Winter Activities

In two days it will be December and therefore undeniably winter. I don't hate winter but am not a big fan of it either. I prefer to be cold than hot, but the degree to which it gets cold here in Canada, Ottawa to be specific, is almost unbearable at times. This year I am going to try an take in the winter activities a bit more than I have in the past but don't really know everything there is to do in the winter months. I know there is skating on the canal and Winterlude when it comes in February, but that is pretty much all I know. What do you enjoy doing during winter in Ottawa? I am also looking to practice my photography during the winter. I have very few winter pictures as I tend not to want to go out when it is that cold and am not the greatest at dealing with the white-white snow. Is there any place in Ottawa that you know of that looks really great and prestine during the winter months?