The Rideau Canal is the world’s longest skating rink.  In the winter of 1831-32 approximately 2 000 soldiers completed this passageway to ensure a safe supply route from Montreal to Kingston. 

The green flags along the Canal alert skaters that the ice conditions are ideal, literally giving skaters the green light to skate safely.  For those living in the National Capital Region, the Canal signifies many things.  For some, it’s a healthy and exhilarating way to get to work and get their daily dose of exercise at the same time.  In the mornings and evenings, you can spot the rush hour commuters skating to and from work.  For others, it’s a way of enjoying nature without having to leave the city.  For most however, it’s the perfect way to gather with friends and family and enjoy our great Canadian winter, and there’s no better venue than Winterlude!

Winterlude/Bal de Neige was created in 1979 to celebrate Canada’s northern heritage and remains North America’s largest winter celebration.  This annual event occurs on the first three weekends of February.  Winterlude attracts visitors from all over the globe and provides entertainment for all to enjoy.  Some feature events include:

• Clarica Ice Café (Stop by for a hot drink and a snack and savor the enchanting atmosphere created by lights and crystalline sculptures.)

• Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides 

• Skating demonstrations (Figure skating demonstrations at the Ice Café by young skaters in period costume.)

• Nordic Experience (Bring the whole family to enjoy workshops and demonstrations on skiing, snowshoeing, winter camping and much more.)

• Ottawa Sun Winterlude Triathlon (Courageous athletes take on 8 km of skating, 7 km of cross-country skiing and 5 km of running.)

• Ottawa Renegades Fan Zone (Tour our Renegades replica locker room, attend an autograph session and get your photo taken with Ruffy, the football’s team mascot.)

• Winter Kite Flight (Come and see the experts fly giant kites.)

• Waiters' and Waitresses' Race (Skaters must master the art of carrying a serving tray between tables without dropping the bottle of water.)

• Enbridge Annual Bed Race (Teams of four compete to test their skills at navigating a bed across the finish line.)

• Family Channel Snow Days (Kids and parents are invited to go crazy at a ton-of-fun snow activities.)

Winterlude not only provides a fun way to enjoy winter, it also has a great economic impact on our

community.  The festival attracted an estimated 656 000 visitors with over 1.6 million visits to the various events,  generating approximately 143.5 million dollars in revenue and creating 2 100 jobs in the area.  Winterlude does have an enormous economic impact on the National Capital Region, however in times of budget cuts and fiscal restraints, the unlimited free access to the festival is still the best deal in town, one that you don’t want to miss!!  Keep your stick on the ice!

For a virtual tour, visit: www.canadascapital.gc.ca/skateway/index_e.asp

Claudette Moïse joined EMMIC (the Energy, Minerals and Metals Information Centre) April 29, 2002 as Head of Client and Portfolio Services after spending a year as Legislative Librarian at the Nunavut Legislative Library in Iqaluit. She has also worked at the National Library of Canada, the Department of Human Resources Development Canada and teaches in the Library and Information Technician Degree at Algonquin College.  Claudette has been part of SLA for almost one year and finds the exchange of ideas invaluable.

She holds a Masters degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario, has a post graduate degree from l’Université Laval and a Bachelors degree from the University of Ottawa.