What Are Some Cities Snowier Than Others?
There are many reasons why some places are snowier than others, although as one would expect, most are tied to temperature and precipitation. Obviously, colder places, most of which are further north, will get more snow. However, coastal cities tend to have warmer winters, meaning that cities such as Vancouver getting very little snow despite getting so much precipitation, and having relatively cool temperatures (compared to the rest of the world). Here are some of the snowiest cities in Canada.
Snowiest Cities In The Territories
The territories are known for being extremely cold, which leads to a lot of snow. While this is often true, there are some exceptions, as places such as Yellowknife that simply experience little precipitation won’t have as much snow as cities that experience more precipitation. This is reinforced by the fact that cities like Yellowknife also experience summers, and even parts of spring and fall, where the temperature is generally above freezing, meaning that large amounts of the precipitation that does fall comes in the form of rain, not snow.
Fort Simpson, NWT
Getting almost 200 centimetres of snow in an average year, Fort Simpson gets plenty of snow, despite not being that far north compared to many other cities in the territories. One of the city’s most well-known annual events are the Beavertail Jamboree, which includes games, snowmobile races, and talent shows. The other is the Open Sky Festival, which includes musical, and theatre arts, traditional Dehcho Dene Crafts, visual arts, new media exhibitions, workshops, and demonstrations, and happens every Canada Day weekend.
Kinngait, Nunavut
Similar to how it is also one of the rainiest cities in Canada, Kinngait, former known as Cape Dorset, gets plenty of snow, with over almost 300 centimetres being the norm for most years. This town located at the south of Baffin Island is known for its stunning art scene. It calls itself the Capital Of Inuit Art, and over 20% of its workforce is employed in the arts in some function, meaning there is plenty of art to check out if you are visiting.
Watson Lake, Yukon
Named for Frank Watson, the trapper and prospector who originally settled the city. Watson Lake is located right to the south of the territory, very close to the BC border. With an average of almost 200 centimetres of snow per year, Watson Lake gets more snow than anywhere else in Yukon.
Snowiest Cities In British Columbia
You would likely expect BC to have plenty of snowy places, as it is located directly on the cost. This is true to an extent, but many of the coldest cities in the province are further inland.
Revelstoke
The city that has always been tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway also gets plenty of snow, despite being located far from the ocean, and to the south of the province. With an average of almost 400 centimetres of snow each year, the city is one of the snowiest on the western end of the country. The city also has a positive hockey history, with a couple of minor league hockey teams teams, in the Bruins and Grizzlies, and a handful of former NHL players being born here.
Sparwood
With an average of over 250 centimetres of snow annually, despite being in the southeastern portion of the province, Sparwood has plenty of snow. If you’re ever there, be sure to check out the Terex 33-19 Titan, a one of a kind dump truck, which spent 25 years as the largest in the world, and is now on display within the city.
Whistler
Located north of Vancouver, Whistler gets a shocking amount of snow, getting over 400 centimetres in an average year. This makes it a wonderful place to go skiing and snowboarding, and over two million people per year visit the city for these purposes. It was also the host for some of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics for Alpine, Nordic, Luge, Skeleton and Bobsled events.
Snowiest Cities In The Prairies
The prairies are an interesting contrast to BC, given that the region is in many ways the opposite: not much precipitation, but they can get very cold when compared to their latitude. Below are some of the snowiest cities in the area.
Cardston, Alberta
With almost 200 centimetres of snow falling in the average year, Cardson is extremely snowy when compared to the rest of Alberta. The city also has some fun things to explore. Sports fans will likely enjoy the soccer park, ball parks, a golf course, ice skating rink, swimming pool, tennis courts, hiking trails, skateboard park, and hockey stadium. Other attractions include the Remington Carraige Museum, which with over 250 carriages, is the largest collection of horse drawn vehicles in all of North America, and the Carraige House Theatre.
Gillam, Manitoba
Gillam, Manitoba averages over 200 centimetres of snow annually, making it the snowiest city in Manitoba. With numerous lakes and river, Gillam has plenty of places for canoeing and fishing in warmer weather. With several trails, it is also a snowmobiler’s paradise.
Lloydminster, Saskatchewan
Getting almost 150 centimetres of snow in an average year, Lloydminster is notable for being the only city on Canada that is in two provinces, being part of both Alberta and Saskatchewan. You can really highlight this point by going to the borer markers, a place where you can be in Alberta on one side of the street, and Saskatchewan on the other side. The Lloydminster Museum & archives, RCMP Hope monument, and several parks are here for you to check out when you visit.
Snowiest Cities In Ontario
Ontario has plenty of variation in the amount of snow that many cities have. Some cities are very warm and dry, while others get plenty of snow. Some of the snowiest places in the province are below, each of which getting over 300 centimetres of snow annually.
Owen Sound
Located on the tip of Georgian Bay, Owen sound averages over 325 centimetres of snow annually. Being so close to such a body of water gives it watermarks like Inglis Falls, Indian Falls, Jones Falls, Harrison Park, and Kelso Beach Park. More cultural things to do include Grey Roots Museum, the Owen Sound Marine-Rail Museum, The Tom Thompson art Gallery and the Roxy Theatre.
Sault Saint Marie
With Almost 325 centimetres of snow annually Sault Saint Marie is almost as snowy as Owen Sound. The team is known for its NOHA hockey team, the Greyhounds, which have had plenty of future NHL superstars play for them, including Tony Esposito, Jeff Carter, Ron Francis, Adam Foote, Joe Thornton, and The Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky. Maybe if you attend a game, you’ll be able to catch the next gid star before they make it to the big leagues, and then forever say you saw them before any of your friends did.
Timmins
With around 310 centimetres of snow in an average year, Timmins also gets plenty of the white stuff. Those who enjoy nature can check out Kettle Lakes Provincial Park, Mount Jameson Provincial Park, Gillies Lake Conservation Area, Hersey Lake Conservation Area, and High Falls. Those who prefer to learn about the local culture can enjoy Timmins Museum: National Exhibition Centre, Full Beard Brewing Co, and Timmins Square.
Snowiest Cities In Quebec
Quebec also gets a wide variety of snow quantities, with some places getting more than twice as much as others in the province. Below are three of the snowiest.
Blanc Sablon
With about 375 centimetres of snow annuals, Blanc Sablon is located on the far east of the province, even further east than much of Newfoundland & Labrador. While there, check out the Labrador Marine Inc. ferry and Brador Falls.
Quebec City
While being slightly less snowy, the capital of the French-speaking province still usually gets over 300 centimetres of snow per year. Many of the most popular activities in the city are celebrations of their French culture, including checking out Old Quebec, La Citadelle de Québec, Place Royale and Musee de la Civilisation.
Thetford Mines
Located relatively south in the province, Thetford Mines gets an average of over 350 centimetres of snow annually. When there, be sure to check out the Minéro – Musée De Thetford, a museum dedicated to the many things successfully mined in the area.
Snowiest Cities In Atlantic Canada
Places in Atlantic Canada generally get a lot of snow, due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. However, the difference between cities if often higher than expected, as even cities in very close proximity to each other can still get vastly different amounts of snow.
Bathurst, New Brunswick
Getting almost 350 centimetres of snow in an average calendar year, Bathurst is the snowiest city in New Brunswick. When there, you can check out La Promenade Waterfront, Pabineau Falls, and Daly Point Nature Reserve.
Charlottetown, PEI
With almost 300 centimetres of snow on average, the province’s capital is also the snowiest major city. While there, be sure to check out Confederation Centre of the Arts and the Green Gables House & Our Island Experience.
Cheticamp, Nova Scotia
In a province where most cities get around 200 centimetres of snow annually, Cheticamp getting around 300 stands out. There are plenty of trails that you can use in Cheticamp, including the Acadian Trail and Gypsum Mine Trail. Other places to check out include Cheticamp Island Beach, The Gallery La Bella Mona Lisa, and The Gulf Aquarium and Marine Station Cooperative.
St. Anthony, Newfoundland & Labrador
With an average of over 500 centimetres of snow each year, St. Anthony is the snowiest city in all of Canada. Right at the northern tip of the Island of Newfoundland, the city is both far north and almost surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean. The city does have some interesting museums, including Grenfell Historic Properties, Grenfell House Museum, and The Jordi Bonet Murals. If you’re looking for an outdoor activity, Dare Devil Trail, Fishing Point Municipal Park, and Whale Watchers Trail.