Cool charms.

Ski through a hushed urban park... Tour fascinating museums and art galleries... Shop 'til you drop... Catch a symphony concert, a play or a ballet... Go skating on a rink in the heart of downtown. Beautiful beneath a sparkling mantle of snow, some of Canada's cities are especially enchanting in winter.

Always breathtaking, Quebec City literally dazzles at this time of year. Stroll its steep, winding streets and take in the spectacular view from Dufferin Terrace in front of the stately Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. Be sure to check out the innovative exhibits at the Musee de la civilisation and the awesome art at the Musee du Quebec. And if you're looking for outdoor activity, you're in the right place. Skate on the outdoor rink at Carre d'Youville. Go cross-country skiing on the Plains of Abraham. Enjoy fantastic downhill skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne, Stoneham and other nearby ski hills. Try something new on the outskirts of the city, like snowrafting or ice climbing. For one more remarkable experience, head for the Village Igloo in Lac Beauport, just 15 minutes from downtown, for an evening of Inuit folklore around a winter campfire before spending the night in an igloo (418/522-3511 or www.quebecregion.com).

* Indoors and out, Montreal offers a dizzying array of activities in winter. Go window-shopping in the weatherproof Underground City, a 30-kilometre labyrinth of indoor squares and pedestrian corridors lined with stores. Treat your tastebuds to some of the best restaurant meals in North America. Explore the city's 70 kilometres of cross-country ski trails. Head over to the Molson Centre to take in a hockey match with the fabled Montreal Canadiens or a concert by an international rock star. Make your way to the Old Port and wander through all the attractions along the waterfront, wrapping up the day with a skate on the outdoor rink in Bonsecours Basin. Go for a sleigh ride through Old Montreal, roll the dice at the Montreal Casino and join in the fun from January 26 to February 10 as the city's winter carnival, Fete des Neiges, marks its 20th anniversary (1-800-363-7777 or www. tourism-montreal.org).

* The first item on the list of to-dos for Winnipeg visitors is a performance by the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, one of Canada's pre-eminent ballet companies. Culture vultures can also take in lavish Manitoba Opera productions or enjoy the heavenly music of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. And everywhere you turn, you'll find history: at The Forks National Historic Site, in the quaint streets of Old St. Boniface, inside the fascinating Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature... Back outdoors, take a spin on the skating rink at The Forks Market or go snowshoeing through winter landscapes at Fort Whyte Centre. You can also strap on cross-country skis to explore the trails in immense Assiniboine Park or at the Harbour View Recreation Complex. Then get the adrenaline pumping on giant iced toboggan slides that will send you whizzing across the Red River from Fort Gibraltar to the Alexander Street docks (1-800-665-0204 or www.tourism.winnipeg.mb.ca).

* Vancouver buzzes with entertainment and activity at this time of year. Catch some live music at an intimate club, take in a concert by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra or head for the theatre district downtown for a Broadway hit or a quirky comedy. Browse the shops on trendy Robson and Granville streets and in charming Gastown, the city's oldest neighbourhood. Or check out Yaletown, with its hip microbrewery pubs, galleries, restaurants and shops in a revitalized neighbourhood of old brick warehouses. Visit another continent by wandering through Vancouver's vibrant Chinatown. Immerse yourself in the tropical ambience of the Bloedel Floral Conservatory. Get up close and personal with a mix of marine animals at the Vancouver Aquarium's new Wild Coast Exhibit. And, remarkably, downhill skiing is just a stone's throw away, thanks to the runs at three neighbouring mountains, Cypress Bowl, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour. Even if you don't ski, a trip on the Grouse Mountain Skyride offers a fantastic view of t he city and harbour (604/683-2000 or www.tourismvancouver.com).

* Just two hours north of Vancouver, Whistler offers Canada's highest vertical drop, unmatched skiing and snowboarding from November through May -- and so much more. Nestled at the foot of the twin mountains of Whistler and Blackcomb, the European-style resort city boasts a variety of luxurious accommodation, dining and shopping options within minutes of the lifts. Stroll the delightful, pedestrian-only streets, lined with enticing boutiques. Enjoy an eclectic array of international cuisine, from sushi to pub grub, in some of the dozens of restaurants. Book a dogsledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing or heli-skiing trip, Oh, and don't forget to hit the slopes, where there's everything skiers and snowboarders could ask for: the longest vertical drop on the continent, 12 alpine bowls, three glaciers and more than 200 marked trails for all ages and abilities. No wonder Whistler has consistently ranked as the number one ski resort in North America (1-800-WHISTLER or www.tourismwhistler.com).

Northern Beauties

Three glittering gems in the north offer wintertime visitors everything from the northern lights to cozy cafes to dogsled trips. Some highlights:

* From mid-November to mid-April, YELLOWKNIFE is one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights. Other popular pastimes include snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, dogsledding and ice fishing. Back in town, stroll through colourful Old Town, stopping in for sustenance at one of the friendly local cafes (1-800-661-0788 or www.nwttravel.nt.ca).

* Nunavut's rich Inuit culture is on display all over IQALUIT, at places like the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum, with its fine collection of artefacts, and the igloo-shaped St. Jude's Anglican Cathedral, decorated with beautiful crafts. For outdoor adventure, book a trip with one of the outfitters who operate local snowmobile and dogteam treks (1-866-686-2888 or www.nunavuttourism. com).

* WHITEHORSE abounds with distinctive attractions, starting with the MacBride Museum, showcasing everything from the ancient people of Beringia to the Klondike gold rush. Bask in the spirit of the Yukon's people and places by taking in "As The Crow Flies," an entertaining video shown regularly at the Yukon Visitor Reception, or strike out on cross-country ski trails that rank among the best in the country (1-800-789-8566 or www.touryukon.com).