The allure of a frozen frontier

On clear winter nights in Canada's northern Yukon territory, Emily Kalil often finds herself standing quietly in the snow, watching visitors look up at the sky.

"I still get excited when I see it, and I live here," she said. "That sense of awe never goes away."

Kalil is a co-owner of one of the Yukon's largest tour operators. After working in outdoor education in British Columbia, she and her husband Aaron moved to the capital city of Whitehorse, and bought the business in 2024 following several winters guiding aurora tours.

The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are caused when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, producing shimmering waves of green, purple and pink light.

The phenomenon is most visible at high latitudes during long, dark winter nights, making northern Canada one of the world's prime viewing regions.

For Kalil, the magic of seeing the aurora in the Yukon lies not only in the light itself, but in the place.

"The north part of Canada and Whitehorse is still very untouched.

"Not a lot of people come here, and I think that's what makes it magical — you're watching the aurora in a place where the majority of the world has never been, or probably will never be," she said.

"There are only about 40,000 people in the Yukon," she added. "There are more moose than humans."

Her company uses a private viewing site, far from city lights but close enough for late-night returns. The site includes heated huts, hot drinks and outdoor firepits.

"It's very hard to stay outside all night," Kalil said. "So people go out, then come back in to warm up, have tea or hot chocolate, and then go back out again. It's a really comfortable flow."

A typical aurora tour begins around 10 pm and runs until after 2 am, she said. "But sometimes the aurora does not appear."

The unpredictability is part of the experience, she said, and the biggest challenge of running aurora tours. "I can control everything except the aurora," Kalil said. "Managing expectations is the hardest part."

Based on nearly two decades of operating experience, the company sees the aurora roughly once every three nights. For that reason, Kalil encourages guests to book multiple nights.

"We always recommend three nights," she said. "If you don't see it in three nights, that's very rare. It's bad luck."

Some of her favorite moments come not from perfect conditions, but from patience. Kalil recalled one family who had failed to see the aurora on three consecutive nights and nearly skipped their final tour because of heavy snow.

"When we were about to leave, the snow stopped and the aurora came out," she said. "We stayed until three in the morning. Their little girl was about 8 years old, and she said, 'They look like fireworks'. That was a really special moment."

For first-time visitors, her advice is simple. "Go out every night," she said. "Don't rely too much on apps. Every night is different. There's always a chance and it's always worth going."

Standing beneath a vast northern sky, watching people tick something off their bucket lists, remains the most rewarding part of her work.

"To be with someone in that moment, after they've dreamed of it for so long," Kalil said, "that's easily the best part of my job."

Home of winter

That kind of winter experience is exactly what Canada's tourism authorities are trying to showcase to global travelers.

"Canada is the home of winter, offering unparalleled experiences," said Gloria Loree, senior vice-president of marketing strategy and chief marketing officer at Destination Canada, the country's national tourism organization.

"While perceptions of cold remain across markets, these same wintry conditions are part of Canada's competitive strength during winter," Loree said.

"For motivated audiences, these winter conditions create unique, bucket-list experiences they cannot find elsewhere," she said.

She pointed to northern lights viewing, snow adventures and indigenous cultural experiences as key differentiators.

Officials also see tourism as a channel for broader people-to-people exchanges, particularly with China.

"Tourism is a critical driver of Canada's economy, and also a powerful vehicle for cultural exchange, shared experiences and meaningful interactions that build authentic human connections," said Li Wei, regional managing director of Asia Pacific at Destination Canada.

China remains a priority market, she said, with policy and industry cooperation supporting this.

"The reinstatement of Canada under China's Approved Destination Status framework in November 2025 marked a significant milestone in tourism recovery and renewed people-to-people engagement between Canada and China," Li said.

Destination Canada is working with provinces and industry partners to support winter travel readiness through what Loree described as a coordinated national approach.

"Ontario is the ideal gateway for first-time international travelers to Canada because it offers the 'Great Canadian Winter' with a high degree of accessibility and world-class comfort," said Lydia Devereaux, director of international marketing at Destination Ontario.

"We bridge the gap between rugged natural beauty and urban luxury, ensuring guests can experience our iconic landscapes safely and comfortably," she said.

Ice-fishing

North of Toronto, winter does not signal a retreat indoors. Instead, it becomes the setting for one of Canada's most distinctive traditions: ice fishing.

Ice fishing involves drilling holes through thick lake ice and fishing from the surface. The practice has long been part of life in Canada's colder regions, combining patience, preparation and a close relationship with winter landscapes.

For Adrian Pisano, an Ontario-based ice-fishing operator, the appeal lies precisely in that transformation of winter itself.

"Ice fishing is uniquely Canadian because it transforms winter from something to endure into something to enjoy," he said. "Standing on a frozen lake, surrounded by open sky and snow, is a powerful experience. It's quiet, expansive and deeply connected to nature."

Pisano said the experience often challenges visitors' expectations of cold-weather travel. Many arrive imagining discomfort or isolation, only to discover a slower and surprisingly comfortable way to spend time outdoors.

"Beyond safety and preparation, first-timers are often surprised by how comfortable ice fishing can be," he said, noting the use of heated huts and motorized transportation across the ice.

"Guests can simply arrive, stay warm and enjoy the experience. No prior fishing knowledge is required," he said.

Unlike fast-paced winter sports, ice fishing offers a different rhythm, one defined by waiting rather than movement.

"Ice fishing offers a slower, more reflective experience," Pisano said. "It encourages people to pause, observe and be present. Conversations flow more naturally, time feels less rushed, and many guests find it calming and even meditative."

At times, the quiet is broken by bursts of excitement.

"At the end of some days, guests joke that they can barely raise their arms from reeling in fish," he said.

Pisano said the contrast between the harsh natural conditions and unexpected comfort is what makes ice fishing especially appealing to overseas visitors, including those from China.

"Fishing through ice is something many travelers have never seen before," he said. "Doing so on a vast frozen lake feels almost surreal."

He added that the combination of safety, authenticity and scenery leaves a strong impression.

The reactions he hears most often are marked by surprise.

"Many arrive expecting something harsh or difficult and leave feeling refreshed and accomplished," Pisano said. "For many guests, it becomes one of the most unexpected highlights of their winter trip."

Dog sledding

While ice fishing offers stillness and reflection, other winter traditions emphasize movement and partnership.

Long before snowmobiles and winter highways, dog teams were the lifeline of northern Canada.

Dog sledding is a traditional Canadian form of winter travel in which a team of dogs pulls a sled across snow-covered terrain. It has evolved into a way for visitors to experience winter landscapes much as earlier generations did.

For Jacob Betker, an Ontario-based dog sledding operator, that history remains central to the experience.

"Dog sledding is closely connected to the history of Canada's north," he said. "For generations, dog teams were essential for transportation, mail delivery, medical travel and the development of remote communities."

Traveling by dog team today, he said, offers something increasingly rare.

"When people travel by dog team today, they are experiencing a form of travel that helped shape the country.

"Moving quietly through snow-covered forest, guided by a team of dogs working together, creates a strong connection to both the land and the past that is difficult to find in modern life," Betker said.

Cold temperatures, often seen as a barrier for winter travel, are treated as part of the experience rather than an obstacle.

"Cold is part of the northern winter, but with proper preparation it can be comfortable and even enjoyable," Betker said. Visitors receive clear guidance on clothing and layering, while tours are designed with regular opportunities to warm up.

"Depending on the tour or event, this can include hot chocolate, warming fires or heated tents with wood stoves," he said, adding that guides closely monitor weather conditions and adjust plans when needed.

For travelers considering a quieter way to spend Spring Festival, Betker said the appeal lies in simplicity.

"Away from busy cities and daily routines, visitors can enjoy simple moments such as sharing warm food and drinks, watching the dogs rest between runs, and sitting together by the fire," he said.

At the center of the experience are the dogs themselves.

"Our dogs are athletes and partners, and their well-being always comes first," Betker said. "On the trail, the dogs work as a team and make many decisions themselves, while the musher guides and supports them."

Guests, he said, often leave most impressed not by the speed or distance, but by the relationship they witness.

"The bond between dogs and handlers is built on trust, routine and respect," Betker said. "Guests often say this relationship is one of the most meaningful parts of what they experience here."

Snowmobiling

If dog sledding reflects Canada's past, snowmobiling represents its modern winter mobility.

Snowmobiling is one of Canada's most popular winter activities, allowing riders to travel across snow-covered landscapes on motorized sleds designed for ice and deep snow.

With thousands of kilometers of groomed trails stretching through forests, lakes and farmland, it offers a fast-paced way to experience winter terrain that would otherwise be inaccessible.

For Robin Banerjee, an Ontario-based snowmobiling operator, that sense of access is what makes the experience special.

"Ontario has nearly more kilometers of groomed snowmobile trails than it has paved highways — 25,500 kilometers," he said.

Snowmobiling, he added, offers a perspective of Canada that many visitors never see.

"It is a very different part of being a tourist from seeing the great cities of Toronto or Ottawa.

"There you get the culture, architecture and the people. On a snowmobile trip you get the nature and the adrenaline," he said.

Wildlife sightings are also part of the appeal.

"Along the way we might spot wild animals like moose, deer, beavers, foxes or even wolves," he said.

For many international visitors, including those from China, snowmobiling is a completely new experience. Banerjee said careful instruction and pacing are essential.

"Our first day is always an easy one," he said. Guests practice accelerating, braking and leaning into corners before heading onto the trails.

"Once everyone feels comfortable, we start out at a slower pace," Banerjee said. "We have a lead guide and a sweep guide to ensure the groups all stay together and that there are no issues."

As confidence grows, so does speed — within limits.

For him, snowmobiling strikes a balance between excitement and immersion.

"Snowmobiling is very exciting and provides a thrill," Banerjee said. "It is also a great way to see the natural wilderness."

Environmental responsibility, he noted, remains part of the operation.

"Snowmobiling is a gasoline-powered adventure, that is true," Banerjee said. "But we try to respect our environment by not leaving any litter anywhere, and by also respecting any animals we see. Stop, give them their space and take only photos."

For Banerjee, snowmobiling is ultimately about movement — not just through space, but through a landscape that defines the Canadian winter.

"To our friends in China, Ontario is ready and waiting," Devereaux said. "Ontario's winter is a season to be celebrated."

From standing beneath the northern lights to crossing frozen lakes and forest trails, for many visitors, Canada's winter is a season of discovery, movement and quiet wonder.