Winterlude is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of Canada’s distinctive northern identity.
Every February, Canada’s Capital Region is host to Winterlude, North America’s greatest winter festival. Fun is waiting for the whole family: the Rideau Canal Skateway, magnificent snow and ice sculptures, energetic rhythms of Snowbowl and Snowflake Kingdom, the biggest snow playground on the continent.
Winterlude is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of Canada’s distinctive northern identity.
Skate on the world’s longest skating rink – right in the heart of Ottawa! Marvel at the glittering ice sculptures or take in a spectacular fire show. Our mascots, the Ice Hog Family, are waiting for you in Canada’s Capital Region.
The historic Lord Elgin Hotel each year is host to the hundreds of visitors coming to Ottawa to take part in this unique and exciting festival. With it’s setting, overlooking the Crystal Garden in Confederation Park and steps from the Rideau Canal, the world’s longest skating rink, the Lord Elgin is the ideal vantage point to take in the best of Winterlude.
Not only can you look out your window at the illuminated ice sculptures, but you can just cross the park to strap on your skates for a long skate, or wander up Elgin to enjoy some of the best restaurants and bars of Ottawa.
Over the first three weekends of February (Feb 3 – 19, 2006), thousands of visitors come from all over to take part in the fun. The Rideau Canal, steps from the Lord Elgin, is packed with people skating along the 9 kilometer skating lane between the Hartwell Locks and the Downtown area. Along the way there are snow sculptures, heated change rooms, huts selling “beavertails” and hot-chocolate, and special performances.
One of the key highlights of Winterlude is the 19th Edition of the Crystal Garden International Ice Carving Competition located across the Lord Elgin in Confederation Park. From Friday, February 3 at 11:30 am to Sunday, February 5 at noon, professional and amateur carvers from around the world put their talents to the test. Cast your vote and you could win a prize. Ice-carving masterpieces are illuminated starting February 5.
Or visit the Sun Life Ice Café at Dows Lake – a nostalgic icy retreat, featuring crystalline sculptures and snow carvings that recall Ottawa’s Victorian era. Costumed Figure skaters, Victorian choir, interpreters and sleigh rides recreate yesteryear. Plus, learn all about the building of the Rideau Canal.
The Snowflake Kingdom, located at Jacques Cartier Park in Gatineau is the biggest snow playground in North America!
The Lord Elgin is also a participant in the Taste of Winterlude, a collaborative effort of the best of Ottawa’s Chefs. Many of the participating restaurants are within a short walk of the hotel. Lord Elgin hotel created numerous specials to help support all Winterlude festivities. Some of the Winterlude specials are:
Online Special – From $139 CAD per night
Winter Getaway Package for Two – From $199.00 CAD per night (1 night accommodation for two, skate rentals for two, buffet breakfast for two, coupons for shopping at the Rideau Centre and welcome gifts. A Winterlude map is available online at: www.ottawakiosk.com/winterludemap.pdf.
The Lord Elgin, built in 1941, is one of Ottawa’s landmark properties. Owned locally and privately, it has been completely refurbished, returning it to it’s classic and elegant roots, as a place for leaders and decision maker to meet and stay. Visit our web site to see updates for hotel discounts, vacation packages and romantic weekend getaways for Ottawa’s premier hotel. To learn more about Lord Elgin hotel, visit www.lordelginhotel.ca or call 1-800-267-4298. Lord Elgin is proudly managed by Atlific Hotels & Resorts, http://www.atlific.com/.