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Canadian Winter Solstice - Long Dark Nights and Cold Winter Days Essentials
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items It was Winter Solstice Week at Pinecone Diaries (pineconediaries.substack.com).
Today’s list features Canadian products from a variety of different themes connected to our Canadian winter solstice, long dark nights, and the start of winter.
Sections
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Dark-Sky Parks & Stargazing (unfortunately I haven't been able to find made-in-Canada telescopes, but these telescopes are available through reputable Canadian retailers):
Red-light Headlamps:
Canadian-made star charts and astronomy guides
Canadian-Made Insulated Camping Gear for Winter Stargazing
Warm Blankets
Lantern Craft Kits
Dark-Sky Parks & Stargazing (unfortunately I haven't been able to find made-in-Canada telescopes, but these telescopes are available through reputable Canadian retailers):
This 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope offers excellent optics and a computerized GoTo mount. It's a versatile scope suitable for viewing planets and deep-sky objects.
Celestron NexStar 8SE 8" Computerized Telescope - 11069
An 8-inch Dobsonian reflector that provides great views at an affordable price. It's easy to use and offers good light-gathering ability.
Sky-Watcher Classic 200P 8" Dobsonian - S11610
A 5-inch Newtonian reflector with smartphone integration to help locate objects. It's a good balance of quality and ease-of-use for beginners.
BUNDLE: Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Newtonian Reflector Telescope 22461 with Smartphone Holder and 2x Barlow Lens (Save $21!)
A high-quality 61mm apochromatic refractor, ideal for wide-field views and astrophotography.
William Optics Zenithstar 61II APO Space Grey
Red-light Headlamps:
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find made-in-Canada red-light headlamps, but theses ones are sold through reputable Canadian retailers:
This headlamp is designed specifically for astronomers and stargazers to preserve night vision. It features:
- Red LED light only
- Two brightness levels, blinking mode, and SOS setting
- Up to 100 hours of battery life on low setting
- Adjustable 45...
Celestron Night Vision Red LED Headlamp (93581)
While not exclusively a red-light headlamp, the NU25 offers red light functionality along with other features:
- Dual red auxiliary LEDs for night vision preservation
- 400 lumen max output white light
- USB-C rechargeable
- Ultralight at only 45 gra...
Nitecore - NU25 400 Lumen USB Rechargeable Headlamp
This high-end headlamp includes a red light mode among its many features:
- Red light mode for night vision
- Up to 3500 lumens on white light mode
- Rechargeable battery with up to 20 hours runtime
- Adjustable beam focus
- IP68 waterproof rating.
H19R Core Headlamp
Canadian-made star charts and astronomy guides
Published annually by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC), this is an excellent month-by-month guide to the night sky specifically for North American observers.
The 2025 edition is available now from the RASC store.
2025 Night Sky Almanac
Another essential publication from the RASC, this comprehensive annual guide has been published for over a century.
It contains a wealth of information for amateur and professional astronomers. Available from the RASC store.
Observer's Handbook 2025
Written by Canadian astronomer Terence Dickinson, this is considered one of the best introductory astronomy books.
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
This unique guide focuses on Ojibwe star knowledge alongside Western astronomy.
Ojibwe Sky Star Map: Constellation Guide
Canadian-Made Insulated Camping Gear for Winter Stargazing
When it comes to winter stargazing in Canada, having high-quality insulated gear is essential. Here are some of the best Canadian-made options to keep you warm while you observe the night sky.
This Canadian-made winter hot tent is perfect for stargazing, with a mesh roof panel that allows you to view the stars from inside. It's made from durable cotton canvas and is designed to withstand harsh winter conditions.
Esker Arctic Fox Winter Camping Hot Tent - 9x9
The Woods Yukon 10 Insulated Cotton Canvas 5-in-1 Sleeping Bag offers versatile warmth for extreme winter camping and four-season adventures, adaptable as a single, double-wide, or three separate bags.
Designed for comfort and practicality, it provid...
Woods™ Yukon 10 Insulated Cotton Canvas 5-in-1 Cold ...
This iconic Canadian-made MEN's parka is designed for extreme cold weather. It features premium down insulation and a coyote fur-lined hood for maximum warmth.
Expedition Parka
This iconic Canadian-made WOMEN's parka is designed for extreme cold weather. It features premium down insulation and a coyote fur-lined hood for maximum warmth.
Expedition Parka | Canada Goose US
Made from merino wool, this MEN's base layer provides excellent insulation and moisture-wicking properties to keep you warm and dry.
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew - Men's | MEC
Made from merino wool, this Women's base layer provides excellent insulation and moisture-wicking properties to keep you warm and dry.
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Crew - Women's | MEC
Made from merino wool, this bottom Women's base layer provides excellent insulation and moisture-wicking properties to keep you warm and dry.
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottom - Women's | MEC
Made from merino wool, this bottom Men's base layer provides excellent insulation and moisture-wicking properties to keep you warm and dry.
Smartwool Intraknit Thermal Merino Base Layer 3/4 Bottom - Men's | MEC
These made-in-Ontario traditional moose hide mitts offer superior warmth for your hands in extreme cold.
Moose Mitts - Made in Canada
Warm Blankets
These 100% virgin wool blankets are entirely made in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Features include:
- Washed, carded, spun, woven, and dyed on PEI
- Available in various colors and sizes
- Known for their warmth, durability, and softness.
100% Virgin Wool Lap Blanket - Grey
Topsy Farms, located in Ontario, produces 100% Canadian wool blankets. Their blankets are:
- Woven from unbleached Canadian wool
- Washed only in natural soap
- Available in various sizes, including throw and queen sizes
Throw Size Wool Blankets
For those interested in supporting Indigenous artists, several Canadian retailers offer beautiful, warm blankets with Indigenous designs.
First Nations Throw Blanket - Sacred Fire
The Silver Moccasin sells woven blankets featuring Canadian Indigenous artist designs.
Woven Blankets
Lantern Craft Kits
DIY Fairy Lantern Kit: this kit allows you to create 5 magical fairy lanterns.
DIY Fairy Lantern Kit – Create 5 Magical Fairy Lanterns
Crayola Canada offers a Diwali-themed lantern craft kit:
Crayola Canada: Diwali Lanterns craft project with step-by-step instructions
Diwali Lanterns | Crafts For Kids |