After a five-year hiatus, Ice Castles returns to Edmonton in a new downtown location at Fan Park in January 2026. This awe-inspiring attraction will feature frozen tunnels, archways, caverns, slides, and a one-acre playground—sculpted entirely from ice. Guests can explore hand-placed icicle formations, race down ice slides, and crawl through icy passageways in one of Edmonton’s most enchanting winter experiences.

From January 17–28, 2026, Deep Freeze: A Byzantine Winter Festival brings the Alberta Avenue District to life with ice sculptures, art, dance, and culinary experiences inspired by Ukrainian, French-Canadian, and Indigenous cultures. The family-friendly celebration showcases Edmonton’s diversity through creative storytelling and interactive winter activities.

Winterruption YEG follows from January 21–25, 2026, filling downtown venues with live performances spanning music, comedy, and art. Known for its inclusive and energetic atmosphere, the festival will feature artists including Nap Eyes, Reignwolf, Dead Ghosts, and The Secret Beach, creating an engaging mid-winter celebration for all.

From January 28–31, 2026, Flying Canoë Volant will illuminate Mill Creek Ravine and Edmonton’s French Quarter with installations and performances inspired by the legend of the Flying Canoe and Métis, First Nations, and French Canadian traditions. The event invites visitors to experience Edmonton’s cultural history under the stars in one of the city’s most scenic settings.

The season continues with the Silver Skate Festival, taking place February 6–16, 2026, in Laurier Park. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, Edmonton’s longest-running winter festival combines arts, culture, recreation, and sport. Visitors can skate along the park’s frozen pathways, view the Snow Sculpture Garden, explore the Folk Trail, and enjoy a full schedule of outdoor programming at this free ten-day event.

From February 13–15, 2026, the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival invites skiers of all levels to take part in one of Canada’s most storied Nordic skiing events. The annual loppet honours the spirit of endurance and adventure, drawing participants from across the country to experience the exhilaration of cross-country skiing in Alberta’s winter landscape.

The winter season concludes with the UIAA Ice Climbing World Championships & YEG Ice Fest from February 27–March 1, 2026, at Louise McKinney Park. This major international competition will feature elite athletes scaling an 18-metre climbing structure, alongside community challenges, clinics, gear demos, and a winter market.

Together, these festivals underscore Edmonton’s commitment to embracing the season and creating experiences that celebrate art, sport, and cultural connection. For more information about Edmonton’s winter festivals and events, visit ExploreEdmonton.com/festivalcity.

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Now through March, business travelers can look forward to rejuvenating morning wellness offerings from Tuesday through Thursday. Tuesdays begins with an invigorating guided run along Vancouver’s iconic seawall, offering fresh air and scenic harbor views to energize the day ahead. Wednesdays invite a slower start with Yoga, Stretching & Sound Meditation — a serene session blending mindful movement and calming soundscapes to restore balance. The week culminates on Thursday with a second guided run, perfect for guests looking to stay active and connect with Vancouver’s beautiful waterfront surroundings.

Following the success of Soothe & Savour, Candlelit Soundscapes & Supper will offer attendees an opportunity to reconnect with their sense of self through an immersive evening of calming sound meditation paired with nourishing coastal-inspired cuisine. Attendees can expect a restorative sound bath meditation by candlelight, followed by the opportunity to enjoy ARC Restaurant’s signature Province to Plate menu.

For those seeking a refreshing reset, Fairmont Waterfront is offering an invigorating Polar Plunge experience, re-launching this November and continuing into the new year. Led by the hotel’s very own CEO (Chill Experience Officer) Jodi Francks, participants will take a guided cold dip at Third Beach in Stanley Park before returning to the hotel for hot tea, warm towels, and a celebratory hot toddy, finished with the comforting dishes of ARC’s well-renowned bottomless brunch.

Beyond the twice weekly runs, year-round wellness offerings for ALL members will continue to include the opportunity to borrow complimentary fitness wear – including shoes – through the Fairmont Fit program, and use of the rooftop pool, open daily and heated throughout the year. Complimentary cruiser bikes continue to be available free of charge for ALL members, offering an easy and eco-friendly way to discover Stanley Park and the surrounding waterfront.

“Being steps from the ocean and Stanley Park inspires us to design experiences that reflect the calm, vitality, and natural beauty of Vancouver’s coast,” said Randall Williams, General Manager of Fairmont Waterfront. “This new chapter in wellness is our way of inviting guests and locals to embrace the season by the water, and to leave feeling restored by the very environment that surrounds us.”

With wellness woven into every detail, Fairmont Waterfront is establishing itself as a sanctuary for wellness-minded travelers year-round.

For more information, including how to book these experiences, visit the hotel’s website: https://www.fairmont-waterfront.com/explore/events-calendar/

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Located in Halifax, the rapidly growing coastal city in Atlantic Canada, the new 160-room hotel is easily accessible to Halifax’s vibrant downtown scene and just steps away from a lively mix of great shopping, spas, galleries, parks, concert venues, and sporting attractions.

“As we continue to grow our global portfolio, introducing the spirited Moxy brand to Canada with the opening of Moxy Halifax Downtown is a milestone we are excited to celebrate,” said Matthew Boettcher, Vice President of Distinctive Select Brand Portfolio, Marriott International. “Halifax is a city full of energy, culture, and diversity, making it the perfect destination for a brand like Moxy.” 

Architecture, Design + Amenities
The design of the main lobby pays homage to industrial Halifax, with steel bridge columns flanking the bar area, exposed brick, and an original cannon. It also features a custom-built DJ booth and an installation of vintage luggage as a nod to the city’s global influences. Among the hotel’s notable details is a stately steel lion sculpture, a reference to the Nova Scotia flag, installed at the hotel entrance and created by local firm, Ballast Design Studios. A hidden room, the ‘Lion’s Den’, is a modern dedication to the Trinty Anglican Church on the original site and features stained glass replicas and pipes from the original organ suspended from the ceiling.

The perfect combination of function and fun, the hotel features smart and unique guestroom layouts, including 18 suites with an open kitchen. The industrial-chic bedrooms combine functionality and flexibility with edgy detail. Cleverly designed to maximize space, the rooms feature modular furniture including Moxy’s signature Stellar Works foldable workspace desks and chairs, as well as smart features like peg walls to allow guests the flexibility to adapt the room to their needs. Tech-savvy touches include motion-activated LED lights, keyless entry, 55-inch flat-screen TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi help, in addition to a retro phone where guests can listen to a themed bedtime story to doze off in style. For fitness, guests can access a boxing bag, gym equipment, and a full-circuit gym, available 24/7.

Eat, Drink + Play
Staking a place in Halifax’s iconic food and beverage community, Moxy Halifax Downtown’s new drinking and small plate dining concepts are unpretentious and laid-back yet still modern and stylish – creating a new destination for Halifax’s vibrant social scene. Bar Moxy is a haven for working and connecting during the day and transforms into a social hub in the evening. Partnering with local brands including rotating taps and a wine-o-matic to feature local wineries, guests can choose from an extensive list of cocktails, wines, and local brews. For guests looking for quality and convenience, Moxy Pick-Ups offers 24/7 grab-and-go snacks and drinks.

Meetings + Events
For events and corporate gatherings, the hotel will offer 1,520 square feet of open, airy meeting space as well as a boardroom and several private meeting rooms. There are also plenty of stylish communal spaces where guests can relax and recharge.

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“It’s clear that people’s desire to travel, whether internationally or domestically, is not slowing down in 2023,” said Steve Paraboschi, IMG President and CEO.  “After the huge rebound in travel we saw in 2022, IMG is well-positioned for travel to continue to increase in 2023 with our market-leading products and customer service.”

Travel Outlook Survey Findings:

Travelers are eager to travel sooner in 2023 than they were in 2022.

• 72% plan to take their next international trip before August 2023
  • 41% increase compared to 2022 survey results

In 2023, travelers are preparing to spend more money than they typically have in the past.

• 35% plan to spend more on travel in 2023 than they did in 2022

International and/or emergency medical coverage continues to be the most important insurance benefit to travelers in 2023, while coverage for trip cancellation and travel delay is close behind.

• Top concerns travelers have while planning or taking a trip:
  1. Getting sick or having an accident while at their destination
  2. Needing to cancel their trip before departure
  3. Issues getting to or from their destination
  4. Needing to interrupt a trip while at their destination

“IMG has been a respected leader in the travel medical insurance market for dozens of years, but interest in our iTravelInsured plans, which provide trip cancellation, trip interruption, and travel delay benefits, has never been higher,” said Paraboschi.

Many travelers plan to travel domestically in 2023, but a portion of travelers don’t traditionally invest in travel insurance with trip cancellation and/or travel delay benefits for such trips.

• 89% plan to travel domestically in 2023
  • 48% plan to travel domestically 3+ times in 2023
• Only 19% purchased travel insurance with trip cancellation and/or travel delay benefits for at least 1 domestic trip in 2022

“These results show that there is a great need for travelers to better understand the importance of travel insurance, even for their domestic trips,” said Amanda Winkle, IMG Chief Operating Officer. “Travelers are planning to spend more on their trips this year and are concerned about the ability to cancel those trips, which is all the more reason why travelers need to be purchasing travel insurance to protect their investments.”

The top 5 countries respondents plan to travel to next include:

1. Mexico – top country 3 years in a row
2. Canada
3. Japan
4. Italy
5. Spain

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lace, soaker tub with view, local art and an individual balcony.
Binoculars on the mantle for guests to use on nature or beach walks or from the comfort of their individual balcony where one might see eagles or whales. A collection of books is also on the mantle so guests can just settle in if they choose.
The Inn’s signature accommodations combine the beauty of the West Coast with the pursuit of providing excellence in every detail. Perhaps simply being in this place and taking time to be present is what you seek.
Rich Heritage and Culture
The area is also rich with heritage and culture and the primal nature of the surrounding wilderness renders an awareness of living in the now. Wander Chesterman Beach to the onsite Henry Nolla’s Carving Shed to watch and interact with local carvers.
Feel the rhythm of waves by taking a surf lesson or kayaking excursion. Nourish yourself with fresh, flavourful and inspired dishes made from seasonal harvests and ingredients provided from local and sustainable sources at The Pointe Restaurant at the Inn.
Wellness Activities
For more curated forms of wellness activities, there are plenty of options to choose from. The award-winning Ancient Cedars Spa offers a variety of treatments inspired by the rainforest and the coast.
You can choose a singular offering or allow highly skilled practitioners to guide you through a Signature treatment. Get your circulation moving with vigorous movement in the Fitness Centre or adjust and align with a private yoga class at the spa.
The Wickaninnish Inn is a place that allows one to breathe deeply amongst nature that helps replenish and restore your natural state of wellbeing. Find stillness, find movement, find your rhythm at the Wickaninnish Inn.
Visit www.wickinn.com for more information.

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Golf Anyone?

Anchoring the scenic waterfront property is the spectacular Doug Carrick-designed, links-style golf course with dramatic views of the bay from all 18 holes. It’s the perfect place to tee-it-up away from the hustle and bustle as tranquil vistas provided reign from most every vantage point.

The thrilling 18 pays homage to the great seaside courses of Scotland and Ireland as subtle, strategic bunkers dot the 7,134-yard routing. The design is a true shot-maker’s delight. Pure-rolling fescue greens, many with teasing pin locations requiring a decisive plan of attack, await well-struck approaches for hopes of a birdie putt. While a true championship test from the back tees, each hole has multiple tee-boxes and “safer routes” for players of any and all abilities. It’s as fun as golf can be.

Incredible Amenities

Cobble Beach additionally showcases a treasure trove of amenities including a comfortable Nantucket-style clubhouse complete with a five-star restaurant, bar, and fitness center. Ten tastefully-appointed and ultra-comfortable guest suites are available for stays at The Inn upstairs. Once checked in, there’s little reason to use your car keys as everything is right there. All visitors need do is simply enjoy.

Guests also have access to The Cottages at Cobble Beach, each with two bedrooms, wet bars and living rooms.  Additionally, more than 18 kilometers of hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing trails promote symmetry between work, play, indulgence, health and wellness. No matter the season, fun activities abound. By the way, if you’ve never tried the aerobic thrill of “snowshoeing” during the winter months, this is the place.

Spa time…

Not to be missed is The Spa at Cobble Beach. Tucked beneath the clubhouse and boutique inn, it offers a wide variety of treatments for him, her and couples. Massages range from traditional relaxation to hot stone and aromatherapy. There are a variety of facials and wraps on the menu, as well as hand and foot therapies. It’s the ideal vehicle to “arrive tired and leave inspired.”

Residential too

The 600-acre development is also a sought-after residential enclave. Cobble Beach recently introduced the Blue Bay Villas and The Grove by Reid’s Heritage Homes, true lock-and-leave, attached residences.  Walkout water views, full basements, and turnkey landscaping and maintenance are a few highlights of easy living. Those seeking custom, detached product for year-round or seasonal ownership have myriad design and location options from three best-in-class builders, or they can commission their own.

Cobble Beach offers several options for getaways of all types. For more information about packages, visit www.cobblebeach.com, or call 888.278.8112. For more information about real estate, visit www.livecobblebeach.com or call 877.781.0149.

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