Though some days temperatures drop below 30 degrees celsius, winter in Ottawa is one of my favourite times of the year. Now, I know you are thinking, “Carolyn, you're CRAZY! Ain't nobody got time for freezing cold temperatures that make my face hurt!!” but honestly, Ottawa is the most beautiful when the trees on Wellington St. are blanketed in snow, the 7.8 km Rideau Canal is packed with skaters sporting multicoloured toques and jackets, and the Byward Market restaurants feature Winterlude themed menus! How do I stay warm, you ask? Well, the best part about coming home after a long Sunday spent tobogganing down the big hill at Hog's Back Park is brewing a fresh pot of Teao's Mio! Organic, one of Tealee's original blends. With a ceylon black tea as the base, the rich cocoa and spicy chili peppers pair nicely to warm your whole body with each sip. I recommend grabbing a hazelnut Beaver Tail, too, as the chocolatey topping really brings out the cocoa flavour in the tea. After all that hiking back up the hill, I love to just curl up on the couch under a knitted blanket with a cup of Teao's Mio, my Beaver Tail and a good book (I recommend Terry Fallis's The Best Laid Plans, which is set in Ottawa and features the fictional scandals of Parliament Hill).
Here are 5 other ways to appreciate winter in Ottawa without freezing your toes off:
I agree with Carolyn. Ottawa is such a magical place in the winter. That warm cup of tea that Carolyn recommends sure is the perfect way to end a day of enjoying the culture oh Ottawa.
Carolyn Hebert
Author