Play hard, reward yourself: This city is your gateway to winter adventure

There’s so much more to Ontario than just the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). An entire region exists surrounded by lush forests and sparkling lakes, along with people steeped in hardy roots and a rich history. In that region, nestled on the shores of Lake Superior, is Thunder Bay—a city full of history, one-of-a-kind foods, exciting culture, and winter thrills you won’t find anywhere else in Ontario.

Northern Ontario is known for its cold and snowy winters, and Thunder Bay is truly the embodiment of that. But don’t worry, the amount of activities available make it easy to forget about the cold (plus visiting a traditional Finnish sauna helps, too).

From exploring Sleeping Giant Provincial Park to visiting the ‘Niagara of the North,’ northern adventure is everywhere if you know where to look. And if you don’t, no worries! VisitThunderBay.ca will provide you with a full itinerary of adventures to try and places to go.

Snowkiting, fat biking, and waterfront nights

Did you know that many summer sports have winter counterparts? In Thunder Bay, you don’t have to wait until the ice is gone to sail across the lake—just go snowkiting instead!

Snowkiting combines skiing and snowboarding with sailing and windsurfing to give you the freedom to explore Lake Superior’s shores in an exciting style. Luckily, you won’t need to bring your own equipment, either. Rentals are available at Superior Kiteboarding for anyone looking to surf the ice.

(Credit: Tourism Thunder Bay)

If mountain biking is more your style, then look no further than fat biking through 22 kilometres of groomed trails in the boreal forest, including along the Kaministiquia River, which feeds into the beautiful Kakabeka Falls (known among locals as the Niagara of the North). The wide tires on fat bikes make it easy to tread over the snow, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally making any impromptu snow angels.

If you’re looking for a calmer adventure after hitting the ice and trails, Lake Superior’s waterfront offers plenty in the way of great dining and nightlife.

Enjoy some local fine dining that rivals even Toronto’s food scene while you visit the waterfront at Bight Restaurant and Bar. After, you can head on over to The Foundry—one of Thunder Bay’s top spots for music and drinks. With locally-crafted beers on tap, this is where you’ll find northwestern Ontario comfort at its finest.

Try your luck at ice fishing before hitting the slopes

Winter adventure comes in different forms and doesn’t always need to be fast-paced. Try slowing down and unwinding with one of northwestern Ontario’s favourite winter pastimes: ice fishing.

Local guides at Bear Trak Outfitters will bring you to a heated hut on the lake so you can try your luck fishing for perch, pike, or walleye (that’s what we call pickerel) beneath the ice. Ice fishing is a great way to relax…that is, until a fish bites your hook. Nothing beats the thrill of reeling in a fish—bonus points if it puts up a fight and if you can eat it later!

Hit the slopes and enjoy the view at Thunder Bay’s ski hills. (Credit: Tourism Thunder Bay)

After a laid-back morning of fishing, you can jump back into fast-paced action by hitting the slopes by visiting one of Thunder Bay’s two ski hills: Loch Lomond and Mount Baldy. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, both hills offer snow tubing lanes, which beats a magic carpet any day. Loch Lomond also offers snowshoe rentals, so you can hike through the snowy forest with ease.

(Credit: Nook Restaurant)

Afterward, reward yourself with an Italian-style dinner at Nook, located in the city’s historic Bay & Algoma Neighbourhood, which specializes in handmade pasta dishes and pizzas made from locally-grown ingredients.

And while you’re out, why not end the night with some drinks at Barkeep for some high-end classic and original drinks crafted by some of Thunder Bay’s most skilled bartenders.

Climb towers of ice and indulge in local delicacies

Did you know that Thunder Bay is home to some of Ontario’s best ice climbing? Driving in from Nipigon, you’ll quickly see why—towering rock walls formed from the Canadian Shield can be found along Highway 11/17, as well as deep within the city’s surrounding forests. Many of these rock walls happen to leak out freshwater that freezes in the winter, creating the perfect challenge for thrill-seekers to conquer.

Scale frozen cliffs with Outdoor Skills and Thrills. (Credit: Tourism Thunder Bay)

Despite how daunting the frozen cliffs and waterfalls may look, no experience is needed when it comes to learning from the expert guides at Outdoor Skills and Thrills. They make sure beginners know how to use crampons and ice tools to scale the icy walls and feel on top of the world.

But climbing towering ice pillars can work up an appetite—luckily, there is no shortage of local foods, sweet treats, and craft brews to sample.

If you’re looking for a sweet treat to reward yourself after working up a sweat, check out The Sweet North or Swell Bakery. Both bakeries are locally-owned and specialize in savoury and sweet pastries that are sure to satisfy whatever you’re craving.

Sweet treats from Swell Bakery. (Credit: Culinary Tourism Alliance)

Speaking of pastries, you absolutely cannot visit Thunder Bay without trying persians—a heavenly hybrid between donut and cinnamon rolls topped with iconic pink icing that you can only find at The Persian Man. Is the icing strawberry or raspberry flavour? Try for yourself and weigh in on the debate that has divided locals for decades.

Indulging doesn’t just have to be food, either. Northwestern Ontario is actually home to several craft breweries, with Thunder Bay having three: Lakehead Beer Co., Dawson Trail Craft Brewery, and Prospector Brew House. Each brewery brings a taste of the north to your glass and will prove that you don’t need to go to Niagara or Muskoka to find your next favourite craft brew.

No matter what you’re looking for in a winter adventure, Thunder Bay will have it. Here, you don’t need to sacrifice big-city amenities to experience nature and thrills—you can have both! So grab your toque and a warm drink from Thunder Bay’s own St. Paul Roastery or Rose N Crantz Roasting Co., northwestern winter adventure is waiting for you!