Winter cheer IN OTTAWA

White snowscapes, strolling crowds and skaters on the Rideau Canal, Canada’s capital is a picture postcard come to life

- BERNADETTE FALLON

It’s the capital of Canada and sometimes overlooked for its glitzier neighbours, Toronto and Montreal, but don’t make that mistake. With a population of just one million, Ottawa is easy to get around, laid-back and welcoming, with fascinating culture and attractions in a scenic landscape, perched on the edge of two rivers. It does Christmas in style, decked out in festive finery – and snow – from early December. The region is also a great spot for foodies and fitness fans, with good local restaurants and food shops, 800km of walking and cycling paths, and top winter sports on your doorstep.

Go with the flow

The Ottawa River winds lazily through the sprawling capital, and is one of the main attractions. In the winter, when temperatures hit -42F, residents descend on the Rideau Canal to skate in a frozen wonderland. In the summer, when the weather becomes much more agreeable, and balmy sunny days turn into warm breezy nights, the canal is used for a variety of activities from canoeing to boat tours. You can also hop on a bike to cycle the wide, winding cycle ways alongside the canal.

Great for SPIRITED ADVENTURERS

There are lots of skiing and snowboarding trails close to the city during winter or, for something a bit gentler, try your hand at snowshoeing ortobogganing.

A tale of two cities