Winterlude
An ice sculpture bearing the Winterlude logo.
GenreWinter festival
BeginsFebruary 2, 2024 (2024-02-02)
EndsFebruary 19, 2024 (2024-02-19)
FrequencyAnnually
VenueConfederation Park
Jacques Cartier Park
Rideau Canal Skateway
Location(s)Ottawa, Ontario
Gatineau, Quebec
CountryCanada
Inaugurated1979 (1979)
Previous eventFebruary 3 - 20, 2023
Next eventFebruary 2 - 19, 2024
Organised byCanadian Heritage
WebsiteWinterlude

Winterlude is an annual winter festival held in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec (collectively known as the National Capital Region).

Winterlude is run by the Department of Canadian Heritage and was started in 1979. The event is one of Ottawa's most important tourist draws, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. In 2007, it set a new attendance record of an estimated 1.6 million visits to one of the four Winterlude sites, and that record still stands as of 2024.[1] BizBash has recognized Winterlude as one of the top 100 annual attractions in Canada and the United States[2]

Activities

Attractions

The focal point of Winterlude is the Rideau Canal Skateway which at 7.8 kilometres (approximately 5 miles) is the largest skating rink in the world.

Another primary site is the Snowflake Kingdom, which is located in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau. This site is turned into a massive "snow park" with ice slides and snow sculptures and also hosts numerous events and activities for children.

Confederation Park, better known as Crystal Garden, is the site for the ice sculpture competition, the ice lounge and musical concerts. Marion Dewar Plaza at City Hall (across from Confederation Park) is the site of the Rink of Dreams, an ice-skating rink that hosts skating shows, DJ dance parties and interactive art displays throughout the Festival. Dow's Lake also has a large skating area and hosts various activities.

Related activities include special exhibits at numerous Ottawa museums, special events in the ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and a variety of other events throughout the city.

The festival features mascots called "Ice Hogs," fictional groundhog-like creatures. Legend has it they emerged during the last Ice Age from a magical ice vortex. Their presence brings a touch of magic to Winterlude, delighting both young and old who appreciate the winter season.[3]

Corridas Several racing events are held in conjunction with Winterlude. The Gatineau Loppet, inaugurated in 1979, is an internationally recognized cross-country ski race that takes place in Gatineau Park. The event also holds snowshoe and Fatbike races.[4] Since 1984, the Winterlude Triathlon has also been part of the festival. The format and location of the winter triathlon has changed frequently over the years. The race currently consists of a 8 km skate across the Rideau Canal, a 5 km run along Colonel By Drive, and a 6 km ski at Mooney's Bay Park.[5] Other race events include "bed racing" and "ice dragon boat" racing.[6][7]

Duration

Winterlude lasts for three weekends, usually the first three weekends in February. Very few events take place from Monday to Thursday in between weekends 1 and 2, and weekends 2 and 3. This means that the skating rink is much less crowded and that the ice stays in a near pristine condition for much of the day, with only a thousand or so skaters sharing it instead of the greater numbers during the weekend. The skate changing shacks and food catering kiosks scattered along the length of the skateway, at the same level as the ice, are open during the week.

The weather in Ottawa is notoriously unpredictable, and Winterlude often is hampered by warm temperatures. Mild weather is the bane of the Canal, as proper ice conditions require -10 °C/14 °F for proper freezing. The length of the skating season (which often extends past Winterlude) is therefore unpredictable. However, most events are usually not affected other than premature melting of ice and snow sculptures. The average length to which the canal is open for skating is 50 days, but varies greatly. In the 2001–2002 season there was a (then) record low 34 days of skating. The very next season, 2002–2003, the canal was open for a near-record high 72 days. The longest skating season was 1971–1972, lasting 95 days. The shortest was 2015–2016, lasting just 18 days.[8]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2007: 1.6 million visitors attend Winterlude". Canadian Heritage. 22 November 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  2. ↑ "StackPath". 6 November 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  3. ↑ "Winterlude mascots — the Ice Hog Family". Canadian Heritage. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  4. ↑ "The Greatest International Event of Cross-Country Ski in Canada". Gatineau Loppet. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  5. ↑ "Winterlude Over the Years". Government of Canada. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ↑ "Bed Race for Kiwanis Club of Ottawa". Kiwanis Club of Ottawa. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  7. ↑ "Ice Dragon Boat Festival". Ice Dragon Boat Festival. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "History of the Rideau Canal Skateway". National Capital Commission (NCC). Retrieved 10 January 2024.

45°25′N 75°41′W / 45.42°N 75.69°W / 45.42; -75.69

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