Winnipeg embraces all seasons and winter is no exception.  Comes the first snow and the locals go out to play and celebrate the season with plenty of exciting activities and festivals, making their city the ultimate winter destination.

RAW: almond Pop-Up Restaurant gives a whole new meaning to frozen food. This unique pop-up restaurant is back for the fifth consecutive year and from 19 January to 13 February 2017, RAW: almond's elaborate tent will once again rise from the ice. Thanks to the culinary skills of some of North America's finest chefs, diners will be able to feast on the frozen river back-dropped by downtown Winnipeg. It's a culinary experience you won't find anywhere else in the world. No wonders it has become a Canadian Tourism Award winner and a must-see for visitors and locals alike!

Fort Whyte Alive, an urban nature preserve complete with its own 40-head herd of bison, offers many winter activities that embrace the beautiful snow-capped surroundings.  Each month, when the full moon has risen, groups strapped with snow-shoes and head torches go for a hike to search for owls and animal tracks before ending the evening with a warming bonfire and hot chocolate in the North Forest. Fort Whyte Alive also offers a cosy cabin where yogis can combine nature and meditation.  

For 10 days Saint Boniface, Winnipeg's French quarter, becomes a winter playground and host to Festival du Voyageur, the largest winter festival in Western Canada.  Metis and First Nations history is brought to life inside the walls of Fort Gibraltar, a reconstructed fort, along with music, traditional French Canadian cuisine like bannock and pea soup. Don't miss the cabane à sucre where maple syrup poured over snow becomes an interactive sweet treat. Take in larger-than-life snow sculptures crafted by artisans from around the world and toe-tapping shows for the whole family.   Festival du Voyageur takes place from 17 to 26 February 2017.

Big Fun Festival is a 5-day indie winter festival that showcases Winnipeg's wealth of musical talent. Taking place from 25 to 29 January 2017, the festival starts on Wednesday evening with multiple shows and parties throughout Winnipeg's downtown neighbourhood, closing with a matinee folk breakfast show on the Sunday. Manitobans celebrate Winnipeg's music scene against the back drop of the infamous winter with local headliners ranging from punk to hip-hop to folk and everything in between.  

After all that excitement, the perfect place to chill out is Thermëa Spa.  Located a mere 5 miles away from downtown Winnipeg, this spa is a haven that features the perfect combination between great outdoors and relaxation techniques from the Nordic countries.  Here you can unwind and reenergize under show covered trees whilst soaking in the outside tubs and waterfalls. The facilities also include 4 saunas and many outdoor and indoor relaxation areas.  With all of one's senses revitalized from a massage or body treatment, a delicious and healthy meal at the Spa restaurant is the perfect end to the visit.  

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For information and images about Manitoba please contact:

Eve Gardiner – eve@firstpr.co.uk

Sebastian Sarrasin – sebastian@firstpr.co.uk

Tel: 0208 877 4523