6 Creative Scenes Making Thunder Bay an Arts Hotspot
Bonnie Schiedel
April 1, 2026
There’s a meme that makes the rounds every winter: “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.” And while this can be an analogy for different parts of your life journey, in TBay the snow part is literally true. Rather than slogging through winter, a lot of residents embrace it and look forward to it. The beauty of sparkly, snow-covered trees on a sunny day, getting a workout in the fresh air, meeting with friends to try a new outdoor activity or revisit an old favourite…it’s all fun and exhilarating (really, we promise). Read on to learn more about some favourite winter sports, plus where to rent winter sports gear, in Thunder Bay!
Where to go downhill skiing or snowboarding in Thunder Bay
The city has two downhill ski and snowboarding hills, one at the north end of town and one at the south end. Mount Baldy Ski Area in the north offers a variety of terrain for all skill levels, as well as a terrain park with rails and jumps for adrenalin seekers. Bonus: It has great views of Lake Superior and the Giant! The runs are also lit on weekends so you can head out in the evening. For your apres-ski, there’s a chalet with a fireplace, big windows, a canteen and bar, lockers for gear and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. Lessons and gear rentals are available on site. Loch Lomond Ski Area is another great option. Part of the scenic Nor’Wester mountain range with the views to match, it too features weekend night skiing and boarding, a freestyle terrain park and a comfy chalet with a canteen and a bar, as well as lessons (including for adults who are total beginners) and gear rentals. Want to go tubing with the fam? Both these parks have tubing runs too. Zoom!
Where to play hockey in Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay is a hockey town, for sure, and is famous for producing the most pro hockey players per capita in the world, with star players like the Staal brothers (Eric, Jordan, Jared, Marc), Michela Cava, Tyler Tucker, Matt Murray and Samantha Isbell as well as historic greats including Bud Poile, Haley Irwin, Katie Weatherston and Alex Delvecchio. While there are plenty of opportunities for watching fast, higher-level games at rinks around the city, you can also get in on the action yourself with some beer leagues. For example, there’s Superior North Hockey League, which has both men’s (competitive and recreational) and women’s hockey teams, and Thunder Bay Women’s Hockey which has adult teams with three skill levels. Check out tbayshinny.com for casual, no-contact pickup games open to all. Stop by nWohockey on Facebook to get info on all things hockey too.
Where to go curling in Thunder Bay
Curling is also a big deal to many TBayers, as the city has been home to many national and international champions for generations. To try your hand at this social sport, take your pick of beginner adult classes, rec leagues for a range of abilities and fun bonspiels at Fort William Curling Club, Port Arthur Curling Centre and Kakabeka Falls Curling Club. And, all three have in-house restos with good food too, featuring Chinese, smash burgers and South Indian-Canadian fare respectively.
Where to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in Thunder Bay
TBay and area is blessed with dozens of kilometres of groomed cross-country (skate or classic styles) and snowshoe trails in peaceful wooded settings. Excellent options for both skiing and snowshoeing include the southside Kamview Nordic Centre (and be sure to stop by their snack bar to indulge in a homemade cookie the size of your head), northside Lappe Nordic Centre (with saunas and a freshly updated chalet), Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Kakabeka Provincial Park and Centennial Park (which is free). Loch Lomond has snowshoe trails too, included guided group options that come with a meal. Kamview and Lappe both have regular special events as well, like a candlelit ski/snowshoe night or a “women on skis” day, and both have lighted trails for night skiing. Snowshoe and ski gear rentals are available at Kamview, or you can also rent snowshoes at Wilderness Supply, Chaltrek or Loch Lomond. Lappe has seasonal ski gear rentals if you are a club member.
Where to go fat biking in Thunder Bay
Biking in the snow? There’s a fat bike for that! Named for their chunky tires that are designed for snowy conditions, fat bikes are a fun option for local cyclists. Try the trails at beginner-friendly groomed trails at Centennial Park as well as the more advanced ones by Blacksheep Mountain Bike Club at Trowbridge Forest and Shuniah Mines at the city’s north end. At Sleeping Giant Provincial Park you can opt to bike on the cross-country ski trails on the Pickerel Lake or Burma trails (just don’t wreck the ski trails if conditions are soft!) Watch the socials for the Thunder Bay Cycling Club and Thunder Bay Women Mountain Bikers for info on upcoming events and local meet-ups. You can rent a fat bike at local shops like Rollin’ Thunder or Fresh Air.
Where to go skating in Thunder Bay
Just about every neighbourhood in the city has an outdoor community rink, open from December to March when conditions permit. A frequent destination for pick-up hockey games, kids learning to skate or a quick outing with friends, there are more than two dozen in town, and they are all free (however it’s BYOskates as no rentals are available). Prince Arthur’s Landing rink at the waterfront is a standout with a drop-dead-gorgeous view of the Giant and a fireplace in the middle of the rink. There are three local skating trails too, winding through the trees for an Insta-worthy experience: Vickers Park, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park and Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park. Or, head indoors for public skates and lessons at several city rinks.
Where to go winter hiking in Thunder Bay
One of the best perks of winter hiking: no bugs! It’s also an excellent chance to explore familiar areas that have been transformed by fresh snow and spectacular ice formations, ideally with a gorgeous blue sky overhead. Depending on the year and the location, you may be able to wear sturdy winter boots or you may need to go with snowshoes and hiking poles. Good options include Centennial Park and Trowbridge Falls right in the city, the trails at the end of Coppin Road to take you into the Nor’Wester mountains (these are unmarked so use caution and go with someone familiar with the area), Cedar Falls Conservation Area, Little Trout Bay Conservation Area or the Little Falls trail at Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park.
Where to go ice fishing in Thunder Bay
Ice fishing is a vibe. You’re out on a frozen, windswept bay, tucked into your own little shack, waiting for a fish to bite and celebrating when you land your own fresh dinner. Bear Trak is a local outfitter that has on-the-ice rentals of simple cabins (uninsulated with a clear roof, or insulated) equipped with a wood stove, located on Black Bay on Lake Superior, out towards Sleeping Giant Provincial Park. They provide transportation via snowmobile and ice fishing gear so all you need is warm clothes, snacks and bait. The area is known for perch, but you may also catch pike or whitefish.
Tired of the indoor life? Heading out to try different winter activities is the very best way to cure cabin fever, get some exercise and connect with friends and family. Which TBay winter sport will you try first?
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CEDC © 2025. All rights reserved.