• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Jaime Says

wine.quiet travel.lifestyle.

  • About
  • What is Quiet Travel?
  • Destinations
    • Europe
      • Amsterdam
      • France
      • Portugal
        • The Azores
      • Spain
    • United States
      • Alabama
      • Arizona
      • Canada
      • Idaho
      • Illinois
        • Chicago
        • DuPage County
      • Indiana
      • Michigan
      • Mexico
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Orleans
      • Wisconsin
    • Quiet Travel
  • Life and Links
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
    • Previous Brand Partnerships
Ottawa Winterlude Canada Bal-de-Neige

Canada, Quiet Travel, Winter

20 January 2020

Ottawa's Winterlude Canada: What to Expect

Last Updated on June 17, 2021 by JaimeSays

When given a choice between something like a Mexican beach getaway and a wintery wonderland, I’ll always choose the icy locale. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent my whole life in a four season location. I don’t think snow and cold are reasons for constant hibernating. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy sitting at home in front of a fireplace and warming up with a nice Bordeaux blend. But if there is daylight, or even artificial evening light, I will often find myself out and about. That’s why my husband and I decided to spend our first anniversary somewhere where we could really get down with our love of all things arctic. The peak of winter fun and whimsy can be had at Ottawa’s Winterlude Canada.

The eternal flame outside of Ottawa's Parliament building
The eternal flame burns outside of Ottawa’s Parliament building.

How To Prepare for Winterlude Canada in Ottawa

If you are not sure where to start, visit one of the Ottawa’s Winterlude Canada Information Centers. These are located throughout the city. Check in the lobby of the Château Fairmont Laurier, as well as in Byward Market or on the Rideau Canal. The official Ottawa Winterlude/Bal de Neige map is available here. These bilingual informational kiosques are manned by local volunteers and can help you navigate Winterlude.

One of the modes of transportation to get around Winterlude Canada in Ottawa is to be pulled by horses
Free Transportation, be it by Horse or by Bus, is Available at Winterlude Canada.

No matter the weather, there can be light to moderate crowds. This is very dependant on where you are visiting from. Since the full time population of Ottawa is under 1.4 million people, this may be a large city for you to explore. Coming from Chicago, Ottawa was a breath of fresh air. The city is quite spread out, so consider using the free Winterlude shuttles available on weekends and Family Day. Winterlude even extends across the river into Québec and the city of Gatineau, so no one place was crowded enough to create crowd based anxiety

Major Attractions of Ottawa’s Winterlude Canada

Each year, there is a little something different that Ottawa’s Winterlude Canada offers to its visitors. It may be a new location to visit within the city, a new art installation or live show, or even a new type of treat. Not everything must be new however, and there are elements of Winterlude Canada that are crowd favorites and return every year.

Ottawa Sign at Winterlude
Not Another Soul in Sight!

Check out the Official Ottawa Sign

Take a chance to see one the official “Ottawa” sign located in the pedestrian square at Sussex Drive and York Street. Here you will find chairs available for seating as you warm your hands and feet by a large, fire warmed hearth. These “Chill Zones” are sponsored by Tim Hortons, a Canadian staple. On weekend days during Ottawa’s Winterlude, there are often free samples of coffee, hot cocoa, and even some nibbles.

An International Ice Carving Exhibition is Particularly Enchanting.

Winterlude International Ice Carving Competition

You can expect to delight in some of the most elaborate ice sculptures you’ll ever see. That’s because typically, the first weekend of the event is host to The Winterlude International Ice Carving Competition. Countries from all over the world are represented, with carvers from places like Nicaragua, France, and China making the trek to compete. To watch the pieces come together from a chunk of ice while seeing the progress throughout the weekend is a treat. There are over 20 countries that participate so there is no shortage of art to enjoy.

The Back of Fairmont Château Laurier
TripAdvisor

Enjoy Oversized Snow Structures

Head over the Border to Québec’s Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau to See Massive Snow Scultpures!

Throughout Winterlude Canada, you will have the opportunity to see various snow sculptures. Across the Ottawa River in Québec, there is the massive Snowflake Kingdom/Domaine des Flocons. Along with incredible structures built and shaped of snow, there is free tubing! (See the video above.) Some sculptures may even be in the process of being shaped by an artist, such as those lining the streets of The Glebe neighborhood.

Pin Me!

Learn and Enjoy Indigenous Peoples’ Cultural Traditions

One of the coolest parts of Ottawa Winterlude in Canada is the programming related to the area’s native peoples. We watched traditional wood carving demonstrations and videos by native artists. My favorite though, was the evening performances of traditional dance. Depending on the weekend you attend, there may be more indigenous peoples programming or LGBTQ+ programming.

  • In Byward Market, we caught an Indigenous DJ Set Accompanied by Traditional Dance.
  • Wood carving in Action
Check out the Various Artist Performances by Members of the Indigenous Communities.

Food and Treats

You can’t bounce around from attraction to attraction without working up an appetite. Luckily, in addition to the myriad restaurants that are all over Ottawa, there are plenty of food stands throughout Winterlude Canada’s programming.

  • Beaver Tail Stand on the Ontario Side
  • Enjoying the Sugary, Doughy Treat
  • Beaver Tail Stand on the Québec side reads “Queues de Castor”
  • Maple Syrup Pops Kept on Ice

What’s a Trip to Winterlude Canada without Hockey?

Since my husband does not ski, we tend to do a lot of ice skating together. Usually, it consists of going to an indoor or outdoor rink and skating in circles. While fun, it doesn’t compare to the amazingness of the World’s Largest Skating Rink. Each year, once the Rideau Canal freezes completely to a point that is safe for use, the entire 7.8 kilometer waterway is used as a skating rink. People use it as a means of transportation to and from work and obligations as well as a method of exercise and recreation.

Look for Signs Along the Canal for Entrance Points.

During Winterlude Canada, there is extra special programming on the frozen Rideau Canal. We watched youth and adult pond hockey tournaments, and even got to catch an “Old Senators vs. Old NHL” hockey game of retired, professional hockey players. It was such a treat!

Ottawa Winterlude Canada Pin
Pin Me!

We had such a blast at Winterlude in Ottawa. If you like winter carnivals or winter in general, consider taking a trip to Ottawa, Canada for their yearly Winterlude. The crowds are manageable, programming is free, and the hospitality of the city can’t be beat.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
JaimeSays
WSET Level 2 Certified Wine Lover, DuPage County Brand Ambassador. DME + Orthotics By Day, Adoring Home Life and Travel by Night.
Latest posts by JaimeSays (see all)
  • I Hired an Interior Designer and Was Disappointed - November 10, 2021
  • Why I Didn’t Share My Pregnancy - September 18, 2021
  • Awesome Planters for Your Home - July 9, 2021
  • 9 Must See Things to do in Columbus, Indiana - July 3, 2021
  • Garden Advice for the Newly Suburban Beginning Gardener - June 20, 2021
  • 6 Things I Learnedat the 2021 Maremma Toscana Wines of Tuscany Tasting - June 3, 2021
  • Cocktails and Mocktails I’ve been Making at Home - April 6, 2021
  • Birdwatching: One of the Best Attractions in Southwest Florida - January 13, 2021
  • My Endometriosis Story - December 8, 2020

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Related Posts

  • My Favorite Winter Pullovers Under $100

    I don't know when it happened, but I became a pullover fanatic.  Specifically, inexpensive pullovers.…

  • Winter Whites to Put on Your Radar

    In the winter, I can't help but to want a dry, full bodied red wine…

  • 6 Places to Visit a Winter Festival in North America

    Winter is my favorite season.  Partly, because I get to wear flats and spanx for…

  • 7 Spots to Take a Quick Michigan Getaway

    One of my favorite gifts to give my loved ones is the gift of travel. …

  • Ironwood and Ontonagon: Things to do in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the Summer

    Last year, my husband and I were supposed to go on an epic road trip…

  • Laurium Michigan: The Best Stops on the Way to Copper Harbor

    An incredible facet of Michigan's Upper Peninsula is that it's just as stupendous in the…

  • Now is the Best Time to Visit a Lavender Farm in Michigan

    Have you seen the pictures of miles and miles of lavender fields in Provence? It's…

  • Tabor Hill: The Best of Southwest Michigan Wineries

    Have you seen Groupon and Trip Advisor deals for tours of Southwest Michigan wineries?  Right…

Newer Posts
Older Posts

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Categories

Popular posts:

  • Whitefish Montana Restaurants: Where to Eat in…Whitefish Montana Restaurants: Where to Eat in Whitefish Montana
  • Are the Azores Safe to Visit? 9 Reasons Why You…Are the Azores Safe to Visit? 9 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Azores
  • 10 Things to do in Petoskey This Summer10 Things to do in Petoskey This Summer
  • 16 Things to do in Sandpoint Idaho this Summer16 Things to do in Sandpoint Idaho this Summer
  • 8 Things to do in Ludington MI8 Things to do in Ludington MI

Tags

anxiety management Architecture Bordeaux Charlevoix Chicago CityPass date night DuPage DuPage County Europe Family home Honeymoon Hotel Review Idaho Indianapolis Italian Wine Lake Michigan Life and Links Marathon Weekend Michigan Michigan's Upper Peninsula Michigan Wineries Midwest Money Saver Money Saving Tips Montana Northern Michigan Petoskey Petoskey Area Portugal Practical Tips quiet travel Québec South Loop Southwest Michigan style The Azores The Upper Peninsula U.S. Travel Where to Eat Wine Wine Tours Winter Wisconsin

@instagram

  • What is Quiet Travel?
  • About
  • Work With Me
  • Case Studies
  • Policies

Copyright © 2022 · Jaime Says · Designed by Small Shop & Developed by Bella Creative Studio

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT