Western Canada stopover recommendations (Feb 2026)

[Himeno]

I'm working on my next major holiday plans. Looking to have a stop for a few days in either Calgary, Edmonton or Winnipeg in early Feb before moving on to Ottawa (and then Europe).
I've only been to Vancouver and Toronto before. Any suggestions as to which option would be better at that time of year? (would be planning to connect into the above city from QF75)

 

[RooFlyer]

Out of those three, definitely Calgary. The only thing Edmonton has going for it is the Edmonton Mall which is or was the biggest mall in Canada.. Whooppee. Winnipeg is just a small provincial city with an over abundance of mosquitoes in summer.

Vancouver over Toronto. I lived in Toronto for a couple years but Vancouver still is much more interesting and tourist friendly. Just watch the weather if you’re flying in or out of Vancouver, as the lack of preparedness for major winter storms has always been a failing. But any city in Canada can have it Airport close by bad weather in winter. Don't schedule tight critical connections.

Lake Louise and Banff are nice places to go even if you’re not a skier. Just a couple of hours West out of Calgary on the TransCanada Highway. And once you go that way, you may as well go right across the Rockies through to Revelstoke.

if you are driving in British Columbia or Alberta, they both have good road conditions apps showing any delays, accidents etc.

If you decide on Calgary, I can go into more details of restaurants coffee shops things to do etc. I was in and out of there for about five years. Also Lake Louise and Banff.

 

[SuePa]

My vote is also for Calgary, for all the reasons RooFlyer stated above, although it won't be looking its best at that time of year.
Banff, Lake Louise and other small towns in the Rockies are easily accessible and the area is very scenic.

 

[kileskus]

YEG is a major hub for WestJet and Flair and if cost is a factor it would usually be cheaper to connect there from YVR to YOW. The city itself isn't much unless you want to watch the Oilers (especially if McDavid doesn't sign an extension) or visit northern Alberta and BC, which is worth a visit but not in Feb.

Don't go to Winterpeg.

 

[luxury-lizard]

Here's another idea - from Vancouver take a "tour" (i.e. fly in/out for a couple of days - best done as part of a package) to Whitehorse to see the northern lights (Aurora Borealis)..

 

[RooFlyer]

Or Churchill to see some bears ...Maybe.

 

[kileskus]

February wouldn't be a good time to see bears but would be good for Northern Lights hunting. But yes Churchill is probably the only reason for an international tourist to go to Winnipeg

 

[luxury-lizard]

Re my above post - I actually meant Yellowknife (not Churchhill) - easier to get to ex-YVR