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Celebrate Winter The crunch of snow underfoot while snowshoeing by moonlight. The frosty, steamy air rising from hot pools at a luxurious Scandinavian-inspired outdoor spa. The taste of sticky sweet maple syrup rolled in snow at a festival celebrating the fur trade. These are just some of the ways to embrace Winter-peg's most famous season. All you need is some toasty warm outdoor gear, a sense of adventure and thirst for fun to take in what a Winnipeg winter offers. Come late January, the hottest ticket in town also happens to (arguably) be the top food event of the year — RAW: almond (January 26–February 14). This is the world's only pop-up restaurant on a frozen river. For three weeks, diners can savour multi-course gourmet meals served up at long communal tables in a cozy structure (yes, it's heated) located at The Forks. Top-notch local and North American chefs make up the roster each year. Another festival to put on your bucket list is Festival du Voyageur (February 16–25). Western Canada's largest winter festival celebrates the spirit of Winnipeg's fur trading history. All of St. Boniface — Winnipeg's French Quarter — gets in the spirit. Along its streets, you'll find massive snow sculptures and lively events in neighbourhood restaurants and bars that complement the main event at Fort Gibraltar. Dance and jig to lively music, attend concerts, sample authentic French Canadian cuisine and meet costumed interpreters inside this recreated fort. Just outside the fort's walls lies a challenge for adrenaline junkies — scale the 20-metre ice climbing tower located at Club d'escalade de Saint-Boniface. All skill levels are welcome and equipment is available on-site. The Forks, Manitoba's number one tourist attraction, is the place to be in winter. Lace up your skates (rentals are available in The Forks Market) before heading out on the Red River Mutual Trail — one of the world's longest naturally frozen trails. Here, you'll spot an abundance of stylish warming huts. These are the winning designs from architects who submitted entries as part of an annual international warming huts competition. You can also play hockey and curl, or try your hand at the new Canadian classic — Crokicurl, which merges the classic tabletop game crokinole with curling. Skaters can also glide along The Forks' numerous groomed, on-land trails before trading in those skates for a snowboard, skis or a slide at the Arctic Glacier Winter Park. Cyclists can get their fix by renting fat bikes at White Pine Bicycle Co. in the Johnston Terminal and plow through the snow. Head back to the market to Skating Under the Canopy at the Forks: Mike Peters Festival du Voyageur: Dan Harper RAW: almond: Tourism Winnipeg 14 2018 OFFICIAL VISITOR'S GUIDE WINNIPEG