Admissions blog: Winter activities in Toronto

It's no secret that Toronto gets quite cold during the winter. But that doesn't stop first-year medical student, Kimberly Young, from taking in all that this city has to offer.  Below, Kim shares two of her favourite winter activities.  

If there’s one thing that Toronto’s top bloggers could agree on, it’d be the fact that one’s holiday season in Toronto is not complete without a quick jaunt to the Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery Historic District. Whether you want to do some last minute Christmas shopping at one of the many small stores, grab a delicious bite to eat from a food vendor, or capture some quick snaps for your social media platforms, the Toronto Christmas Market has it all. Admission is free except on the weekend and Fridays after 5 pm, so it’s a perfect place to visit after classes or on your day off!

Downtown Toronto offers many outdoor activities for those who dare brave the cooler temperatures. This includes several venues that offer outdoor skating! A popular spot is at Nathan Phillips Square, where the rink is conveniently located adjacent to the infamous Toronto sign. While you’re there, you can also enjoy the Holiday Fair, food trucks, and a close-up view of Toronto’s City Hall. Another popular spot for outdoor skating is at the Natrel Rink, located at the Harbourfront Centre (pictured above). Here, you can skate while getting a nice view of Lake Ontario and the city skyline. Additionally, from December to February, Saturday evenings from 8-11 pm feature DJ Skate Night! Show off your skating skills to the beat of some of your favourite songs with a different DJ each week. Finally, Toronto recently debuted the Bentway Skate Trail - a 220 metre outdoor trail located underneath the Gardiner Expressway (one of the highways that take you in/out of Downtown Toronto). So, bring your skates or rent them (all 3 locations offer skate rentals), get laced up, and work off some steam with recreational skating!