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Published: 1/9/26
Your Complete Ottawa Winter Packing List
If you’re headed to Ottawa, Ontario this winter and running into some packing headaches, you’re probably here to peep inside my suitcase from my February 2025 trip to the Canadian capital city. As Minnesota-based winter enthusiast, I’m here to make sure you pack everything you need for a fun, cozy winter Ottawa visit.
Just a word of warning; when it came time for my Ottawa trip, I didn’t go light. I went straight for my biggest suitcase and stuffed it full of snow pants, ice skates, winter boots, and yes, even some fancy dress for an afternoon tea date at Chateau Laurier. I firmly believe the secret to enjoying winter is proper clothing and I didn’t want to miss out on any of Ottawa’s fun winter activities because I forgot to pack something.
Don’t worry, I’m not just going to tell you to pack “warm clothes” in this Ottawa winter packing list. I’m sharing exactly which brands and styles, including a rundown of all the best need-to-have Canada winter clothing and gear. At the bottom of this post, there’s printable PDF Ottawa winter packing list to further assist you as you pack.
Grab your big suitcase and let’s get you all set for a perfect winter visit to Ottawa or greater Canada!
Ottawa Winter Packing Necessities
Winter Clothing– Kind of a no-brainer, but if you’re visiting Ottawa in the months of December, January, February, or March, you need to bring your winter coat, boots, hat, mittens, and a scarf at the very least. (And before you decide you don’t need those items for a November or April, be sure to check the weather forecast!) Don’t worry, I break down the specifics of what you’ll need, down to my favorite mittens, parkas, and boots below.
Wool base layers – It has come to my attention that people who aren’t from Minnesota or Canada think that pulling a cotton sweatshirt over your cotton t-shirt is what we mean when we tell you to wear layers in winter. It is not. To actually stay warm and enjoy yourself outside, start with a midweight merino wool base layer.
Snow pants– You don’t have to squeeze into the bib overall snowpants from your childhood, but a fleece lined, waterproof pants like these from Eddie Bauer is the key to being able to stay outside in the winter for extended periods of time.
Swimsuit and sandals – No, this isn’t a copy and paste error. The largest spa in North America, Nordik, is just a quick 20 minute drive across the Ottawa River in Chelsea, Quebec. You don’t want to miss out just because you forgot a swimsuit!
(We did both forget flip-flops and let me tell you, hotel slippers are not the answer if you find yourself in this predicament!)
Ice skates – If you’ve got ’em, pack ’em! A spin on the Rideau Canal Skateway is the ultimate Ottawa winter activity and there are several other skate trails in the area including Patinage en Foret, RiverOak, and Icelynd.
Headlamp – Winter days are pretty short in Canada and we often ended up on the Rideau Canal Skateway after dark. Much of the canal is not brightly lit and we really wished we’d thought to throw in a headlamp to help spot rough ice or other hazards.
Passport – I live very close to the Canadian border near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and sometimes forget that it’s a foreign country? Don’t do that! If you’re a U.S. citizen visiting Canada, you definitely need to bring your passport with!
My Canada Luggage
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Victorinox Roller Bag |
Camelbak H.A.W.G Backpack |
Pacsafe Convertible Backpack |
 Victorinox Swiss Army Spectra 2.0 Medium Hardside Expandable Upright Luggage Red |
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 Pacsafe Women’s Citysafe Cx Anti Theft Convertible Backpack-Fits 10″ Tablet, Black |
Checked luggage – Since I didn’t want to wear my winter boots on the plane from Thunder Bay to Ottawa and I was also bringing my hockey skates, it quickly became apparent that I’d be checking my medium 27″ tall Victorinox Roller Bag. Besides, I wanted plenty of room for all the requisite ketchup chips I’d be buying in Canada.
Carry-on – The H.A.W.G Mil Spec Backpack is my go-to carry-on because it fits easily under the seat in front and is large enough to hold a change of clothes and packable winter coat.
Personal item– My convertible Pacsafe Backpack came in clutch on the Rideau Canal because I could use it to carry around a water bottle and other skating trail essentials. If I’d been smart, I would have stocked it with a headlamp and a small first aid kit.
Outerwear
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Midweight Winter Jacket DSG Outerwear Women’s Avid 2.0 Ice Fishing Jacket – Waterproof, Insulated, Floatation Jacket |
Snow Pants  Eddie Bauer Women’s 2.0 Polar Fleece-Lined Pants, Black, 18, Tall |
Slip On Boots |
Winter jacket – After peeking at Ottawa’s weather forecast and seeing lows in the low teens (Fahrenheit), I opted for my midweight winter jacket. (I also have a parka and a packable down jacket.) I wear the DSG Avid Jacket which is the perfect winter jacket to about -5F and also has really thoughtfully designed and placed pockets.
Snow pants – These waterproof lightweight, fleece-lined pants were perfect for night skates with leggings or long underwear will also do the trick.
Winter boots – I wasn’t planning on doing any winter hiking in Ottawa, but I certainly wasn’t going to head to a winter destination without a pair of winter boots in tow. I threw in my slip-on Schnee Montana II Pac Boots and they kept my feet toasty warm on walks down to the Rideau Canal and navigating Ottawa streets during a blizzard that dumped 15″ of snow on the city overnight.
One note: these definitely weren’t made for walking around for extended periods of time. I really wished I had some insoles to slip inside my boots when I ended up wearing these around the National Gallery of Canada on a snowy day.
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Sneakers |
Fleece Lined Leggings Title Nine Crash Tight – Women’s Fleece-Lined Winter Leggings |
Ice Skates |
Sneakers – I really didn’t want to have my feet stewing in winter boots during our time at the airport and on the two-hour flight, so I did end up wearing sneakers on the plane. Since Ottawa keeps their sidewalks quite clear and these shoes are waterproof, they worked well for exploring Ottawa museums and the Houses of Parliament on non-blizzard days.
Fleece lined leggings – I love my Title Nine Crash leggings for any outdoor winter activities like cross-country skiing or skating. Since these come in purple, they were the perfect winter pants to wear when I skated down the Rideau Canal to TD Place for Minnesota Frost vs Ottawa Charge hockey game. Granted, now that I know how rabid Ottawa PWHL fans are, I might not wear Frost colors in Ottawa again . . . . J/K – You can’t scare me, Ottawa!
Ice Skates – I don’t really recommend going out and buying a pair of ice skates just for a trip to Ottawa, but if you’ve been thinking about buying, now is the perfect time because Ottawa in winter means a lot of time in ice skates. (Also, rental skates are the worst.) I packed my beloved Bauer Air 90s (circa 1999) which are both sadly discontinued and on their last legs. The nice thing about having your own skates in Ottawa is that you can skate whenever and for however long you like since the Rideau Canal Skateway is open 24/7.
Don’t forget some skate guards and if you have any issues with your arches, try some skate insoles.
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Winter Hat  PAGE ONE Womens Winter Ribbed Beanie Crossed Cap Chunky Cable Knit Pompom Soft Warm Hat Rose Red |
Scarf |
Mittens  |
Stocking cap – You won’t want to head outside in Ottawa without a beanie or stocking hat. Don’t be surprised if you hear a Canadian refer to it as a toque!
Mittens or winter gloves – I’ve always worn buckskin chopper-stype mitts with removable 100% wool liner mittens. When the liner mittens wear out, I just make (or buy) a new pair! Outdoor Research mittens or Swix gloves are also good options if you don’t share my “old man in a forest” winter aesthetic.
Fleece gaiter or scarf – One final extra layer to add is a fleece gaiter or scarf around your neck. If I’m going to be active outside, I prefer a fleece gaiter since it stays in place better than a scarf.
Clothing
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Down Vest  |
Wool Sweater  |
Fleece Jacket  Cotopaxi Abrazo Hooded Full-Zip Fleece Jacket – Women’s Wine/Rosewood Small |
Down vest – Yes, Ottawa is a wintery destination, but it definitely doesn’t qualify as frigid. While you might think you’ll want a lightweight down vest to boost your jacket’s warmth, a more likely scenario in Ottawa is that your jacket gets too warm mid-skate, hike, or ski. A vest and fleece jacket might be the perfect weight for outdoor play at just below freezing temps.
Wool sweater – A nice 100% wool sweater is both functional and stylish. They’ll keep you warm and cozy whether you’re ripping down a skating path or spending the day exploring Ottawa’s excellent museums.
Full zip fleece jacket – A fleece jacket or pullover like the ones from Cotopaxi or Patagonia are another great mid-layer. I really like them for outdoor-focused days or for travel days.
Jeans – A pair of whatever you consider “real pants” (for me that’s jeans) are in order for your Ottawa trip. Winter in Ottawa might be outdoorsy, but this is still an urban destination. You’ll want normal apparel that’s easy to move in for restaurants, museums, and shopping.
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Wool Crew Top  |
Casual Dress |
Wool Socks  Darn Tough Women’s Hiker Boot Midweight Sock (Style 1907) – Eclipse, Large |
Long sleeve wool top – I wear Minus 33 midweight long sleeve merino wool tops all winter long. They’re so cozy and do a great job of wicking moisture. I recommend packing at least two as you’ll wear them as your base layer underneath sweaters and fleece jackets.
Casual dress – I wanted to look respectable for our afternoon tea at ZOE’s in the Chateau Laurier Hotel and a long sleeved, midlength dress is always a great, versatile option. Don’t forget that you also need to pack appropriate shoes (flats are a great option that won’t take up too much room in your suitcase) and I really enjoy wool tights this time of year.
Wool underwear – Think wool underwear sounds weird? Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. They wick moisture and stay fresher so much longer than cotton or synthetic undies.
Wool socks – As long as you’ve invested in good winter boots, you don’t need to worry too much about your socks. Any midweight wool sock, like these from Darn Tough, will do.
Pajamas – Don’t forget your coziest pair of pjs!
Swimsuit– Swimsuits probably aren’t top of mind when packing for an Ottawa winter trip, but you’ll be so sad if you miss out on Nordik Spa in nearby Chelsea, QB. A pair of pool sandals are essential for navigating the outside walkways in between spa areas at Nordik.
Other essentials
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First Aid Kit |
Hand Warmers |
Travel Games  |
A good book – Something about visiting wintery places always puts me in the mind for a good book. Some of my winter reading favorites that seem appropriate for visit to Ottawa include Beartown and Heated Rivalry.
Board games or cards – Another cozy evening activity, whether you’re staying in or checking out one of Ottawa’s drinking holes are card games. My favorite travel games include Phase 10, Five Crowns, and cribbage.
Snacks – If you’re doing a little day tripping in Quebec during your Ottawa visit, it’s not the worst idea to pack some individually packaged, easy to transport snacks like CLIF bars or almonds. I always like to have at least 500 calories on my person whenever I go winter hiking . . . just in case.
Water bottle – If you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time skating or otherwise enjoying an Ottawa winter, you’ll want a water bottle handy to rehydrate.
Small first-aid kit – When we were changing out of our skates late one night in a Rideau Canal warming house, we ended up chatting with the employee of a local hospital who mentioned that they actually do see quite a few people in the local hospitals for bumps and bruises sustained while skating on the Canal. Although there is a first aid station in the Canal, it made me realize I probably should had a small first aid kit with some bandages, compression wraps, and ice packs on me during those long skates just in case.
Headlamp – The Rideau Canal skateway is only illuminated by the ambient light of nearby streetlights and we quickly realized that a headlamp should be a required piece of safety on the skateway after dark. It really would have helped us avoid rough patches and divots. (Happily we avoided taking any tumbles.)
Battery pack – Cold weather zaps your phone’s battery like nothing else, so keep a battery pack handy to avoid your phone doing the dreaded “winter dip” where it goes from 30% battery to dead in about 10 minutes.
Hand warmers – If you don’t want to lug a battery pack around, a cheap trick is to throw a hand warmer in the pocket where you keep your phone to prevent it from get too cold. Bonus: they also obviously will keep your hands warm.
Packable shopping bag – I always like having a packable shopping bag like these Chico bags in my purse. They came in handy when I skated to TD Place arena and needed to check my skates at the coat check.
Sunglasses – I can hear you now . . . “But it’s winter!” Trust me, you haven’t seen glare until you’ve been out on a bluebird day with the sun glinting off a layer of fresh snow. I was very happy to have my Maui Jims along for a sunny skate at Patinage en foret.
Toiletry kit – Nothing exciting in here: toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, razor, etc. etc. Don’t forget the travel packs of Kleenex! This is also the time of year when germs are really spreading like wildfire, so I recommend some travel sized Purell as well as some Xlear Nasal Spray.
Sleep kit – I think everyone needs a little sleep kit of an eye mask, ear plugs, melatonin, magnesium, and/or sleep gummies.
Make-up bag – I often don’t bother with make-up when I travel (case in point: a week in USVI) but since we were doing some fancier things like afternoon tea, I did pack a small bag of mascara, eye shadow, and lip butter.
Conclusion: Get All Packed For Your Ottawa Winter Adventure
While winter weather in Ottawa is much more forgiving than say, Alaska, what makes Ottawa difficult to pack for is the wide variety of scenarios you can find yourself in when visiting Canada’s capital in the longest, coldest season.
Sure, it’s probably outdoor activities like skating the Rideau Canal that drew you to Ottawa in the winter, but with museums, visits to Parliament, spas, and afternoon tea dates, you can’t just pack a parka and some snow pants and call it a day. There’s a reason packing for an Ottawa winter trip can be such a bulky challenge.
I hope this post helped you sort out the confusion of the various clothing needs you might have during your Ottawa trip. Just print out my packing list above and follow it along as you pack to ensure you have all the Canada winter clothing and gear essentials for an unforgettable adventure in Ottawa’s winter wonderland!
