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Family Fun (#bestparentsever) Parents please take note, if you follow this itinerary closely you just may be able to hold onto that "World's Best Parent" sweater for one more year (as long as you promise your children that you'll never wear it in public again). Winnipeg brings the heat when it comes to creating family fun in winter, and this guide will show you how we literally put the excitement on ice while also providing ample indoor space to explore and create a sense of awe for your little ones. OUTDOORS In the last three years, the winter scene at The Forks – Winnipeg's most-visited tourist destination – has been praised by both the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, as there is really nothing else like it on earth. Despite the city's reputation for having a harsh climate from December through February, the "dead of winter" is actually when The Forks is busiest, as on any given weekend you'll find thousands of skaters, dog-walkers, hockey players, stroller pushers and more on the Red River Mutual Trail. It is one of the world's longest naturally frozen groomed trails (in the mornings the Zamboni is common sight), and it snakes out from The Forks across stretches of both the Red and Assiniboine rivers to locales like South Osborne, St. Boniface, and the majestic Legislative grounds. To traverse this beauty, rent skates inside The Forks Market then feel the wind in your hair and the joy in your heart as you glide past our now-famous warming huts, which The New York Times describes as, "akin to visiting an interactive sculpture garden on blades." These architectural marvels are the results of an annual architecture and design competition, providing both a spot to tie your skates, take a break, or take a selfie with your kids in (most "huts" also have an interactive component that kids and adults alike take to with gusto). Even if you have toddlers, this is still a fun thing to do, as the trail is awash with stylish red chairs for pushing kids while there is also a small skating rink located right underneath the canopy (just outside the skate rental doors), along with several kilometres of on-land trails. If you have adolescents that like to shred, then pack their snowboard gear and let them loose on The Forks' Arctic Glacier Winter Park, which has the grooviest little snowboard terrain park around. Here they can work on hitting the tabletops, and maybe advance on to doing rail slides (moms, you won't want to watch) — all under the guidance of a certified snowboard instructor. Other hilly action can be found at Adrenaline Adventures. Snow tubing tracks are the main name of the game here, with courses that are suitable for kids of all ages. Their licensed premises (yes, you read that right, you can sip wine, beer or cocktails, while your kids slide) is open both day and night, while the sliding is free for kids three and under. There is also a tube tow to bring you back to the top of the hill. 36 2017 FALL/WINTER EVENTS & ITINERARIES GUIDE WINNIPEG Red River Mutual Trail: Zac Wronski Snow tubing at Adrenaline Adventures