Montreal is proud and beautiful city situated in the Canadian Province of Quebec. It is the largest city in Eastern Canada and the second largest French speaking city on the planet behind Paris. The metropolitan area has over 3.8 million people spread out over 1,600 square miles. Montreal is world renowned for its vibrant and diverse culture. You’ll find many expressions of the city’s culture in the numerous museums, galleries, shows, theaters, and performing arts. During the winter, Montreal becomes a beacon for those looking for outdoor activities. This is a unique city because there is a blend of the dense metropolitan area with a stunning wilderness and landscape on its edges. You’ll find major ski resorts, miles of scenic trails for cross-country skiing, more skating rinks than you can count, and just about every outdoor winter activity you can imagine. Canadians pride themselves on being a country that loves the cold weather and it doesn't show more than with the folks of Montreal. On a cold night you may be curled up with a hot chocolate, while in Montreal they are outdoors soaking in the winter season. One way they love to celebrate winter is with outdoor festivals and events. One of the top events for all ages and backgrounds is Fete des neiges de Montreal.
For over three decades, Fete des neiges de Montreal has been providing memorable outdoor fun for families and all who attend. The festival is held at the picturesque and world famous Parc Jean-Drapeau. This site has been home to everything from Summer Olympic Games to a World's Fair. At the festival, you’ll find a little something from everyone. They feature over 25 different and fun activities that range from ziplines to a ferris wheel. Kids will love guest appearances from kids entertainment characters like Caillou and the multiple live entertainment acts that are great for the whole family. All the activities will work up an appetite, and the festival has food vendors with something for every taste. Make your next family outing one for the ages and make your way to Fete des neiges de Montreal for an experience you’ll never forget. We interviewed Martine Venne, Communications Specialist for Parc Jean-Drapeau, to talk about this fun family event.
RAL: Tell me a little about the festival.
MV: This is the 33rd year of the Fete des neiges de Montreal. This year, we expect over 100,000 participants at the festival. We attract mostly families, 81% percent of them have at least one child and 93% are from Montreal and the surrounding areas. We aim to be the premier winter family event destination in the entire Montreal region. The entire program is intended to promote family fun during the winter in beautiful outdoor Montreal.
RAL: What makes the festival unique?
MV: Parc Jean-Drapeau has a unique location, on two islands in the middle of the St-Lawrence River. It’s a beautiful site full of free activities for families and friends. Everyone gets to experience winter and play outdoors in the snow. This is a very festive event with plenty of free shows, mascots, and attractions for all ages to enjoy.
RAL: Take me through a day at the festival.
MV: Our hours of operation are 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Saturdays and 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays. You can find a complete list of programs and activities on our website. Some of the activities include dog sled rides, tube sliding, zip-lines, a ferris wheel, a giant foosball setup, yoga on the snow, skating, an ice slide, skiing, curling, snowshoeing and so much more. To keep the atmosphere fun, festive, and family-friendly, we have a series of guest appearances. Some of the featured guests this year are Caillou, King Melrose, DJ Jimmy Rancourt, Alain Francois, Tremblay, Simon Morin, Swing and a wide variety of live shows just for kids. With all the fun activities and people to see and meet, you’re likely to work up an appetite. We will have a variety of food trucks and vendors on-site selling their delicious items. A few of the food and drink items available are soup, mulled wine, maple sugar on snow, naan bread sandwiches, churros, hot chocolate, subway sandwiches, bacon, fried oreos and beaver tails.
RAL: What is the overall environment like.
MV: The environment is one of a fun family festival. From all the bright colors to the many activities, it's all catered so the participants have a great experience. It’s an outdoor event so make sure to dress warmly and prepare to have a full day of family fun.
RAL: What can attendees expect to find for local lodging?
MV: While there are no specific lodging deals that are set up for the event, you’ll find a large selection of lodging options to choose from in Montreal. A couple popular lodging providers include Les Saint-Sulpice Hotel Montreal and Hilton Montreal Bonaventure.
RAL: What does the festival mean to the community?
MV: This is the perfect way for people of all ages to get outdoors and experience Montreal’s fun winter activities. The local residents are warm and they welcome visitors to our community. With so many people entering Montreal, almost every business benefits from our festival. Many of the local shops, restaurants, bars, theaters and local attractions see a significant spike in business, directly related to our event.
RAL: Why should people come?
MV: Montreal is a beautiful city to live in and to visit. During the winter the landscape is beautiful and our many outdoor winter activities come into the spotlight. Our festival is a family event unlike any other. It's a great way to get outdoors and meet new people in the community. We have delicious treats and activities for all ages. Bring the family and make memories that last years to come!
For more information on Fete des neiges de Montreal, please visit their website.