7 Best Things to Do on Prince Edward Island in Winter, From Ski Hills to Nordic Spas

Prince Edward Island's winter activities cluster around Summerside, Charlottetown and the Brookvale ski hill, with skiing, snowshoeing, groomed trails, snowmobiling and a Nordic spa among the options. Several venues in the sources reviewed publish no winter hours, and some event dates have passed, so confirm every detail with the operator before you go. Weather matters most, and outdoor plans should have a flexible backup day.

Ski and ride at Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park

Quick facts: Brookvale, about 30 minutes from Summerside or Charlottetown; Nordic and alpine skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, tubing and snowshoeing.

Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park offers the widest mix of winter activities on the island in one place. Tourism PEI's winter guide, published January 6, 2026, lists it among the top winter options. Neither that guide nor the ToDo Canada list gives season end dates or hours, so check the park before you plan a full day around it. Its range of activities makes it a good anchor for a multi-activity day, with snowshoeing as an easier alternative for less experienced visitors.

Snowshoe, ski and tube at Mill River Resort

Quick facts: 180 Mill River Resort Road, Woodstock; snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, an outdoor skating rink and a tubing hill.

Mill River Resort suits families who want a relaxed day outdoors without a demanding itinerary. Its outdoor skating rink and tubing hill make it practical for a half-day visit, and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are available on the same grounds. ToDo Canada's winter list shows a $10 adult day pass and $7 tubing, but the page carries no publication year, so verify current prices before you go.

Soak and sweat at Mysa Nordic Spa

Quick facts: 1668 Greenwich Road, Saint Peters Bay; thermal baths, cold plunges, a Finnish sauna, massages and on-site dining.

Mysa is a strong indoor option to pair with a cold outdoor morning. Both Tourism PEI and ToDo Canada list the spa as a winter option, but neither states hours. Plan a full afternoon around the thermal baths and sauna, since they are the main draw. Book ahead and confirm the schedule with the spa directly.

Groomed trails and rinks in Summerside and Charlottetown

Quick facts: Rotary Friendship Park has about 5 km of groomed trails, and Heather Moyse Heritage Park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily with cross-country ski trails.

Summerside has several accessible winter outdoor options. The city maintains an outdoor skating rink at The Oval in Queen Elizabeth Park during the winter months, and Rotary Friendship Park offers groomed trails for skiing and snowshoeing. Discover Charlottetown's winter guide covers the capital's options if you are based there.

Snowmobile the Confederation Trail

Quick facts: ToDo Canada lists 435 km of trail and says a trail permit is needed; Tourism PEI cites more than 900 km of snowmobile trails and 210 km of winter ATV routes in western PEI.

The two sources give different totals, so confirm the current network and permit requirements with the trail operator before you ride. ToDo Canada's list of outdoor winter activities covers the trail basics.

Walk Bonshaw Hills and drive the winter coast

Quick facts: Bonshaw Hills Provincial Park is open all winter, with more than 18 km of trails along the Bonshaw River; a winter coastal drive is mapped by Tourism PEI.

Bonshaw Hills stays open through the winter, though parts of its natural adventure playground close during the season, so ask about closures before you go. For a lower-effort day, Tourism PEI's Points East winter itinerary maps a coastal route, and its winter coastal drives page lists other options. Confirm which stops are open, since off-season hours can differ from the summer schedule. Bonshaw's trails suit a short walk on a clear day, when snow and daylight are most reliable.

Plan your winter trip around the weather

Quick facts: Ice fishing on the Summerside waterfront is possible only once the lake freezes; several event dates on the lists are still to be confirmed.

Dress in layers, check the forecast the morning you travel, and keep an indoor backup stop on each route. Ice fishing on the Summerside waterfront depends on the lake freezing, so treat it as a bonus rather than a fixed plan. The Winter Warmth Festival in Summerside is listed for late January to Family Day weekend with its 2026 dates still to be confirmed. The province's winter walking guide is a good starting point for footpaths that stay open. Other winter guides such as Adventures.com's winter activities list offer more ideas. If you are weighing a wider Atlantic trip, our earlier guides to fall things to do on Prince Edward Island and to ferry crossings for 2026 cover the season before winter.

People also ask

Is Prince Edward Island open in winter?

Yes, though many attractions run on reduced hours or seasonal schedules. Outdoor winter activities such as skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are well established, and indoor options like the Nordic spa keep working through the cold months. Check each operator before visiting, because the sources reviewed do not list hours for most venues. Destination Canada's winter guide is a useful overview.

Do I need a permit to snowmobile on PEI?

ToDo Canada says a trail permit is needed to snowmobile on the Confederation Trail. Requirements can change, so confirm the permit rules and the trail's current status with the operator before you ride. Plan a backup activity in case conditions close the trail.

Which PEI winter activities depend on the weather?

Ice fishing depends on the lake freezing, and outdoor skating and snowshoeing depend on snow and temperature. Coastal drives are less weather-dependent but can still be affected by storms. Book flexible days where possible, and keep a list of indoor alternatives such as the spa for poor-weather days.

Are the winter festivals still on this season?

Some festivals listed in winter guides have already passed for the current season, so check event dates before you plan around them. The Winter Warmth Festival in Summerside was listed with dates to be confirmed for late January to Family Day weekend, so verify those with the organizers.

Is a winter trip to PEI good for families?

It can be, particularly at venues with tubing hills, groomed trails and skating rinks. Keep plans short, check hours for each stop, and pick a skating rink or spa for afternoons when children tire from outdoor play. Local operators can confirm which options suit younger visitors.

Planning a winter trip to Prince Edward Island? Write to United Travels at travel@unitedtravels.ca and we will help you build the dates and activities around your priorities.

Facts checked against current sources as of November 12, 2026; confirm before booking, traveling or deciding.