We are looking forward to a good winter this year.

The correct answer is C. Hoping.

The other options are incorrect because:

• A. Encouraging is not the same as hoping. Encouraging is to give someone support or confidence, while hoping is to desire something to happen.
• B. Getting is not the same as hoping. Getting is to acquire something, while hoping is to desire something to happen.
• D. Predicting is not the same as hoping. Predicting is to make a forecast about what is likely to happen, while hoping is to desire something to happen.
• E. Visualising is not the same as hoping. Visualising is to create a mental image of something, while hoping is to desire something to happen.

In the sentence “We are looking forward to a good winter this year,” the speaker is expressing their desire for a good winter. This is a statement of hope, not encouragement, getting, predicting, or visualising.