Winnipeg

Visiting Winnipeg in February is for the brave, but the city rewards those who can handle the cold with genuine prairie hospitality. Currently, the city is celebrating the 'Festival du Voyageur' (mid-to-late February), which is the largest winter festival in Western Canada, featuring snow sculptures, live fiddle music, and 'caribou' drinks. For backpackers, the scene is relatively small; there are very few hostels, and your budget will likely be spent on affordable Airbnbs or lower-end hotels. To save money, stick to the numerous free museums or the Forks National Historic Site, where you can walk through the indoor market without spending a dime. Street food isn't common because of the sub-zero temperatures, but cheap eats can be found in the West End, where a vibrant immigrant community offers Ethiopian, Vietnamese, and Filipino dishes at great prices. Public transit is functional but chilly, so timing your movements with the bus schedule app is essential. A daily budget of $55 will cover a basic private room in a shared house, grocery shopping at No Frills, and a few bus tickets to get you between the Exchange District and the Osborne Village nightlife.