Which Canadian city for a short family hockey trip?

[CantHaveTkachev]

I bet we get fewer days of those temps than Vancouver or Victoria get rain in the winter. The norm...rofl.

I get it though....you like to slag on Alberta.

that's his MO...never seen a guy hate a place he lives more than him

must be a miserable life

 

[BahlDeep]

On the surface, I wouldn’t seem like the cheapest option, but go to Toronto.

Leafs are at home to the ducks on the 17th, they are away for the rest of your trip timeline, for what it’s worth. But don’t go to Toronto for a leafs game.

Go to Buffalo. ducks are in Buffalo on the Monday, 19th. Rent a car and drive down. It’s a matinee game, 12:30 pm start. So you won’t be driving back in the middle of the night.
Marlies are at home on the 17th and 19th.
And the Mississauga Steelheads are at home the 17th, 19th and 23rd to Kingston, Owen Sound (wupwup) and Niagara.

Toronto is your best bet for the most hockey action in one place at one time.
Then you’ve got the hockey hall of fame, which is an amazing experience.
There is tons of other sports and non sports things to do and see.
And you don’t have to stay at the Royal York and have 5 star dinning. With a little homework and early bookings you can find hotels that are fairly reasonable and there is tons of great dining options that won’t break the bank.

And than you file for bankruptcy

 

[Phrasing]

I think Montreal is the best mix of hockey experience and tourist-worthy trip of you don’t mind the weather. It’s more unique compared to anything else you will experience in N.A. And will balance both desires to have a trip to experience Canada and hockey. Next recommendation would be Vancouver if you want a milder climate but with also plenty to offer tourists as a global destination.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg are frozen, depression inducing wastelands at that time of year. Montreal and Toronto have their pros and cons.

Montreal has a very similar climate to Edmonton and Calgary in late febuary. Toronto is warmer and Winnipeg is much colder.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

No Canadian city is great to see in the winter. But I would personally recommend Montreal. I think its the most interesting city in Canada by a long shot. The Bell center by all accounts is incredible, and Montreal just has alot going on. Vancouver is technically the "warmest" city in the winter, but I think is one of the most miserable with the constant drizzle and overcast. I would take sun over a slighty warmer weather.

 

[Tryblot]

Definitely calgary.

Actually, I'd make banff your trip with a sidetrip to Calgary for some hockey games. It's only an hour drive.

 

[Three On Zero]

You’re on some shit if you think -50 is the normal temperature in Calgary or Edmonton at any given point of the year.

Normal that it can reach those temperatures, not an everyday normal

 

[Ninety7]

Normal that it can reach those temperatures, not an everyday normal

We’re all sure that’s what you meant

The context of the post which you were replying to quite clearly suggests that you meant it happens more frequently than not. Either that or you genuinely don’t have any reading comprehension skills.

But you continue to back track!

 

[WPGDEVILS]

Unpopular opinion but Winnipeg will be cheap with games against the wild, coyotes and blues. There’s also the festival de voyageur during that time which is one of the biggest winter festivals in all of Canada and is great for all ages. Great skating on the red river but you’re kinda just hoping it’s not -30

Montreal has a very similar climate to Edmonton and Calgary in late febuary. Toronto is warmer and Winnipeg is much colder.

Late February somehow seems to be the coldest time of year

 

[SheldonJPlankton]

Another benefit to Montreal is that it's fairly close to most of the Northeast US NHL cities.

If you don't want to fly internationally or looking to save money, you can always fly into Newark, NYC or Boston and be in Montreal after a 6-7 hour drive.

 

[ORRFForever]

Montreal

 

[SimpleSimon]

Unpopular opinion but Winnipeg will be cheap with games against the wild, coyotes and blues. There’s also the festival de voyageur during that time which is one of the biggest winter festivals in all of Canada and is great for all ages. Great skating on the red river but you’re kinda just hoping it’s not -30


Late February somehow seems to be the coldest time of year

I would say January. In Winnipeg we have run into a lot of problems with the Festival de Voyageur with the snow sculptures melting and closures of the skating paths along the Red and Assiniboine rivers in February because of melting ice.

 

[Habsfunk]

I'll vote for Calgary for the week you mentioned. They've got home games against the Jets and Bruins, and then play in Edmonton on Saturday, so you could make the trip there to enjoy the Battle of AlbertA and McDavid, then fly home from Edmonton. But the real reason to go there is the proximity to the Rockies. In one hour, you can experience some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world - even better than the Colorado Rockies. And Banff isn't too busy in the winter, at least not compared to summer.

Any other time, I'd recommend Montreal, simply because it's the best city in Canada and going to see a game in Montreal is just a great experience.

Edit: I'm surprised in a hockey forum people are so afraid of a little cold weather. Suck it up!

 

[PlayersLtd]

Ridiculous, all these people leading you astray. The answer is Montreal and it isn't even close.

Go see the Sabres Canadians at the Bell Centre on the 21st of February and it will be one of the greatest spectating experiences of your life. The Canadians and the Bell Centre are the absolute pinnacle in North America. The atmosphere will blow your mind, especially if they are still playing well and in the playoff race. Spine tingling stuff that you will never forget.

On top of that Montreal has excellent outdoor hockey rinks which would be cool for your son to see or do and it is BY FAR the most interesting city in Canada, winter included.

If 5 days is too much head over to Ottawa and take in the Vegas SENS game on the 24th, or head up to Quebec City and take in a nice jr. rivalry game between the Ramparts and the Halifax Moosehead on the 25th. Quebec City is absolutely stunning and the Ramparts have some of the best attendance in all of Jr hockey.

Disclaimer- I'm not a Habs fan but no one in their right mind can say it won't be an unreal experience.

 

[Macman]

Toronto, easy. Hockey Hall of Fame. Great restaurants, shopping, museums and galleries. Broadway-type theatre, if you’re into that. Diverse culture. Lots to see and do around the arena, including CN Tower and hall of fame. Direct three-hour flights from Denver. Easy train ride from airport to downtown Toronto. Expensive, yes, but what isn’t these days?

 

[umma gumma]

Gotta be Montreal. No question. Coming from the States Toronto won't feel that different as its trying to be New York. Montreal is 2 hours from Ottawa and 2 hours from Quebec city, and a fantastic city all around. NHL, AHL, OHL, QJMHL, winter carnivals and festivals up and down that stretch. Will be much cheaper too. You'll pay and arm and a leg in Toronto. Can't speak for the Western cities.

 

[blankall]

OP is going with a 13 year old kid. That kid will be bored to tears in Montreal and Ottawa. Yes great culture, architecture, food, but the kid won't care about that.

Edmonton and West Edmonton Mall is a good choice. Vancouver has whistler. Calgary has Banff. Toronto is a big city. None of the cities have a pre game sporting experience like American cities. Sports culture in Canada is pretty weak compared to the USA.

 

[Kosseca]

OP is going with a 13 year old kid. That kid will be bored to tears in Montreal and Ottawa. Yes great culture, architecture, food, but the kid won't care about that.

Edmonton and West Edmonton Mall is a good choice. Vancouver has whistler. Calgary has Banff. Toronto is a big city. None of the cities have a pre game sporting experience like American cities. Sports culture in Canada is pretty weak compared to the USA.

Dude... its easy to entertain a kid in MTL.

he's into star wars?? Go train as a jedi: Saber Combat in Montreal - The Force Academy
he's like animals: go to the biodome: https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome
he wants to move? go skate: The Old Port skating rink | Old Port of Montréal
you can hit ski slopes or find incredible X-ski trail within 45m/1h from downtown MTL too

these are just random ideas... easy to find more.

 

[blankall]

Dude... its easy to entertain a kid in MTL.

he's into star wars?? Go train as a jedi: Saber Combat in Montreal - The Force Academy
he's like animals: go to the biodome: https://espacepourlavie.ca/en/biodome
he wants to move? go skate: The Old Port skating rink | Old Port of Montréal
you can hit ski slopes or find incredible X-ski trail within 45m/1h from downtown MTL too

these are just random ideas... easy to find more.

Lol. Those ideas suck.

 

[Kosseca]

Lol. Those ideas suck.

You opinion too lol

 

[Craig Ludwig]

Montreal and Ottawa. If you can stay at the Sheraton on Rene Levesque street, the Arena is a few hundred yards away and it is very central to everything. In terms of food, there is no other in Canada like Montreal, like a mini New York. Ottawa is great in the winter, 2 hour drive away. Great museums and you'll likely be able to skate the canal (smack downtown) which is fantastic. Westin Ottawa would be best because it is very close to canal, attached to Mall, and the Byward market (central for fun restaurants and activities). Chateau Laurier Hotel very nice also, great history there and right beside Westin. Happy to answer any other questions you may have. Previous posts mentioned Banff (Calgary) and Whistler (Vancouver) but if you're there mainly for hockey, do that trip when it's not hockey-centric because it is beautiful scenery.

 

[blankall]

You opinion too lol

An unlicensed star wars Jedi training likely filled with middle age LARPers and a biodome? There's no way that would entertain a 13 year old for several days.

 

[Jack Spider]

You didnt just compare f***ing whistler and Mont Saint Bruno

Lol I didn't. I just mentioned that there is a mountain 20 minutes away from Montreal if skiing was a make or break for this hockey trip.

 

[frankdave]

Montreal has real poutine

Nuff said !

 

[denverdevil]

Thanks for the continued suggestions! There’s a lot to think about here.

I’ll just note again that we’re in Colorado, not a desert, so while -50 wouldn’t be fun, we’re not too afraid of some cold. (Not even in our top 5 criteria in the original post. )