Issue link: http://tourismwpg.uberflip.com/i/1200228
While our frigid winters were once a deterrent for visitors, they have been celebrated by the likes of the NY Times, LA Times and countless architecture and design publications. The common thread is the creativity on display, as Winnipeggers do not retreat from a bit of frostbite and instead allow the ice and snow to serve as an artistic medium. Here's just a few standouts. The Forks is home to the world's coolest skating trail – the Manitoba 150 Trails – which regularly runs for 10 kms along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. Along its skating and walking paths, you'll encounter eccentric and whimsical warming huts made by famous architects and designers from across the globe. The Forks' on-land skating trails are equally enchanting, particularly at night when they are illuminated by lights strung from trees, while a hockey rink under the iconic WINNIPEG sign is always ready for your Instagram account. Skate rentals are available in The Market, as is the opportunity to après skate with the locals (which involves grabbing a beer or glass of wine from The Common and a bite from the surrounding food kiosks). For 51 years Festival du Voyageur (Feb. 15- 24) has laid claim to being Western Canada's largest winter festival. "Canada's biggest kitchen party" celebrates the city's francophone, Métis and fur-trading heritage with all manner of live music in huge lively tents, costumed interpreters living within Fort Gibraltar like it's the early 1800s, giant snow sculptures made by artists from around the world, and a rich array of French food (including everyone's favourite – maple taffy on snow). The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra's New Music Festival (Jan. 25 - Feb. 31) continues to push musical boundaries, synthesizing symphonic tradition with groundbreaking new sounds in settings as diverse and grand Getting creative with the cold Kristhine Guerrero Dan Harper