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Winterlude/Bal de Neige
Category: Arts & Entertainment Festivals Festivals [Edit]
Capital Infocentre de la Capitale90 Wellington St
Ottawa, ON K1P 5K6
(613) 239-5000
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
6 reviews for Winterlude/Bal de Neige
6 reviews in English
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Review from Geoff L.
9/28/2010
If you have never been to a winter wonderland, this is the place to go. This was my favorite attraction growing up. Imagine slides and tons of sculptures made of ice. The workmanship is truly amazing, and nothing like it.
Also, if you love ice skating, the entire Rideau canal is essentially frozen and you can skate along the canal and between the locks. Very neat experience compared to just skating in a local ice rink or frozen lake.
Of course, the experience is not complete until you had the classic beaver tail (which is pretty much an indian fry bread) and put some nice powdered sugar on top. Add a cup of hot chocolate, priceless!!!!!
Highly recommend family, teens, and just about all walks of life to enjoyt his neat event! -
Review from Coy W.
2/21/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Winterlude has come to an end and this year was a lot weaker than previous years. This event is outdoors and family based but due to uncooperative weather some of the events just weren't as available as they have been in the past but it's still a fun family event!
How can you go wrong when a festival has skating on the canal, weeks worth of outdoor fun at Jacques-Cartier Park, arts and culture events throughout the city, ice sculptures and ice carvings at Confederation Park, a foodie event called Taste Of Winterlude and it all ending with Ottawa Fashion Week.
Bundle up or dress up and come see Ottawa during it's coldest month...it might have been a bit mild this year but you never know about the next. -
Review from Darren M.
Ottawa, ON
12/6/2010
I'm just going to say it -- I find Winterlude to be a bit overrated. Only a *bit* though!
Yes, people from around the world have heard of this festival and people fly in from across the U.S., Canada and even Europe but sometimes I wonder if it's really worth it.
Last year's festival warmed me to the idea of this winter attraction. The weather conditions are always a factor in determining the success of the three weekend festival.
The ice carving in Confederation Park are usually stunning and you could spend hours -- OK maybe just minutes because it's usually -486 degrees outside in February -- watching these talented artists.
The Rideau Canal Skateway is absolutely packed for these weekends and I advise most people to just avoid it during Winterlude or go in the evening. It's so crammed that you're always on alert and making sure you're not Zamboning anyone in front of you like small children or new skaters.
I checked out the snow sculptures last year at Jacques Cartier Parc and that's when I changed my opinion toward Winterlude. I actually enjoy the snow carvings more than the ice carvings.
If you're just wanting to skate the canal please come another weekend -- for everyone's sake! You'll enjoy it much more. But if you want to come to Ottawa and skate the canal AND see cool carvings and take in the other sights of Ottawa then one of these three February weekends are "yours to discover" as they say.
Book your hotel and restaurant reservations early because most hotels fill right up for this festival.
Kids will love this festival even if the weather is too cold or too mild but adults might be bummed if you end up with crummy weather. -
Review from Roanna Z.
12/17/2009
Ahhh memories of Winterlude put a big silly grin on my face. Freezing my arse off and loving every icy minute of it. Skating on the canal to the lake and eating a "Beavertail" (Homer simpson sound here)
Hot Chocolate and ice sculptures, and everyone having a great time despite their eyeballs freezing open.
Yeah, I think it would be a great way to avoid the Olympics traffic here in Vancouver!
*bonus having family in Ottawa ;-) -
Review from Amanda D.
Ottawa, ON
12/7/2008 4 photos
Winterlude seems to be one of the more "classic Ottawa" events held each year. For two and a half weeks in February, the Rideau Canal, Confederation Park and Jacques-Cartier Park become a playground of ice sculptures, snow slides, skating, concerts and historical and Aboriginal demonstrations. Vendors along the way sell hot chocolate, Beavertails, pure maple syrup and taffy and other treats. Admission is free and just watching ice sculptors manicure their impressive artwork is worth the trip. Skating on the canal may be more tricky during this festival since so many people come to Ottawa for the festivities, but if you come in the evening, you should be able to avoid crowds.
If I ever move, Winterlude will definitely be one of the experiences I'll remember when I think of Ottawa. -
Review from Amanda B.
Ottawa, ON
11/12/2010 8 photos
Winterlude/Bal de neige is always a fun festival to go to every winter. It's an annual event, usually for a few weekends in February, spanning from downtown Ottawa to the Gatineau, Quebec side. The OC Transpo and STO buses offer the Sno-Bus shuttle service to the four main sites. There are concerts, fireworks, competitions, sculptures, a winter playground, and of course skating! If you don't have skates, they have ones to rent. You can grab a hot chocolate or apple cider and Beavertail right on the Rideau Canal, and/or you can try the Taste of Winterlude, when many local restaurants will offer fine dining on a prix-fixe menu. The sculptures are lit up at night and so is the Canal, so you can still fit some Winterlude fun in after work. It's really fun family time, but also really great if you're just looking for something different to do. I've been going to Winterlude since I was little and I still try to go every year because it feels like you experience it all a bit differently at different ages. Sometimes it's fairly warm out, so the sculptures will melt a bit, but always come prepared for the cold and the wind, especially if you plan on skating or walking around.
