“Dashing through the snow” Montreal is really a city like no other. Where else can you have so much fun outdoors when it’s -10°c out (14° Fahrenheit)! That’s right, I said fun. Hey, I’m just like you, eagerly waiting for the first sign of slush, longing for the moment when I can throw off my thick winter jacket and scream “its spring”! But after much investigation and actual participation, I found out that I’ve been missing out on some well kept Montreal winter secrets.
Now I said secret, o.k. maybe for me and a few others…Where do I start, well skating, not for the faint of heart or backside! The Bonsecours Basin has an excellent outdoor skating area, the largest in the city. Thousands of tourists and locals alike visit each year. Accompanied by music and bathed in lights, the rink features a different musical theme every night of the week including Jazz and Swing Mondays, Classical Tuesdays, Francophone Thursdays, Latin Fridays and DJ Saturdays. The ambiance is great! There are free lockers (bring your own lock!) and changing rooms available at the Bonsecours Pavilion.
For information: (514) 496-PORT (7678) / 1-800-971-PORT
For those of you who would prefer the indoors, the Atrium located at 1000 de la Gauchetiere building in downtown Montreal is perfect. Open all year long and boasting a ten thousand square foot skating surface to accommodate any large event or party. The rink in situated in one of the largest skyscrapers in Montreal . You can also reach it underground from the Bonaventure metro station. Saturday nights from spring to fall the skating area is transformed into a Montreal nightclub, with a nightlife atmosphere and guest D.J.’s. The lighting is great. Just imagine skating to your favourite song or perhaps I should say sliding along ever so gracefully! There’s plenty of locker space, changing rooms and restaurants. Don’t have a pair of skates? Well now you have no excuse, they even rent equipment! For information:514.395.0555. By now you probably think I’m fixated on skating, just wait, we are now off tobogganing. Mount Royal is the place. A recreational facility for Montrealer's for over 100 years. I guess before that it was more of an “accident” if you suddenly rolled down the mountain on your 2 hour trip from the north end to southern part of Montreal. But now we take great pleasure in running, (yes, I ran) up the mountain with a spring in your step, wide grin, glossy eyed reminiscing of all the conquests of your more youthful years. Jumps, ice, oh! The good times! Then you throw yourself onto your magic carpet, wood long sleigh or flying saucer and that once confident smile is quickly wiped from your face by a dusting of snow. Not just your face in fact but all over as you plummet down the hill. (O.k. maybe that was just my experience!) But, wouldn’t you know it, you get up and do it again. There is nothing more fun that the bumps, ice, no I’m talking about going down the hill not after! All kidding aside it’s a great day to spend with friends and family. Facilities include lockers, rental equipement and restaurants snack bars. 1260, Chemin Remembrance, Montreal , QC , H3H 1A2 For information: (514) 843-8240 There is nothing more Montreal or winter than a hockey game. The roar of the crowd, the amazing food kiosks, did I mention the amazing food kiosks? We even had dinner at the Bâton Rouge on de la Montagne before the game. Lots of fun and the sticks were flying, like a time held tradition the gloves came off at the end. That’s right it was nice and cozy in there no need for our hand warmers. 1260, rue de la Gauchetière Ouest, Montreal, QC H3B 5E8 For informations and tickets(514) 932-2582 Montreal Canadiens
Ever want to go for a sleigh ride in downtown Montreal well Lucky Luke Carriage & Sleigh Services is great if you need a professional horse and carriage for a leisurely stroll through the city or in the surrounding countryside. The company specializes in anything and everything that has to do with horses, Lucky Luke offers door-to-door service for any number of horse-and-carriage, sleigh ride or coach excursions in and out of Montreal . The owner Luke has over a decade of experience working with horses, he is an expert on all things equestrian and his successful business is a testament to his love of our four-hoofed, equine friends! It is totally awesome to be carried down a main street in Montreal catching snow flakes, warm underneath your blanket, the city lights glowing, the ever present aroma of… wonderful Montreal restaurants as you pass them by! Lucky Luc also offers Halloween, Christmas or Western themed party set-up service that is guaranteed to make that special occasion even more special. It is also one of the leading stables in the city, the majority of horses used in downtown Montreal and the Old Port are stabled at this facility. For information: (514) 934-6105. And last but never least one of my favourite things to do is visiting la Fete des Neiges. Île Sainte-Hélène, located in the middle of the St. Lawrence River , will again be home to Montreal's foremost celebration of winter for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Mother Nature's wintry splendour will set the stage as the Island welcomes visitors to this fun-filled family event. Located at Parc Jean Drapeau 1, rue de l'île-Notre-Dame, Montreal, QC H3C 1A9
I hope this has been a motivator to get off the sofa, step away from the fireplace, put down the remote and return the movies. Get out and explore the other City that never sleeps. Montreal is calling, so brave the cold and go have fun! Don’t forget to play safe and check the temperature of your hot chocolate before jumping in!
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