Moncton in February

February weather, activities, events & insider tips

February Weather in Moncton

-2°C (28°F) High Temp

-12°C (10°F) Low Temp

84 mm (3.3 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is February Right for You?

Advantages

Peak winter festival season - Hubcap Comedy Festival runs February 6-9, 2025 with indoor venues keeping crowds comfortable during the city's coldest month
Lowest accommodation rates of the year - hotels drop prices 30-40% compared to summer, with downtown properties averaging $89-129 CAD ($66-96 USD) per night
Magnetic Hill ski conditions at their absolute best - 45-60 cm (18-24 inches) base depth with fresh powder most weeks, plus shortest lift lines of the season
Authentic Maritime winter culture - ice fishing on Petitcodiac River, snowshoeing Centennial Park's 8 km (5 miles) of groomed trails, and traditional sugar shack visits during maple syrup season

Considerations

Extreme cold with wind chills reaching -25°C (-13°F) - outdoor sightseeing limited to 15-20 minute intervals before needing indoor warmth
Daylight only 9.5 hours daily - sunrise at 7:45am, sunset by 5:15pm severely limits outdoor photography and activities
Frequent snowstorms disrupt travel - Highway 1 and flights to Halifax face weather delays 4-6 times monthly, requiring flexible itineraries

Best Activities in February

Fundy National Park Winter Hiking

February offers the park's most dramatic winter landscapes with frozen waterfalls and snow-laden trails. The 13 km (8.1 miles) of maintained winter trails provide excellent snowshoeing with minimal crowds. Temperatures stay consistent around -8°C (18°F) during midday, perfect for 2-3 hour excursions. Rangers conduct weekend guided tours explaining winter wildlife adaptations.

Booking Tip: Reserve guided snowshoe tours 1 week ahead through Parks Canada. Snowshoe rentals cost $15-25 CAD ($11-19 USD) daily. Check current trail conditions and book winter programming through the booking widget below.

Magnetic Hill Winter Sports Complex

February delivers peak skiing conditions with consistent -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F) temperatures maintaining perfect snow. The facility operates full winter programs including night skiing until 9pm, taking advantage of February's early darkness. Lift tickets run $45-65 CAD ($33-48 USD) with equipment rentals available on-site.

Booking Tip: Book ski packages 3-5 days ahead for weekend visits. Midweek rates drop 25-30%. Equipment rental and lesson packages typically cost $85-120 CAD ($63-89 USD) per day. See current winter sports options in booking section below.

Downtown Moncton Cultural Indoor Tours

February's harsh weather makes indoor cultural exploration ideal. The Capitol Theatre hosts winter performance series, while Resurgo Place offers heated exhibits on Acadian history. Walking tours focus on underground pedways and heated venues, perfect for -10°C (14°F) days. Tours typically last 2-3 hours with frequent warm-up stops.

Booking Tip: Book cultural tours and theatre tickets 10-14 days ahead - February is peak indoor entertainment season. Walking tours cost $25-40 CAD ($19-30 USD) per person. Check current cultural programming in the booking widget below.

Bay of Fundy Ice Formation Tours

February creates unique ice formations along the Bay of Fundy shoreline impossible to see other times of year. Hopewell Rocks transforms into an ice sculpture gallery with frozen waterfalls and ice-covered rock formations. Tours operate during the warmest part of day (11am-2pm) when temperatures reach -2°C (28°F).

Booking Tip: Reserve ice formation tours 1 week ahead as weather conditions limit availability. Tours cost $35-55 CAD ($26-41 USD) including transportation to viewing areas. Microspikes for ice walking typically included. See current winter Bay tours in booking section below.

Maritime Winter Food Experiences

February marks peak comfort food season with traditional Acadian winter dishes like fricot and tourtière widely available. Heated food tours focus on Maritime specialties perfect for cold weather. Local sugar shacks begin maple syrup production, offering fresh syrup tastings and traditional sugar-on-snow treats.

Booking Tip: Book food tours focusing on heated venues and winter specialties. Tours run $65-85 CAD ($48-63 USD) per person and typically last 3-4 hours with indoor stops every 20 minutes. Current winter food experiences available through booking widget below.

Centennial Park Winter Recreation

February transforms this 200-hectare park into a winter wonderland with 8 km (5 miles) of groomed cross-country ski trails and 12 km (7.5 miles) of snowshoe paths. The artificial lake becomes a skating rink with equipment rentals available. Warming huts positioned every 1.5 km (0.9 miles) provide shelter during -10°C (14°F) days.

Booking Tip: No advance booking needed for trail access, but equipment rentals ($20-35 CAD/$15-26 USD per day) recommended to reserve 24 hours ahead on weekends. Trail maps and current conditions available through local recreation booking platforms in widget below.

February Events & Festivals

February 6-9

Hubcap Comedy Festival

Atlantic Canada's premier winter comedy festival featuring 40+ comedians across 15 venues. Indoor venues provide perfect escape from February cold, with shows running 7-11pm nightly. Local and international acts perform in heated theatres, bars, and community centers throughout downtown.

Mid to Late February

Maple Sugar Festival Season

Traditional Maritime sugar shacks open for the season with maple syrup production demonstrations, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and sugar-on-snow treats. Multiple locations within 30 km (19 miles) of Moncton participate in this regional tradition dating back 200+ years.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Insulated winter boots rated to -25°C (-13°F) with non-slip soles - sidewalks stay icy and you'll walk on frozen ground daily

Heavy winter parka with hood - wind chills drop apparent temperature 8-12°C (14-22°F) below actual readings

Thermal base layers (merino wool or synthetic) - essential for any outdoor activity lasting more than 15 minutes

Waterproof insulated gloves - regular gloves become useless in wet snow conditions common throughout February

Warm hat covering ears - 40% of body heat lost through head, critical when temperatures drop below -10°C (14°F)

Thick wool or synthetic blend socks - cotton socks cause frostbite risk in boots during long outdoor exposure

Hand and foot warmers (disposable) - backup heat source for extended outdoor activities like skiing or hiking

Lip balm with SPF - winter sun reflects off snow, causing severe chapping despite low UV index of 2

Moisturizing lotion - indoor heating drops humidity to 30%, causing skin cracking within 2-3 days

Sunglasses - snow glare during midday sun causes eye strain and temporary vision problems

Insider Knowledge

Monctonians do most outdoor activities between 11am-2pm when sun provides maximum warming - plan skiing, snowshoeing, and sightseeing during this 3-hour window

Downtown underground walkways connect major hotels, shopping, and restaurants - locals use these heated tunnels to avoid surface cold during extended February cold snaps

February accommodation cancellations spike due to weather - call hotels directly 24-48 hours before arrival for last-minute upgrades as Maritime hospitality compensates for harsh conditions

Local Tim Hortons and Irving gas stations serve as unofficial warming stations every 5-8 blocks downtown - socially acceptable to duck in for 5 minutes during walking tours

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating wind chill factor - tourists dress for -5°C (23°F) but feel like -15°C (5°F) due to constant Maritime winds, leading to shortened outdoor activities

Planning full-day outdoor itineraries - February daylight and cold limit effective outdoor time to 3-4 hours maximum, requiring indoor backup plans

Bringing cotton clothing layers - cotton retains moisture and loses insulation when wet, dangerous in February's snow and high humidity conditions