North Bay offers a unique blend of natural beauty, festive charm, and winter activities that make it an ideal travel destination during the Christmas holiday season. Some of us are planning a post-Christmas holiday as well, as we get into the teeth of the winter months. The gateway to Canada’s north, North Bay has a population of just over 50,000 people, a 3.5-hour drive north of Toronto (a four-hour drive west of Ottawa), and is perched on the east shores of Lake Nipissing.
With its stunning winter landscapes, nestled between Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake, with its snowy vistas, right out of a movie, you don’t have to wait for the snow to come to you. You can drive to it. Being out with nature in cold, snowy environments has enormous mental health benefits – boosting mood and reducing stress, helping one slow things down, just be present in the moment, encouraging exercise like hiking and skiing, which elevates the heart and endorphins (the brain’s natural mood elevators), fostering social connections, even improving sleep. North Bay is a winter wonderland, with all the necessary amenities to backstop any northern adventure.
Photo by Vincent Guth on Unsplash
There’s been a lot of talk about the vibrancy of the Northern Lights over the past year. People seek out the natural wonder of the celestial light show. There’s nothing that taps more into human curiosity about the mysteries of the universe, a profound connection to our natural world. North Bay is one of the best places in the country to view that. Since the sun sets earlier during the winter months, there’s more darkness, and the greens, purples and blues are more vibrant. When the sun sets, snowshoe along Duchesnay Falls Trails, or head to one of the many conservation areas (Papineau Lake Conservation Area, Kate Pace Way, Kinsmen Trail) in North Bay to take in the aurora borealis show.
For the Christmas nostalgia seeker, North Bay has local holiday markets showcase crafts, artisanal goods, and festive treats to check out, and the downtown often hosts holiday-themed events, including tree lighting ceremonies and carolling.
Christmas shows at the Capitol Centre
The Capitol Centre is housed in a beautiful, restored 1929 Art Deco movie theatre, housing around 600 people, with a gallery as well. Originally built as a vaudeville and movie house, it was one of the first theatres in Canada to showcase sound films. The building itself is an architectural gem, with its unique design and vintage charm contributing to its historical importance. These days, the Capitol Centre serves as a the cultural and performing arts hub of the city, with a wide variety of concerts, theatre productions, dance performances and film screenings.
Christmas time is prime season for shows and events, and check it out for winter season if you’re planning a trip after the holidays. Winter Bluesfest in January is one of the more popular arts and culture events in the city, with locals bands,
Ice fishing
Lake Nipissing, located between Georgia Bay and the Ottawa, is the third largest lake that is entirely in Ontario, relatively shallow for a large lake, with an average depth of 15 feet.
There are many reasons that make it one of the best ice fishing destinations anywhere. There’s a variety of fish species, making it a prime spot for ice fishing enthusiasts. Common catches include walleye (pickerel), northern pike, perch, and whitefish. The lake’s reputation for large walleye and northern pike makes it a favorite destination for both recreational and seasoned anglers.
January is the coldest month of the year in North Bay, with temperatures around 10 degrees F. With its large surface area (approximately 873 square kilometers) and relatively shallow depth, Lake Nipissing freezes quickly and forms a stable ice cover in winter. The frozen lake provides ample space for anglers to set up, with popular spots easily accessible by snowmobiles, ATVs, or vehicles (when conditions permit).
Snowmobiling and skiing
Laurentian Ski Hill is a popular stop for travellers, just minutes from North Bay, with slopes suitable for all skill levels. There are day ticket sales and season passes for sale at the Upper Lodge at 15 Janey Ave., in North Bay, with access to lessons and equipment rentals. Adult lift tickets are $48 for a half day, $55 for a full day.
Explore trails in areas like the Kate Pace Way or the Canadian Ecology Centre for snow-showing and cross-country skiing. And North Bay features an extensive network of groomed snowmobile trails.
North Bay is part of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) Trails (popular routes include A Trail, a major artery for long-distance riders connecting North Bay to other northern regions, and Top D Trail, a scenic route passing through beautiful winter landscapes close to the city), North Bay Snowmobile Club Trails (a network of trails in the area, offering a mix of challenges), and the North Bay to Bonfield Loop (local favorite, across varied terrain, through small towns with warm-up shelters along the way).
Ice Follies Festivals on Lake Nipissing
The festival takes place in February or early March, depending on ice conditions, that showcases art installations and performances on the frozen surface of Lake Nipissing, a unique blend of contemporary art with the natural beauty and landscape of the north. Artists use innovative techniques to create sculptures, structures, and interactive works that are both captivating and environmentally mindful. The pieces often incorporate the natural elements of snow, ice, and the frozen expanse of Lake Nipissing.
Ice Follies is organized by a collective of North Bay-based artist-run organizations, including White Water Gallery, Nipissing Region Curatorial Collective (NRCC), and Near North Mobile Media Lab, bringing together local artists, residents and visitors, creating a sense of community pride.
Top photo of Northern Lights by Luke Stackpoole on Unsplash
I am a 50-something Torontonian who loves everything about my city. It’s been my home, my playground, for my entire life. I went to school here. I met my wife here. I own real estate here. I love writing about the transformation of my city on the world stage, which hasn’t been anything short of dramatic. That continues on, as I write this. I write on the real estate scene. I write on travel and fashion. I like following the world of luxury watches.
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