Ottawa Winterlude festival

Society Travel & Tourism
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I am planning to goto infamous Winterlude Festival of otherwise boring capital of Canada.

Rideau Canal Skateway (one of the most famous natural skate rink on the frozen canal)
International Ice-Carving Competition (Ice Sculptures made by the top ice artists from around the globe)
Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Garden (polar life brought to one place)
Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom (bigggest sledding point)

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16297-16298-22877-29498&lang=1

http://www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bins/ncc_web_content_page.asp?cid=16297-16299-10080-100325&lang=1

Winterlude Facts
In 2008, Canada’s Capital Region celebrates the 30th edition of Winterlude.

Winterlude was created in 1979 by the NCC as a means of celebrating Canada’s unique northern climate and culture.

Every year, more than 650,000 fun-seekers take part in Winterlude activities. More than a third of our visitors are from outside the Capital region.

Every year, Winterlude attracts thousands of artists, athletes and visitors from across Canada and around the world.

The success of Winterlude rests on the support — both financial and in donated services — of the private sector, local collaborators, the media and the community.

In a 2004 survey, it was estimated that Winterlude-related spending generated a total of $151.7 million of economic activity in Ontario and Quebec — $82.5 million within Canada’s Capital Region.

Over 800 generous people volunteer for the NCC during Winterlude.

The Ice Hog Family, Winterlude’s loveable mascots, travel to the nation’s Capital every winter to celebrate Winterlude. The members of the family are Mama and Papa Ice Hog and their children, Noumi and Nouma.

The many Winterlude activity venues are accessible every day (except Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom in Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, which is closed Mondays and Tuesdays); however, special activities take place over all three Winterlude weekends.

Most Winterlude activities are free of charge, but registration and admission fees may apply to certain sporting events and shows.

Will also check out the museum.
Canadian Museum of Civilization + IMAX
http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/cine1eng.html

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

tujh ko qasam hai meri na anna hath khali
aatay huey ottawa se lana snow ki aik piali :chai:

:@:

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

snow pari hai sauga mein bhar bhar ke khoob thaali
tohfay mein bhejo gul ko uskay chaman ke maali

:D

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

^ you guys in the GTA seem to have had more snow this year than us here in Ottawa... not that I'm complaining or anything.

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

yeah, 111cm so far this month alone. And next two weeks, we're going to get 5-15cm every third or fourth day. Last year we broke several records or warm winter, which actually started on Jan 15th in reality. We had temp in double digits till second week of Jan. Then had a short and bitter winter for only four weeks. Again in the first week of March we were in close to double digits.

This year, the winter started early, but no snow in Nov. Then in first week of Dec we broke some 60 years of record for one day. Had 30cm in a day. Then no snow for a month, temp hanging between 5 and -5C. Now its going crazy since last week of Jan. We have been hit by major strom 3 times in two weeks. Global warming is bigger than what Gore is estimating :p

Specially Mississauga, Milton and Brampton are the most hit areas in Southern Ontario. There is no room to pile up more snow on the road banks. On Monday, we might need military here on the roads for snow clearning operation.

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

yayyYYY…more snow and…shamat :halo: :chai:

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

streets are getting narrower, and can't see much pass the snow banks (rather mountains) when driving...
Are we getting another one on Monday ??

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0696

yeah, 2-4cm on Sunday eve and upto 10cm on Monday. Thats not a big amount, but consider the rock solid 111cm on the road banks, where this is gonna go. When temp does not touch 0C or -3C with bright sunshine, these piles don’t melt. Instead we had coldest nights on Sun/Mon. So the mountains of snow has become rocky and even 3cm of snow cannot be plow or remove easily. The 10cm will be a tough task for city. Driving in mix icy and snow condition is worst. Thank God its long weekend, otherwise Monday would have been nightmare.

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

great we’ll be spending Monday shoveling the snow:hoonh: …but I guess better then going to work in such worse conditions ahhhh…can’t wait this manhoos weather to be over …i am counting days till mid March when hopefully we’ll see milder weather

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

And then it will be Guppy Meet season!

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

We were all surprised at how nice the weather was in January last year. It was nice. :@:

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

So went to Ottawa on Feb 16-18, on the way on Hwy 416, the scenery was breath taking.

Dows Lake Pavilion, the whole lake becomes word’s largest Ice rink that continues to Rideau Canal



Sunlife Snowflake Kingdom was lots of fun, with slides, sleding and snow sculptures






Rideau Canal Skateway


Casino du Lac-Leamy Crystal Garden (ice sculptures)







Parliment Building


House of Commons


Candian National Library inside Parliment


Art pieces and fancy ceiling in Senate hall



Lobby

Frozen waterway/dam beside Parliment, Ottawa river is seen in the background

Parliment from the other side of the frozen Ottawa River (Gatineau Quebec)

Museums of Civilization,Children and Postage







Karachi Minibus is also on exhibition minus deseal clouds.

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

Very nice pics!
so did u bring the bowl of snow? :chai:

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Re: Ottawa Winterlude festival

Its like importing Kallay to NYC :p

Only in Feb we had snow in GTA that was more than the combined sum of 2006 and 2007 winter seasons. Just imagine.

March is not showing any mercy either, 10 cm on this coming Wednesday.