Spongee, Winnipeg

Spongee is a cult sport almost exclusively played in Winnipeg. It's an adaptation of road hockey, but players play on an ice rink, using soft-soled footwear similar to a broomball shoe and a sponge puck. It's an cheaper and safer alternative to ice hockey...and its accessible to a population who may not have grown up on skates. Although most popular in the 80s and 90s, the Kildonan Sponge Hockey League of Winnipeg has dozens of teams today.

Ice Biking, Winnipeg

Don't skate or want to try something new? Ice Biking is the perfect low impact exercise to try this Winter. Check out Kendrick's Outdoor Adventures at The Forks to rent a bike and pedal the Nestaweya River Trail. All winter ice bikes are stable and sturdy, feature an adjustable seat for a more comfortable ride and are great for folks of all ages.

Horse skijoring, Falcon Lake

Falcon Ridge Ski Slopes provides the venue, while neighbouring Falcon Beach Ranch provides the horses. The annual Snowdance Festival held each January at Falcon Trails Resort in Whiteshell Provincial Park is chock-full of hair-brained activities for outdoorsy types, such as frozen turkey curling. But the most adrenaline-filled event is the equestrian skijoring, which might sound odd to a Manitoban, but is a totally legit sport in Norway. Athletes on skis or snowboard hold on to a tow rope and are pulled behind a horse and rider.

Frozen fish toss, Gimli

Those hardy Icelanders along Lake Winnipeg gather annually in early March to celebrate (and bid adieu) to winter at the Gimli Ice Festival. Among the many outdoor activities that happen on the ice in Gimli's harbour, the frozen fish toss is always a crowd favourite. Limber-armed participants pitch a frozen sauger or pickerel toward fishing buckets, hoping to sink it. Fish lips alert: judges award a second try if you kiss the fish before you throw it.

Flour packing competition, The Pas

At The Pas' venerable cultural event the Northern Manitoba Trapper's Festival, flour packing is one of 22 competitions that King Trapper wannabes sign up for to test their mettle. The event involves carrying giant sacks of flour upon their back – at minimum 600 lbs. – and walking six meters. This strongman competition is an ode to the ultimate outdoors men who plied the waters and woods of the North carrying unimaginable loads of furs and goods on their backs during frequent portages.

Kick sledding, Riding Mountain National Park

Manitoba's only national park accessible to leisure travellers does one heck of a job as selling itself as the place to be in winter. Well-groomed cross-country ski trails, guided snowshoe hikes, fat bike rentals, winterized oTENTiks for camping...and now kick sleds. These Scandanavian scooters are lightweight sleds usually characterized by a frame or chair mounted on flexible metal runners that are propelled by kicking ("sparking") the ground by foot. Rent a kick sled (AKA kickspark) for a few hours from the Friends of Riding Mountain information centre in the Wasagaming townsite and take your kids on an adventure on the trails around Clear Lake.

Kiteboarding, Winnipeg

Family-owned Boost Kiteboarding in Winnipeg are the go-to folks for learning how to harness the prairie wind and snow for this adrenaline-pumping winter sport. All you need is a windy day and a flat expanse of snow (hmm, where can I find that?), and Boost Kiteboarding will take care of the rest. They provide all the gear and lessons which can be purchased on their website. They normally take people to ideal locations just outside of Winnipeg city limits such as the Red River Floodway and Lake Winnipeg.

Actif Epica Winter Ultra, St. Pierre Jolys

Actif Epica is Manitoba's only ultra endurance race in the extreme temperatures of winter. Icy temperatures, windswept trails, and big skies. Participants sign up to cycle 50 km, 115 km, or 230 km, or run 50 km, 115 km, or 160 km on two loops along the Crow Wing Trail based out of St. Pierre Jolys. Actif Epica is an annual race and takes place Feb 13-15, 2026.

SledDogging, Asessippi Ski Resort Area

If downhill skiing or snowboarding terrifies you, why not sled dog? Asessippi Ski Resort Area offers rentals of the unique ski-skate boots. If you can ice skate, you can sled dog. Sled dogs are essentially ski boots with a smooth sole that allow you to skate down a hill without the worry of tangled skis or not knowing how to slow down or stand up when you fall. You can turn, hockey-stop, cross-over - anything you can do on skates - but with the thrill of doing it downhill.

Ice Climbing Tower, St. Boniface

Winnipeg can't boast nearby mountains, but there is still a way to reach lofty heights in winter. The ice tower at Club de Escalade de St. Boniface rises 20 meters high, giving awesome views of the downtown skyline as you attempt an icy ascent. It is North America's original free-standing ice climbing tower, looking like a frozen waterfall on the banks of the Red River. The tower is open to the public (you don't have to be a member) every Saturday 9:30 to 4:00 pm in winter. Climbing gear is provided (dress in light layers because you will get sweaty!) and prices are $40.00 per climber. Trained volunteers will eagerly instruct for all skill levels.

Full Moon Snowshoe Hikes, Pinawa

Chances are you have snowshoed before. Now elevate the sport by going at night, guided by moonlight. It's a glorious feeling being under the light of the full moon and stars as you crunch over the twinkling snow and through the shadows of trees. Pinawa Unplugged Eco Tours offers monthly full moon snowshoe hikes around Canadian Shield country. FortWhyte Alive in Winnipeg regularly schedules hikes that include a bonfire and hot chocolate as a reward at the end.

Original blog by Jillian Reckseidler.