Winterlude Ottawa

Winterlude Ottawa helps, because the winter time in Ottawa drags slowly, like cold molasses from a bottle. It’s long, it’s often miserably cold, grey skies are frequent, and darkness hogs most of the early morning and late afternoon hours.

Yet, every year Ottawa warms up winter and extends the daytime activities by presenting Winterlude.

At least, she tries to. In the last few years Winterlude has been handicapped by unseasonably warm weather during the Winterlude weeks. Temperature change has reared it’s ugly head in Ottawa in February, and despite the wish for frigid temperatures ( I know, who really wants frigid temperatures? ) the Winterlude organization sometimes has to grapple with rain, above zero temperatures – warmer weather than was the norm back when Winterlude got it’s start.

It is typical of ice sculpture carvers to use a chain saw to rough in the ice sculpture, as shown in the photo above.

It takes place at various venues in the Ottawa area with a focus on Ottawa’s downtown core, and especially along the canal.

Winterlude spans three weekends normally starting in early February each year.

Skate to your heart’s content on the largest / longest skating rink in the world, Ottawa’s famous Rideau Canal.

But you don’t have to stop there.

Activities and things to enjoy include world class ice sculpture artists (when the ice blocks aren’t melting) at Roger’s Crystal Garden, snow playground, beaver tails (yum!), to celebrate Winterlude special price fixe meals at local restaurants, and that’s just to whet your appetite.

The official Winterlude mascots, the Ice Hog Family, are waiting to welcome you to Canada’s Capital Region during February every year!

If you wish to have the most current information about Winterlude visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca and follow the link to: Celebrations & Events.

Winterlude is held in various locations throughout Ottawa each year. The primary focus is the Rideau Canal waterway in downtown Ottawa.