Pursuing Winter Adventure in New Brunswick
Embracing the cold.
With more snowfall than any other place in the Maritimes and the welcoming warmth of Acadian hospitality, winter in New Brunswick is special. The beauty of snow-covered forests and frosty activities like pond hockey tourneys, fat biking, skiing, and dark sky stargazing ensure that outdoor enthusiasts will strike snow white gold in the province this winter.
World Pond Hockey Championships
Described as an “ice hockey player’s trip to mecca,” the annual World Pond Hockey Championships take place in the small community of Plaster Rock from February 19-22 this year. It’s a large-scale, fun-filled heated rivalry, New Brunswick-style. Twenty smooth, rectangular ice sheets are formed on frozen Roulston Lake as 120 teams plus the ladies division from Canada, the United States, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean battle in fierce competition and enthusiastic celebration of classic Canadian shinny. Cheering on the men and women chasing pucks for pond hockey supremacy in quick-fire four-on-four action is more fun that you can shake a (hockey) stick at.
Make tracks
Acres of sugar-dusted pine forests, national parks, and urban spaces lend themselves to limitless opportunities for winter walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Kouchibouguac National Park may have the warmest ocean waters north of Virginia, but in winter, its groomed trails and snow-covered woods are perfect for heart-pumping cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Bring a thermos of hot soup to enjoy in the cozy ambiance of the wood-fired warming hut, and keep watch for the tracks of river otters, hare, and moose also making their mark in the landscape. Close to Saint John, slip on spikes and set off for a brisk hike along the six-kilometre Williams Trail overlooking the Bay of Fundy and Cape Spencer Lighthouse.
Into the woods
New Brunswick is home to more than 8,000 kilometres of groomed snowmobiling trails that crisscross snow-covered meadows, frozen lakes, and scenic wooded glades. In the north are trails through Bathurst, Campbellton, Edmundston, and the Acadian Peninsula, about 1,500 kilometres’ worth. To catch a view of the tallest mountain in the Maritimes, look to the 500 kilometres of trails in the Christmas Mountains near Mount Carleton Provincial Park. Feel the wind in your face while sledding along the Miramichi and the Saint John Rivers (including the Historic Highlands Signature Trail Network), all the way to the Fundy Highlands to enjoy incredible coastal views. Note: Trail permits may be required.
Fat’s phat
The chubby tires of two-wheeled fat bikes, regular or an e-bike version, are ideal for tackling New Brunswick’s woodland and mountain bike networks, conquering trails that skinny summer tires can’t manage in the winter months. The fat bike’s larger, knobby tires make it easier to navigate the ride on hard-packed and groomed snow trails, and riders can lower tire pressure to increase traction when conditions warrant. Some great winter biking trails can be found in Rockwood Park in Saint John, Mactaquac Provincial Park near Fredericton, and Kouchibouguac National Park. While it may be tempting to hit the trails after a fresh snowfall, it’s best to wait until groomers or snowshoe hikers pack the snow. Bike tracks should not sink more than 2.5 centimetres deep to minimize trail damage and increase cycling ease.
Dark Sky magic
The dry air and long nights of a New Brunswick winter create dark-sky magic for unforgettable evenings of celestial appreciation. The province is home to some of the best astro-tourism in North America, with three official Dark-Sky Preserves: Mount Carleton Provincial Park, Fundy National Park, and Kouchibouguouac National Park. This year, stargazers can see several significant planetary and meteoritic movements as well as lunar and solar eclipses, including potential viewing of a partial solar eclipse in August. In 2026, New Brunswick welcomes the Bay of Fundy Dark Sky Corridor, an exciting initiative to designate the highest concentration of Dark Sky Places in the world. Two-thirds of the six certified destinations in the corridor will be finished this year, with full completion expected in 2027. Book a Star Party with Stephane Picard of Cliff Valley Astronomy, Canada’s only astro-tourism consultant and one of the most friendly and knowledgeable guides to interpreting the magnificent night skies.
