the blades, there is also an outdoor skating rink at nearby Founder’s Food Hall and Market in Charlottetown.
That night, we were treated to an amazing meal that included fresh oysters, which the island is so famous for being our top priority.
Given that we were right downtown, we had a multitude of dining options but chose the cozy Claddagh Oyster House, just one of many restaurants in Charlottetown that make shellfish and other seafood the star of the show. Don’t worry, meat-eaters; the island also produces some of the best beef east of Alberta.
St. Peter’s Bay
After being fortified the next morning by the included breakfast at the Great George, we hit the road for the town of St. Peter’s Bay, where we checked into Mysa Nordic Spa and Retreat, the island’s first and only Nordic spa that overlooks the bay.
With 17 on-site cottages, it’s easy to stay and play at this beautiful spa and wellness centre. We enjoyed a few rounds of the spa’s Nordic thermal circuit, which includes hot, cold, and rest features. We also loved the gazebo that had a roaring wood fire just steps away from the saunas and pools.
The food at the Mysa Nordic Spa is also amazing, from the delicious charcuterie board we devoured between rounds of the thermal circuit in what they call “The Den.” This relaxation area has a roaring fire and casual nooks for lounging. There’s also a more upscale restaurant where we enjoyed dinner later in the evening.
We finished off our stay with a filling breakfast at the spa. And after an amazing few days I’ll be back to experience winter in Prince Edward Island this time next year.
More Great Winter Activities In Prince Edward Island
WinterDine – Charlottetown
Situated in downtown Charlottetown, Winterdine celebrates the province’s food culture. There are 20 restaurants across town offering three-course dining options for $35 to $55 and two-course menus for $12 to $20.
This Charlottetown winter food festival runs from late January to early February. It’s a great way to get out and experience the local culinary scene at a great price.
Winter Warmth Festival – Summerside
The Winter Warmth Festival runs in late January in Summerside, PEI. This winter festival is designed to help residents and visitors embrace the PEI winter months. There are culinary events, moonlight snowshoe trails, ice skating, fat biking, live entertainment, and events on the coastal shores.
Professional Sports – Charlottetown
There may not be big league sports such as the NHL or NBA in Prince Edward Island, but the province’s Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown is home to the Charlottetown Islanders of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League and the Summerside Capitals that are part of the Maritime Junior A Hockey circuit.
Mill River Resort – Woodstock
Mill River Resort in the town of Woodstock, PEI, hosts a wealth of outdoor winter activities for PEI residents and visitors. Among the many things to do at Mill River Resort are snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, outdoor skating, and downhill tubing.
Prince Edward Island National Park
Rated among the best places to visit in Prince Edward Island, PEI National Park is a wonderful place to experience winter on the island. Enjoy the park’s scenic lighthouse set amidst a bed of snow and enjoy hiking or snowshoeing among the snow-covered trees.
Snowmobile the Confederation Trail
One of the top Prince Edward Island winter activities is snowmobiling. During the winters, 435 kilometres of the famous Confederation Trail are groomed for snowmobiling. You can ride the entire distance of the province along this route. You can pick up Confederation Trail permits throughout the island.
Are You Ready To Embrace Winter In Prince Edward Island?
Prince Edward Island is a magical destination during the winter months. Avoid the crowds and experience the island in an entirely new light. I hope that these tips for experiencing winter in PEI help you plan a wonderful visit for yourself.
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Pat Lee is a travel writer who loves to explore the world in all of its seasons, often on two wheels. Living on the East Coast, she especially loves poking around her own region.