February is a difficult month to stay active and on track. It’s cold, usually dark with overcast, grey skies and generally tough for people to stay motivated. One thing we look forward to in Ottawa every year is Winterlude! The festival is a great way to get outdoors and moving, even if you’re currently in a slump! This year marks the 41st anniversary of Winterlude, Ottawa’s iconic winter festival. From February 1 to 18, 2019, Winterlude celebrates Canada’s Capital Region’s cultural, artistic and culinary diversity. This year, the flagship event is being renewed. While maintaining its beloved activities (skating on the Rideau Canal, snow tubing at the Snowflake Kingdom), Winterlude will also offer a more urban experience with new destinations such as the ByWard Market and Sparks Street, in order to encompass our beautiful city. Here are some of the highlights that are sure to keep you entertained and active throughout the festival:
Snowflake Kingdom
The Snowflake Kingdom is sheer magic! Beautiful snow sculptures and a host of thrilling activities await visitors in this huge winter playground that comes to life in Jacques-Cartier Park. There is a zipline feature that takes you over a snowy field and offers views of the Ottawa river, bridges and crowds that are to be expected at the festival. This is an additional cost but sounds like a great way to get the adrenalin going.
Another highlight of the Snowflake Kingdom is the game of Snow Snake. This is a traditional winter game among many First Nations. To play Snow Snake, a carved and decorated wooden “snake” is taken to a frozen snowy track. Players fling the snake down the track, and the one whose snake flies the farthest is the winner! This is a great way to immerse yourself in part of Canada’s culture and have fun trying a new outdoor game.
The ByWard Market
This year, the Market is a new addition to the annual Winterlude festival. The 32nd International Ice carving Competition will take place here, which is a favourite among Winterlude attendees. Alongside the classic ice sculptures, there will be a new event – Chimes, Interactive Art Structure, where visitors are invited to activate this set of chimes comprising more than 30 illuminated tubes and eight loudspeakers, triggering a transformation of the space through sound and light.
The Glebe
One of Ottawa’s first suburbs, the Glebe has a rich and fascinating history. The Aberdeen Pavilion, built in 1898, is the only major 19th century building still in use in Canada which stands at the heart of renewed Lansdowne Park. During Winterlude, the Glebe will host Unikkaaqtuarniq: Stories from the North. This event is an outdoor screening highlighting Indigenous filmmaking from the Arctic. This will allow visitors to experience films by Indigenous filmmakers from northern cultures while being projected in a theatre made of snow.
There are various other events and areas to visit throughout this unique and exciting festival. Dress warm, as the weather can be crisp, but we assure you – it is worth piling on the layers to experience the fun! For more information and the event schedule, visit: https://www.ottawatourism.ca/events/winterlude/