A Cozy and Crisp Guide to Winter with Doctors Manitoba
By Dr. Randy Guzman, Doctors Manitoba Board President, for Travel Manitoba
We all feel the push and pull of a Manitoba winter. We’re drawn inside for cozy comforts, protected from the elements and next we’re ready to get outside where the air is brisk, with a big blue sky overhead and the sun bouncing off the snow.
Enjoying all the season has to offer — inside and out — is important for our health and wellness. Luckily, Manitoba offers so many cozy and crisp options that are well worth our time!
As a vascular surgeon, I’ve seen what can happen when things are out of balance. Many cases with poor outcomes can be prevented and it all starts with one step. Getting healthy is about finding opportunities to move more, reduce stress, get better sleep and take care of ourselves. It’s not always easy, and if you feel you aren’t doing enough, know you are not alone.
87% of Manitobans told us they could be doing more to prevent disease and live a healthy life. Moving more reduces your risk for cancer, dementia, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis and obesity. It can help with recovering from injury and illness, reduce stress, improve your mental health, boost your self-confidence and enhance relationships.
With that said, here are just a few activities to help make the most of the season, however you choose to experience it, from the team at Doctors Manitoba.
Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg
COZY: Museum Visit
The Manitoba Museum’s exhibits tell the human and natural history of Manitoba. The First Friday of every month from 4 to 9 pm is free for general admission to the museum’s three core attractions – the Museum Galleries, Planetarium and Science Gallery.
FortWhyte Alive, Winnipeg
CRISP: Outdoor Adventure
FortWhyte Alive offers so many ways to connect with nature and one another, like during Sundays Storytelling by the Fire, guided snowshoe hikes and visits by cross-country ski with the mobile ski library. On Louis Riel Day (February 17, 2025), take part in free ice fishing, free snowshoe rentals and bannock-making. And, when you arrive at FortWhyte by sustainable active transportation like walking or biking, your admission is free!
WAG-Qaumajuq, Winnipeg
COZY: Art Gallery
WAG-Qaumajuq holds close to 14,000 pieces of Inuit art, including carvings, drawing, prints, textiles and new media. The first floor of WAG-Qaumajuq is always free to visit – and admission is always free for youth under 18 and Indigenous people. Canada Life also sponsors free Sundays at the WAG the second Sunday of every month with additional activities and exhibit tours. Track your step count through the WAG-Qaumajuq’s 120,000 square feet of space!
The Forks
CRISP: Skating the Trail
The Nestaweya River Trail at The Forks extends more than six kilometres in length, joining the frozen Red and Assiniboine rivers. Check conditions here and give the Learn to Winter activities a try! All Learn to Winter activities are free and open to the public, running each weekend (weather permitting).
Brandon
COZY: Downtown Eateries and Shops
Hang out in The Hub, Brandon’s historic downtown, with plenty of options to connect with friends at a café like Chez Angela Bakery and Café, one of the craft breweries in the area or to shop the latest home décor trends. The Brandon Farmers’ Market runs year-round in the Town Centre, too!
Brandon
CRISP: Skating the Oval
The City of Brandon’s skating oval includes warming shacks, portable washroom facilities, floodlighting, ambient music and fire pits to warm up around. See more of Brandon’s cool pursuits including great options for tobogganing, too!
Getting Healthy Challenge
No matter how you want to take on winter, don’t miss out on your chance to win! Pledge to take one step towards getting healthy to win the winter with the GettingHealthy.ca
challenge from Doctors Manitoba.
Entering is easy and the grand prize is a Churchill Adventure Trip for Two, including airfare, meals, accommodations and local adventures such as beluga viewing and fat biking tours! Check out GettingHealthy.ca to enter and for more tips from Manitoba’s expert doctors. The contest closes on February 28, 2025.