The heart of Mississauga is set for a dramatic winter transformation as the APIK winter action sports festival returns to Celebration Square for a thrilling three-day run. From January 30 to February 1, 2026, the downtown core will morph into a massive, custom-built urban snowpark, offering free admission to the public for a weekend of high-energy competition and family-friendly festivities.
A Towering Feat of Winter Engineering
Constructed exclusively for the event over 12 days, the temporary snowpark is an engineering marvel built directly in the city center. This year's installation raises the bar significantly, standing at a towering 45 feet tall—roughly the height of a three-storey building and eight feet taller than the previous year. The structure stretches 292 feet in length, nearly the length of a football field, and is built using approximately 3,500 cubic metres of snow, equivalent to an astounding 350,000 shovel loads.
The course features eight specialized rail features designed for technical performance, requiring more than 800 staff hours to complete. This urban ski hill brings the mountain experience directly into the metropolitan core, a bold vision brought to life by event producer TRIBU in collaboration with presenting partner Visit Mississauga.
World-Class Competition and Festival Atmosphere
Nearly 100 elite skiers and snowboarders from the Greater Toronto Area, across Canada, and around the globe will compete on the purpose-built course. Athletes will showcase high-impact tricks and technical skill while vying for a share of a $100,000 total prize purse, which is equally split between men and women. The top prize is substantial, with first-place winners in both skiing and snowboarding disciplines each taking home $10,000.
Beyond the competition, Celebration Square will buzz with festival energy. The site will feature live DJs, dynamic lighting, food trucks, and pop-up vendors. Families can enjoy free snowskate lessons, a dedicated little riders course for kids, the Visit Mississauga Game Zone, and an outdoor winter beer garden. A live webcast hosted by Craig McMorris will run throughout the weekend, with expert commentary from ski specialist Kim Lamarre on Saturday and snowboard specialist Mikey Ciccarelli on Sunday.
Building on a Vision for Urban Excitement
This marks the second successful collaboration between TRIBU and Visit Mississauga, building on the momentum of the summer JACKALOPE Action Sports Festival. Victoria Clarke, CEO of Visit Mississauga, expressed enthusiasm for the event's return, highlighting its timing alongside the Scotties Tournament of Hearts to make Mississauga a premier winter sports destination.
"We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to Celebration Square for the second year of this incredible winter event," Clarke said. "This free, family-friendly experience brings the energy of world-class competition directly to downtown Mississauga... families can spend the weekend making memories together."
Micah Desforges, CEO of TRIBU, emphasized the event's core mission: "TRIBU is about reimagining what’s possible in urban spaces. Bringing a full-scale ski hill into downtown Mississauga for just three days creates a powerful sense of energy and excitement."
The festival is delivered in collaboration with The North Face and in association with Corbetts Ski + Snowboard. APIK Mississauga 2026 promises to be a landmark winter event, transforming public space into a dynamic playground and showcasing elite athleticism in the heart of the city.
