2011 Winterlude Activities

The list of 2011 Winterlude Activities has not been released yet on the the National Capital Commission website. As in previous years, there will more than likely be some amazing new events taking place.

Mark your calendars, Winterlude 2011 is being held from February 4 - 20, 2011.

We will be listing some of our favourites here as well as what we think some of the highlights will be. There will be a link to the National Capital Commission website at the end so if you want a more extensive list or to organize them by date or location, we strongly encourage you to check out their website.

Thank you, once again, to the National Capital Commission (NCC) for planning so many amazing events. Also, thank you to all the companies and businesses for sponsoring the events.

To give you an idea of what may be happening in 2011, here are some of the activites that took place at Winterlude 2010:

Edible Winter Fort
Free
Canadian War Museum
Saturdays and Sundays, February 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21, 10 am to 4 pm
Using winter camouflage techniques, build your own model fort using tasty treats like marshmallows and sugar cubes.
1-800-555-5621

Portraits on the Ice
Rideau Canal Skateway (under the Bank Street Bridge)
Daily
Celebrating Canada’s winter sports heritage.
In collaboration with the Portrait Gallery of Canada, a program of Library and Archives Canada.

Royal Crystal Lounge
Confederation Park (Rogers Crystal Garden)
Fridays and Saturdays, 8 am to 11 pm, and Sundays, 8 am to 6 pm
A place where art takes many forms. Enjoy a hands-on experience — from sculptures and carvings you can play with, to an ice lounge where you can put your feet up and relax. Challenge your family and friends to a Rogers SmartGame; play tic-tac-toe on a large game board made of ice. Plus, play Rocket Recall, a game of memory, for your chance to win a weekly prize. Join us, and groove the night away, with DJs spinning the latest tracks.

Rogers One-Block Challenge
Confederation Park (Rogers Crystal Garden)
Friday, February 5, 8 am to 10 am
Awards Ceremony: February 5, 5 pm
One-block sculptures on the theme of "Myths and Legends" offer a glimpse of what professional and amateur ice carvers will create over the weekend.
Organized in collaboration with the Canadian Ice Carvers’ Society

Slippery Slopes
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom)
Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, 9 am to 8 pm (except February 21, until 6 pm)
Fridays and Saturdays, 9 am to 9 pm (except February 5, until 10 pm)
Zoom down the slopes at top speed! Fun and laughter guaranteed!
Sponsored by Sun Life

Sun Life Giant Slide
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom)
Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays, 9 am to 8 pm (except February 21, until 6 pm)
Fridays and Saturdays, 9 am to 9 pm (except February 5, until 10 pm)
Slide down the Sun Life Giant Slide — a thrilling family experience!
Sponsored by Sun Life

Clothe the Soldier
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom)
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm
A display where visitors can dress up in winter military gear, and feel what it’s like to carry the same load that a soldier does.
Organized by the Canadian Forces

Introduction to Fishing
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 5, 6 and 7, 10 am, noon and 2 pm
This introduction to sport fishing is for children aged 8 to 12. After the session, children will receive a certificate and a fishing rod. Teachers and parents can register children in advance by calling 819-772-4925. Please be advised that spaces are limited, and that registration will end at noon on February 4.
Organized by the Fondation de la faune du québec

Rogers 23rd International Ice-Carving Competition
Confederation Park (Rogers Crystal Garden)
Friday, February 5, 11:30 am to 11 pm; Saturday, February 6, 8 am to 11 pm; Sunday, February 7, 8 am to noon
Professional carvers from around the world come and put their talent to the test
In collaboration with the Canadian Ice Carvers

19th Annual ByWard Market Stew Cook-Off
ByWard Market (George at William Street, outside)
Friday, February 5, noon
Kick off Winterlude in the ByWard Market! For only $10, taste stew from several ByWard Market restaurants, and vote for your favourite! All proceeds will be donated to a local charity.
613-562-3325
Organized by the ByWard Market BIA

Sun Life Movie Night on a Giant Snow Screen
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Stage)
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 6:30 pm
A presentation of winter-inspired, short animated films. A memorable experience under the stars!

27th Annual Winterlude Triathlon
Rideau Canal Skateway (Dows Lake)
Saturday, February 6, 9 am to 11 am
Skate! Ski! Run! What could be more fun? Enjoy an 8-km skate, a 5-km ski and a 5-km run.
613-290-3238
Organized by Zone3sports

Dogsled Rides
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom)
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to noon and 1:30 pm to 4 pm
Imagine yourself on an expedition through vast expanses of snow-covered land in Canada’s North. The dogs will have a 15-minute rest every hour.

Giant Tiger Train
Rideau Canal Skateway (Dows Lake)
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am to 5 pm
Visitors can hop on the Giant Tiger Train for a FREE ride at any one of the train stops.

Sixth Annual Enbridge FREE Pancake Breakfast
Festival Plaza at Ottawa City Hall (across from Confederation Park)
Saturday, February 6, 10 am
Start off your Winterlude weekend with a yummy free pancake and hot chocolate. Sweet! While supplies last.

Subway® Learn to Skate
Rideau Canal Skateway (Fifth Avenue)
Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am to 4 pm
Sign up for a FREE 45-minute Learn to Skate session, focused on fun and basic skill development, provided by professional coaches from Nepean, Gloucester and Minto skating clubs. Register on the hour.

Ski and Snowboard Trampoline Show
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom)
Saturdays and Sundays, noon, 2 pm and 4 pm
Canadian freestyle ski and snowboard athletes offer a unique, one-of-a-kind aerial acrobatics show — on a trampoline. Audiences will be awestruck!

30th Annual Bedzzz Race
Rideau Canal Skateway (Dows Lake)
Saturday, February 6, 1 pm to 3 pm
Always fun and exciting! Money raised supports the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa. 613-233-1900

National Snow Sculpture Competition
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom)
The competition takes place from Tuesday, February 9, to Saturday, February 13, 9 am to 9 pm daily, with the exception of Saturday, when carvers will finish sculpting at noon. (For safety reasons, there will be no access to the sculpture site.)
The snow sculptures will be on display from Saturday, February 13, at 1 pm until Sunday, February 21, at 6 pm.
Presented by the Ville de Gatineau and the NCC, and sponsored by First Air and Empire Grill.

2nd Annual Great Canadian Beaver Cup Pond Hockey Championship
Rideau Canal Skateway (Dows Lake)
Friday, February 12, 5 pm to 8 pm, Saturday, February 13, 9 am to 8 pm and Sunday, February 14, 9 am to 3 pm
Fast, exciting four-on-four hockey action — with 30 teams from across Canada. Enjoy a special game on Sunday at noon for the Mascots on Ice challenge, featuring local celebrities.
613-485-0909

Live Ice Sculpture Demonstration
Confederation Park (Rogers Crystal Garden)
Friday, February 12, 7:15 pm and 8 pm
Saturday, February 13, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 4 pm and 6:30 pm
Sunday, February 14, 11:30 am, 1 pm, 2:30 pm and 4 pm
Watch as, before your eyes, a 135-kilogram (300-pound) block of ice is transformed into a work of art.

Craft and DJ Night With Spins & Needles
Confederation Park (Rogers Crystal Lounge)
Friday, February 12, 8 pm to 10:30 pm
Canada's premiere creative night out that mixes hip do-it-yourself projects with funky music spun by DJs in various bars, galleries and other public spaces around the country and beyond.

Sub-Zero DJ Series
Confederation Park (Rogers Crystal Lounge)
Friday, February 12 and 19, and Saturday, February 13 and 20, 8:00 pm to 10:30 pm
Groove to the chillin’ sounds of DJs in the “coolest” sub-zero setting

Canadian Ski Marathon
Saturday and Sunday, February 13 and 14
This two-day event features 10 sections that cover 160 kilometres of beauty and tranquility in the Quebec countryside: from Lachute to Gatineau, with an overnight stop in Montebello.
Information and registration: 1-877-770-6556 (toll-free)

Winter Games and Snow Volleyball
Jacques-Cartier Park (Sun Life Snowflake Kingdom - Place Gatineau)
Thursday and Friday, February 18 and 19, 9 am to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday, February 20 and 21, 10 am to 4:30 pm
Gather your family and friends for some wacky winter games and snow volleyball
Presented by the Scouts de l'Est de l'Ontario et de l'Outaouais

Gatineau Loppet
Gatineau Park
February 19 to 21
The largest cross-country ski event in Canada, held in Gatineau Park. Come and take part in the family activities of the 32nd edition of this event!
Information and registration: www.gatineauloppet.com, 819-243-2330

...And there really is SO much more!!

Please keep in mind that some of the above events are subject to change without notice so make sure to check out the NCC website for the most up to date information. Here is their website. They have the most up to date information, dates, times and locations of all the events taking place.

Hope to see you out at some of the events. Have a great time at all of the Activities for Winterlude.

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