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Montreal's Igloofest Brings a New Vision to Winter

Published by Rachel Hart, Writer

Country: Canada

The Experience

White sandy beaches and tropical climates are not for everyone. Believe it or not, there are those who live for the winter and treasure the snowy months; and one of the best places for such people is Igloofest in Montreal, Canada. The Canadian province of Quebec is famous for celebrating winter with its Ice Hotel, its skiing, and its Winter Carnaval festival. In recent years, Quebec’s biggest city, Montreal, has devised its own way to appreciate winter with the introduction of Igloofest: a large outdoor party at the heart of winter.

Igloofest takes place at Jacques-Cartier Quay in the city’s Old Port. Being surrounded by water, the Quay is a few chilly degrees colder than the centre of the city, but few urban places are as beautiful; especially when covered in snow. In the party spans nine days and is open from 6 p.m. to midnight from Thursday to Saturday for the final three weekends in January. It is open to anyone 18 years of age or older, and the C$10 entry pass will grant you access for one night. If one night is not enough, the C$65 Igloo Pass allows you unlimited access.

Upon entering the wintry Igloofest celebration, you are greeted by, you guessed it, igloos! These igloos, made out of large blocks of ice, can fit up to 15 people inside, and between the shared body heat and the walls shielding the wind, these igloos are surprisingly warm. They might just be the warmest places in the whole of Igloofest.

Once you have enjoyed the igloos, it is time to join the rest of the Igloofest party by walking through to the other side of the Quay, passing the ice sculptures, and then straight into a rave party. This is much like any other party apart from the main distinguishing feature—It’s outdoors in winter, in a city rumoured to be the world’s coldest capital city.

There are no trendy, high heeled flimsy boots at the Igloofest rave (anyone wearing those left immediately), and the amount of neon snowsuits and face masks will bring a whole new meaning to dressing in layers. The boots are lined, there are snow pants in every colour of the rainbow, and the accessories of choice are gloves, scarves and funny furry hats. Some people are in costume, such as one ostentatious reveller dressed like a winter Cruella DeVille, and dragging a toy Dalmatian! Each weekend, there is even a “one piece contest,” with the owner of the best one piece snowsuit winning C$1,600 worth of ski tickets, a Piknic Electronik season pass, a winter jacket, or an Igloofest tuque.

There are many ways to stay warm at Igloofest, with caged fire places scattered throughout the Quay, and drink stands lining the sides. Surprisingly, it is impossible to get your hands on a hot chocolate, but you can order mulled wine or amaretto-coffee. And, if like me in my first year at Igloofest, your two pairs of socks are not enough, you can always warm up for a minute in the restrooms at the back of the party.

This year marks the fourth anniversary of Montreal's Igloofest. The festival is put on by Piknic Electronik, who also manages outdoor summer shows broadcasting the same electronic music each year. Thanks to winter-lovers, Igloofest has evolved from a small, two-night event, into a nine day party phenomenon.

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When to Go to Igloofest Montreal

Igloofest happens in the final three weekends of January, open from Thursday to Saturday night, and is a new festival gaining popularity each year. There are combination packages with hotels nearby to accommodate those travelling to Montreal from surrounding cities. The Igloofest is truly the best way to experience, celebrate and enjoy Montreal's infamously cold winters.

Odds n' Ends

Always check the temperature before you go. You might find an alternative night on that weekend which is not quite as cold. Conversely, if you want bragging rights, you might coordinate your schedule and go on the coldest possible night—but DO NOT dress to impress! Leave your trendy boots and coat at home, and dress in layers. Double up on socks and gloves, wear your warmest sweater, and do not forget a hat. You will have a lot more fun if you are snug as a bug.

More Experiences Nearby

Celebrate The World's Biggest Jazz Festival in Montreal
For ten solid days, a massive section of Montreal's downtown core is blocked off for the world's biggest jazz festival. Outdoor stages pop up in ten separate locations, and idling motors are replaced with live melodies as the streets and parks spill over with the 2.5 million peaceful music lovers that attend the Montreal Jazz Festival every year. The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal is the most anticipated summer festival of the city. You can almost feel the surging energy of the massive crowds from the Plateau: the neighbourhood just north of the downtown core where the Montreal Jazz ...1 miles away.

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Books and DVDs

Montreal & Quebec City Guide Lonely Planet
French Phrasebook: and Audio CD Lonely Planet
Streetwise Montreal Map - Laminated City Center Street Map of Montreal, Canada

Elsewhere on the Web

Igloofest - Igloofest.ca

Media References

Montreal winter music event Igloofest turns on the heat - Canada.com (newspaper)

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French , Italian , Japanese , Lao , Portugese , Russian , Spanish , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in Canada. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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