From British Columbia to New Brunswick, Canada has loads to offer when it comes to spectacular locations for photography, and winter brings in an added bonus – snow covered landscapes! From popular destinations like Niagara Falls to some of the lesser explored sites, our LDExperts in the Photolab have rounded up some of the best places you can visit this winter to capture some great shots worth printing.
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Vancouver Island may be notorious for its mild winters, but there are quite a few locations that offer beautiful photography landscapes in the winter. With views ranging from frosty beaches in Tofino and Victoria, to snow-covered mountains in Comox Valley, Vancouver Island is definitely a photographer’s paradise this time of year.
Yoho National Park, British Columbia
While most Canadians planning a “winter national park vacation” in the Rockies tend to focus on Banff Alberta, neighboring Yoho National Park in British Columbia is highly overlooked even though its scenery rivals that of other Rocky Mountain National Parks in Canada.
Yoho National Park is located just a short 10 minute drive from Lake Louise in neighbouring Alberta, or via the town of Golden on the other side of the park offers beautiful photography spots around every corner. A few popular spots include Emerald Lake Lodge, Hamilton Falls which has a frozen waterfall, Lake O’Hara and the Elizabeth Parker Hut, and the breathtaking Wapta Falls.
Churchill, Manitoba
Churchill, an isolated town on Manitoba’s northern Hudson Bay coastline, is a magnet for photographers looking to capture polar bears and more importantly, the northern lights. Churchill is located directly beneath the Auroral Oval making it one of the best places on Earth to witness Mother Nature’s light show. The northern lights (aurora borealis), peak from January to March but is also visible on clear nights all year round.
While out capturing this shot, photographer Andre Brandt shares his experience: “Three days after the 2017 ‘Blizzard of the Century’ in Churchill, Manitoba I took the opportunity to go out and capture the aftermath. I didn’t have to go far to see the beautifully carved snow drifts from the 100km/hr winds we endured for days on end. These particular drifts, on the Churchill River, were almost as hard as concrete. With the sun setting it provided nice side light to really enhance the details and veins in the snow. Despite the -40C temp this day I’m sure glad I trekked out to capture a few shots of these drifts.”
Niagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls in summer is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. But visiting in winter is a whole different experience altogether. Winter brings an added dimension of beauty to Niagara Falls and this natural wonder transforms into a frozen landscape unlike any other. The mist from the falls combined with the ice-cold winds of winter spray the nearby ornamental walls, lamp posts, trees and buildings, creating lovely frozen ice sculptures. The Winter Festival of Lights which takes place from early November till the end of January is also a great time for photography enthusiasts to capture some vibrant colorful shots. The festival boasts over two million lights and over 125 animated light displays along the Niagara Parkway.
Arrowhead Provincial Park, Ontario
A few miles from Toronto is the picturesque Arrowhead Park not only famous for its adventure sports but also its beautiful landscapes. Photographer Mike (@trail_bound) captured this picture while looking for snowy landscapes close to Toronto, “All we’ve been getting in the Toronto area is rain for the past month, so we headed 3 hours north to Arrowhead Provincial Park to see some real winter! This is the point where a small flowing river empties into the frozen Arrowhead Lake.”
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
From the rolling mountain range in the Cape Breton Highlands to the fields in the Annapolis Valley to the many lighthouses that dot the coastline, Nova Scotia is certainly a photographer’s dream. Hiking in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park – Franey Trail is sure to result in some breathtaking photographs. A visit to Nova Scotia’s most photographed lighthouse Peggy’s Cove, and the quaint fishing village are definitely also a must!
Newfoundland
Photographer Nikita (@thecovegirl) shares her experience shooting in Newfoundland in the winter: “Fishing sheds are a big part of the Newfoundland culture. These sheds are not only for storing fishing gear and tools, but it is often a place of solitude, catching up with friends, and an occasional drinking, singalong, accordion playing dance party. Although they are rarely used in winter, you can’t help but notice these colourful sheds in the midst of a cold winter’s day. Standing on the road side, with my tripod and Canon in hand, under a surreal dusky moon sky, mixed in with some wild weather and crashing waves, reminded me of how beautiful the winter season truly is. The moon was just a reminder that another day was over, soon summer would be here, and the fishing shed would be back in full swing. But for now, I was discovering the beauty of winter.”
Canada has some of the best locations for winter photography irrespective of which end of the country you live, so where will you be heading this winter? And with the ease of our in-store kiosks, the London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android, or our website, you can select from multiple print options for your best frosty photographs! Turn your pictures into stunning wall decor, a case for your electronics or even customize a 2019 calendar for your work desk! Don’t forget to check out our winter photography tips before you head out on your next photo adventure!
