Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador combines a diverse range of winter activities with extraordinary landscapes and significant cultural sites.

Winter activities in the destination

Winter offerings include downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and dog sledding, as well as groomed and remote winter trails. The options go beyond the ski slopes: you can tailor your trip to your preferred focus, whether you want to ski or are looking for another winter activity. When choosing accommodation, it is therefore important to consider which of the activities mentioned is the main focus of your trip. When searching for accommodation, it helps to first identify the activities and destinations that matter to you.

Landscapes, geology and wildlife

In Gros Morne National Park, the Tablelands are a rare exposure of the Earth’s mantle. The rock was pushed up half a billion years ago. A hike up Gros Morne Mountain follows a challenging, 17-kilometre day loop from the lowlands into an alpine landscape. The route thus connects two distinct types of landscape on one hike; its length and difficulty are important considerations when planning your day.

At the other end of the island of Newfoundland, Mistaken Point lies at the southeastern tip. The site encompasses a 17-kilometre stretch of rugged coastal cliffs. More than 100 fossil-bearing rock surfaces contain fossils dating from 580 to 541 million years ago. The Rookery Trail at Mistaken Point leads to high cliffs, where nesting seabird colonies and whales can be observed.

Torngat Mountains National Park offers rugged peaks, glacier-carved fjords and waters dotted with icebergs. Polar bears and caribou live there. At the same time, the park is the traditional homeland of the Inuit of Labrador and Nunavik. Those interested in nature and Inuit history will find a different focus here than at the fossil sites or historic locations on the island of Newfoundland.

Hiking, water and nature experiences

Terra Nova National Park has 80 kilometres of hiking trails. The park is also designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. This designation is a distinct part of its profile, alongside its trails and on-the-water opportunities. You can paddle along sheltered coves and inlets in your own kayak, a rented one or one accompanied by a guide.

You can also explore Trout River Pond and Bonne Bay in your own canoe or kayak in Gros Morne National Park. Guided tours are available for sea kayaking in Newfoundland and Labrador, and may offer opportunities to observe whales and icebergs and explore waterfalls, abandoned fishing villages and bird colonies. Comparing these options means considering different waterscapes and experiences.

Signal Hill National Historic Site combines several hiking trails with panoramic views and striking scenery. Signal Hill was also the site of military conflicts and technological breakthroughs. In the summer months, whales, icebergs and seabirds may be visible in the waters. Nature watching and an interest in the site’s history can therefore be considered different reasons for visiting.

Cultural sites and history

L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is the only authenticated Norse site in North America and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located at the northern tip of the island of Newfoundland, at the end of the Viking Trail, Route 430. At the Viking Encampment, visitors can try blacksmithing and weaving and talk with performers playing Viking roles. Norstead, a recreated Viking trading port, is two kilometres from L’Anse aux Meadows. Activities there include a traditional Norse game, axe throwing, yarn spinning and pottery classes, as well as a replica of the Viking ship Snorri.

Red Bay was an important Basque whaling port, founded by whalers from Spain and France; today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Red Bay National Historic Site visitor centre displays an eight-metre-long chalupa, which whalers used at sea to harpoon whales, as well as assembled whale bones. The Rooms, Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest public cultural space, houses the province’s most extensive collection of artifacts, artworks and archival holdings.

For a closer look at the region, visit Corner Brook. Find more destination pages for Quebec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

For the broader travel overview: Canada.