Skate Canada Challenge in Winnipeg? Again?
People associate Winnipeg with Slurpees, Honey Dill sauce, and the unofficial slogan, “Welcome to Winnipeg, Where People Drive Halfway Across the City for Cheaper Gas.”
Recently added is the year the city was colder than Siberia in 2013. Last year during Challenge, the temperature was only -35°c (guess where I live) with a windchill of -48°c.
However, Winnipeg’s experiencing a rare warm trend, above zero, plus temperatures. At the end of November. Minus Sunday, November 26th. The Forks is even tapping their fingers, waiting to welcome people to “Rink Under the Canopy.” This trend is expected to continue throughout the upcoming week and during Challenge – November 30th to December 3rd at the Seven Oaks arena.
Without blistering conditions, it’s the perfect time to explore Winnipeg. A city with over 100 languages. A multicultural-entertainment-museum-shopping-restaurant-festivities hub.
Learn first-hand why Winnipeg’s part of “Friendly Manitoba” and more than a Slurpee.
Hockey, anyone? The Manitoba Moose (AHL), and the Winnipeg Jets (NHL) play out of the newly renamed Canada Life Centre located in downtown Winnipeg.
Game Schedules and tickets, all times are CST:
Manitoba Moose vs Rockford Icehogs:
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 7 p.m. – Hockey Fights Cancer
This night’s game supports camps for children with cancer and blood disorders.
Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 2 p.m. – RCMP 150
Celebrating 150 years of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Moose also unveil their first specialty jersey of the season.
Winnipeg Jets vs Edmonton Oilers, Thursday, November 30th at 7 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets vs Chicago Blackhawks, Saturday, December 2nd at 2 p.m.
Winnipeg Jets vs Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, December 4th at 6:30 p.m.
Hot Beverage Week runs from December 2nd to 9th in the Exchange District. The Exchange gets it’s name from the time when Winnipeg was booming, and the city was an economic industry It’s fitting the area’s known for chic shops, cool eats, and arts hub.
Visit the Manitoba Museum, a staple for decades. With Indigenous cultural exhibits, the Nonsuch, and a 1920s area, it’s sure to please anyone’s interest.
Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada – A perfect museum for an aviation buff, featuring 14 galleries and 22 air crafts, and more.
Other notable museums and galleries, are here. Leo Mol and the English Gardens are open all year, and the sculptures glisten under the snow.
A training and competition day calls for delivery. Whether you’re in the mood for pizza or sushi, Tourism Winnipeg created a restaurant listing. Narrow the list by preference. Pizza, gluten free, Italian, vegan.
Heads Up For Those Who Are Celiac/Gluten Intolerant
Restaurant’s can’t make a 110 per cent GF guarantee. However, here are some “so-far, so-good” recommendations.
Kawaii Crepe
This restaurant transforms their homemade, handmade crepes into magical delectable breakfasts, lunches, or dessert with vegan other dietary options.
Pita Pit
Gluten free pita bread, good. Warm healthy vegetables and gluten free protein, good. Pita Pit also offers gluten free sauces
Freshii
Yes, you can make friends with salad. Kale, avocado, rice, beets, even fried beans. Freshii also has wraps, burritos, smoothies, and snacks.
Gluten free recommendations:
Oaxaca Bowl – Nix the crispy Wontons, request cilantro lime sauce
Buddha’s Satay – Nix the crispy Wontons, and ensure the rice noodles are rice-rice (some contain flour, who knew)
Bamboo Bowl – This one doesn’t contain gluten, but it contains milk, fish, and coconut
Let’s Go To the Mall!
Garden City Shopping Centre is a one-minute drive or five-minute walk from the Seven Oaks arena. GC is a one-level mall with mainstream stores such as Michaels and Canadian Tire. Plus clothing and gift shops, restaurants, hairstylists, and a food court.
Other malls in close proximity are CF Polo Park and Grant Park Shopping Centre. Near Winnipeg’s famous intersection, Portage Avenue and Main Street, spend a The Forks and Johnston Terminal going from shop to shop, restaurant to restaurant. A must: a Tall Grass Prairie Cinnamon Bun. At the Johnston Terminal, in the lower level, you’ll find Manitoba’s biggest antique store. They don’t sell old stuff, they sell stories (they’re also not antique road, according to their sign).
It’s the festive season, and Assiniboine Park is showing their holiday spirit with Zoo Lights. Don’t feel like walking through lights? There’s Canad Inns Winter Wonderland in Red River Exhibition Park and drive through 2.5 km of holiday displays. Or catch the Polar Express! Sort of. The CPKC Holiday Train pulls into Winnipeg for a short stop on December 2nd at 9 p.m., stopping at the Panet Road and Molson Street rail crossing. You’ll need a GPS.
If Christmas lights aren’t your thing, there’s the The Leaf at Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg’s latest attraction. Release the butterflies!
This list will be updated throughout the week. How can one plan without outdoor ice?
88888888
Skate Canada Challenge information here
The competition takes place from November 30th to December 3rd at the Seven Oaks Arena in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Skating Scene 